Light

Frt. Michael Namba, SVD

One early Sunday morning, I was sitting in my room in my apostolate area for my catechism class when the lights went off. I was caught unaware and didn’t know what to do. I was trying to fix my papers without seeing it but I was bumped so the papers were scattered on the floor. I realized that I could not do anything that was why I stood helpless in my place.

The next Sunday, I was administering a house blessing when the lay ministers asked me to me give a sharing, “Frater, you are the servant of God, you read the gospel and give a sharing to enlighten us.”

Upon experiencing these two encounters, one relating directly to light and the other metaphorically, I came to a point digging deeper into the meaning of light. Light is a very special image Jesus used when He referred to His followers. Jesus called them as the light of the world. Jesus brings light to this world darkened by sin and brightens the lives of the people by cleansing the sins. We hear from Jesus himself in Jn 9:5 that “as long as I live in this world, I am the light of the world.” Light is an open metaphor. In the Jewish context, a righteous person can be designated as the light of the world. It is in this context that Jesus has called his followers to be a light and make themselves a reflection of God’s light so that others may see and follow God.

The highest purpose of light is to be seen. Light is not something to be hidden or kept in secret. Christianity is meant to be seen. Being a Christian is not a personal business but it is meant for others. Light is something that guides the way of the people. It is meant to illumine our journey in this world. And most of all, Christ must be reflected in our lives because He is the very source of light.

Gratuitous

Frt. Jaekel Solde, SVD

An ordination, be it a diaconate or priestly, is always a grace-filled experience with the Divine, a gratuitous one. It is a gift of God to those whom He wills and desires.

Last June 30, I witnessed and served in the diaconate ordination of my original class, Dakit Class. It was for me a moment of grace seeing my former classmates receiving the gift of ordination. Like any other seminarian, I suppose they have also their own experience of unworthiness of such gifts, in one way or another. But God’s tremendous love allows individual to overcome this “uneasiness’ deep within and transforms it into hope and optimism. Perhaps like St. Paul, abundance of grace motivates us to overcome our own weaknesses and unworthiness. This is I believe a manifestation of grace.

Grace is gratuitous because it is freely given by God to us without asking for a charge. It is given out of his generosity. More so, even if He knew before hand that the one who receives this gift is weak, still He allows us to experience out of genuine love. It is a reality which human mind cannot fathom, hence an incomprehensible vicissitude. This is a mystery of one’s vocation. One can only marvel at this tremendous opportunity that God has bestowed to those whom he wills and desires.

Although, the God does not ask something in return, it is imperative that the receiver must hold on to the very wisdom why God has gifted him with such vocation. In other words, the receiver must have a full knowledge of what he is supposed to be and fulfill the responsibilities attached to it. However, this should not be seen as burden but an opportunity of grace since we will be serving God in varied and wider horizons.

I wish to thank my former classmates for inspiring me, in one way or another to go on with my formation despite my weaknesses and limitations and the many challenges that awaits me. I hope and pray for the Dakit Class, that they persevere in their vocation and that they may fulfill their duties and responsibilities as newly ordained deacons, with humility coupled with God’s grace.

Call to Serve

Frt. Pelermo Suganob, SVD

I
So many people are seeking your comfort
So many children dreaming to play with you
Open your hands and let them feel embraced
Like the love of God for all the human race

Refrain
I have come to serve you my dearest little child
And I hope everyone give a selfless love

Chorus
Serve the Lord with total compassion
As His life was nailed because of you and me
He does not come to be served, but offered as a gift
So let this flame shine
Let your love be mine
O God

II
Break your heart and hear the crying sound
Listen to their music that scattered in the ground
Hold them up and let them stand again
With your humble heart, let the Kingdom reign
(Repeat Refrain and Chorus)

Coda
As you called us all for service, O Lord
May we all serve the gifts that You’ve shared
May we live in You
May our love for You
As you brought us all as one, as one
(Repeat Chorus 2x)

So let this flame shine
Let Your love be mine
O God

Co-Missionaries

- Ate Cha Bolloron
Kaarawan ko noon. Naalala ko pa, ganito ring panahon ng taong 1993 noong ako’y magsimulang maglingkod bilang isang co-missionary dito sa seminaryo. Para sa akin, isang malaking biyaya at magandang pagkakataon ang makapaglingkod sa pamilya ng SVD. Marami akong nakilalang tao. Sagana rin dito sa mga kapatid at mga kaibigan na laging handang tumulong sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Sa araw-araw kong paglilingkod at pakikisalamuha sa kanila, marami akong karanasan na kinapupulutan ng aral kung kaya’t patuloy akong lumalago sa buhay ispiritwal at tumitibay sa kabila ng maraming pagsubok sa buhay.

At bilang pasasalamat sa patuloy na pagtitiwala sa aking ng pamilya SVD, lagi kong pagsisikapan na maipagkaloob ang tapat na paglilingkod at maibahagi and aking mumunting kaalaman. Sa ganitong paraan, kaisa ako ng SVD sa pagsunod sa buhay ayon sa Diyos.


-Ate Ester Ramos
Paano ko nga ba nakilala si Hesus sa pagtatrabaho ko sa loob ng seminaryo?

