#AshTag Wednesday

“It’s Ash Wednesday. Let us spread the #ashtag”

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates Ash Wednesday. This day marks the beginning of the Lenten season, or the 40-day period of fasting to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection (Paschal Mystery). It is the season where we are reminded to repent from our sins, to fast and abstain, and to do charity works for the poor and needy.

It is an open secret here on Tumblr and in my blog that I am a former seminarian (or more appropriately, a seminarian on regency or break). I studied in the Seminary for eight years - from high school to college, and I have been writing reflections about Lent and being of service to the poor and the needy since I was twelve (I entered the seminary at a young age, so there goes the explanation).

But there is something that I have to confess to you. Something that whenever I remember those events, I have a mix feelings of being ashamed and laughing at it. During my first years in the high school seminary, I look at Ash Wednesday as a punishment. You see, even the required age for fasting and abstinence is 14, there are no exemptions in the Seminary (for obvious reasons, of course). I treat Ash Wednesday then as a ‘hunger strike day’ for we are only served one full meal during the day without merienda. And if you personally know my eating capacity, you will know why I despise a meal-less day.

As I grow up and as I learn more in the Seminary, my perspective has changed. And I should, because Seminary is a place of formation - spiritually, academically, socially, and formation as a mature, young man with the direction to the Priesthood. And even after I left the institution last March 2009 after graduating in Philosophy, even now that I am living in the real world away from the comforts of her confines, I continuously live (and share) most, if not all, the things that I have learned inside. There are no clear indications yet if I would return and pursue my Theological studies but the important thing is, I should and I must strive not to forget those good things.

 



 

Last night, I planned to attend the Ash Wednesday Mass at our Parish (outside the UPLB Campus). But when my mother told me that there will be a mass in their office (which is inside the campus), I decided to go there since it would be more convenient for me.

The Mass celebrant is Father Thor (Yes, Thor. He may not look like Chris Hemsworth but he is one of the nicest, and funniest priests that I know), the Parish Priest of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish (the church inside UPLB). And I did not regret attending his mass. His homily moved me.

He started his homily sharing a stuff that he found on the internet. He said that a particular Christian denomination put up in their website that a mixture of ash and water burns the skin. As most of us know, the ashes being placed on our foreheads is a mixture of ashes (from the palms used on the previous year’s Palm Sunday) and (Holy) water. He consulted the Chemistry Professors of the University and they told him that yes, it is possible to burn one’s skin by a mixture of ash and water (he told us the name of the chemical compound but I forgot it) but the ashes used on Ash Wednesday have a very minimal effect to cause burning. So are they bluffing? Or scaring the faithful? We don’t know.

Why put ashes on our forehead? It is a reminder for us that we came from dust/earth and we would return to it after our death. Faher Thor told us that the mixture of ashes and water is very symbolic since ashes represents a lifeless man and water, the breath of God that created us (if you read the book of Genesis, this will be quite familiar to you). When God breathed to the earth, there was life.

So what is the challenge for us? Father told us that when the Priest (or the Minister) put ashes on our foreheads, this is a invitation for us to ‘return to the earth’. It is an invitation for us to be stoop down from our level, be ‘dirty’, and to be humble. After all, humility came from the Latin word humus which means earth or soil.

But how could we do that in these modern times where everything is fast and everyone is busy? That is where fasting and abstinence would enter. Fasting and abstinence is not just eating less and abstaining from meat. It is also doing less the things that we find addictive - television, alcohol, cigarettes, internet, and everything considered as ‘excess’ and not an essential. And when we have a free time after abstaining (and fasting) from these, then it would be the time to go back to the earth and be dirty.

And after all of these, during the celebration of the Easter Vigil (or the end of the 40-day preparation) and the blessing of fire and water, it is there when we would burn ourselves and walk to God, our savior