Sa aking buhay, marami akong mga tanong kung bakit? Marami mga alinlangang ang nakapagpabagabag sa aking pagkatao. Ngunit ito’y nagkaroon ng mga kasagutan magmula ng ako’y pumasok ng trabaho dito sa seminaryo. Dito muli kong nakilala at natanggap si Hesus. Nakilala ko Siya bilang isang kaibigan, kakampi at inspirasyon ko sa paglalakbay at paglaban sa ganda ng buhay. Naging matatag ako sa mga problema at kahinaang dumating sa buhay ko. Naibalik ko ang dating nawalang pananampalatayasa Kanya. Naging malakas at buhay ang loob ko sa gitna ng mga problema. Napagsumikapang kong mabuhay bilang mabuting tagasunod ni Hesus. Dito’y nadama ko ang tunay na pagmamahal ni Hesus sa katauhan ng mga pari, seminarista at co-missionaries. Kayo ang gumabay at naging inspirasyon ko upang patuloy na maging matatag sa pananampalataya kay Hesus. Napakaimportante Niya sa akin mula ng tanggapin ko Siya sa aking puso at wala na akong alinlangan pa sa Kanya. Ngayon, hindi lamang sa seminaryo, isa rin akong aktibong miyembro sa aking parokya bilang tagapagpalaganap ng Mabuting Balita. Napakasarap pala ng buhay Kristiyano.

Invite ko kayo ha!

The Hesitant Caregiver

Frt. Gil Rochar Dulay, SVD

Last year, I grabbed the opportunity to join the SVD Philippines Annual Retreat for three reasons: first, to reenergize myself spiritually; second, to meet and get acquainted with confreres; third, to take a rest from the different concerns in the university.

I find the confreres very warm, welcoming and generous in giving their time talking about their experiences in their mission fields. On the third day, while we were having our holy hour, one of the old confreres collapsed. I rushed to his place and started to massage his hands to facilitate blood circulation. Later on, we rushed him to the hospital.

I volunteered to accompany the old confrere. From that moment on, my care-giving capability was challenged. He was x-rayed twice and I had to help the radiologist in keeping the old confrere in right position. He also vomited twice and it even splattered on my shirt and pants. I also felt vomiting upon sniffing the stinking smell but I was able to control in respect to the sick. I assumed that it was already the hardest part of being a caregiver but there was more.

The doctors soon found out that he had eaten something that made him sick which resulted to LBM and dehydration. Then, in the middle of the night while I was sleeping soundly, he awakened me because he wanted to go to the comfort room. After a while he called me, “Frats, tapos na ako but I cannot clean myself because I cannot reach it and my hands are trembling.” I was stunned but I could not refuse the old confrere. The next morning, he awakened me once more to seek help.

I was not at ease but I remember what my mother had told me to do such “act of mercy” to my younger siblings. Ever since, I was not ease doing it for others but because of love for a brother and a confrere I was able to do such heroic act of mercy. I came to realize that what if I will be in his shoes, will a younger confrere be willing to serve me? I realized that life is a matter of sharing what I have to other people in need, even in my very simple way of serving others. Such simple act of service if coupled with love will be great in the eyes of God. I believe that such experience is the best gift and realization I had during the retreat. God, in His humility, lovingly served the humanity.

Witness to the Word

“Witnessing is imitating how Jesus carried His cross. It shows to us that courage, hope and trust in God are necessary elements, especially in times of difficulties, in our missionary endeavors. Our endeavors will find its completion in the grace of God.”
-Frt. Gilbert Razon, SVD

“Witnessing starts from the language of the heart and that is love. God’s love within me and around me can make all things possible. It is in this love that makes me a desirous witness in His mission. This meaningful and joyful life of service to the Divine Word narrates a beautiful story, not only to my inner being but also to the people I encounter.”
-Frt. Tristan Sherwin Aromin, SVD

An Old Lady and the Eucharist

Frt. Elmer Hernandez, SVD

I noticed an old lady who was left behind after a Sunday Bible service in one of the barrios of our parish. She was teary-eyed. I approached her and asked if there was something wrong. I was surprised to hear her answer: “Hindi ako nakapag-komunyon kasi hindi pa ako nakapag-kumpisal.” What added to her sadness was the fact that that day was very significant for her because she was celebrating her birthday.

I sat beside her and intently embraced her. That was my immediate reaction hoping to make her comfortable. I assumed that she was aware that I do not have the faculty of hearing confession. And so I asked her to see the priest at once. Her tears flowed all the more. That was the only word I left her. She knew I could not stay longer because of my other scheduled services. I felt helpless and so I turned my back silently to proceed to my next schedule of Bible service in another barrio. I kept that in my heart and continued pondering. I had enough time to reflect because it was a long trip to reach my second area. It was four rides away.

The experience made me appreciate all the more the value of the Holy Eucharist and the reverence of the holy sacrifice deserves. Holy Eucharist is being celebrated everyday as part of our spiritual nourishment. Unfortunately, there were times when it becomes very ordinary in the daily structure. For some, it is of great importance like the old lady who has the rare chance of celebrating the liturgy. Unfortunately, it is not even a mass, it is just a Bible service. It made me grateful for the opportunity of receiving the Lord in the most Holy Sacrifice.

No one could underestimate the power of the Holy Eucharist. It could even transform people. God sanctifies the sacrifice being offered. We are just made instruments to facilitate the sacrifice. I thank God for the experience. I may not be teary-eyed like the old lady but there must be an inner longing for Christ and be disposed to receive Him in a worthy spirit. God deserves a well-prepared dwelling place in us. I should exert more effort to make my soul, mind and heart worthy of the transforming grace that flows in the Holy Eucharist.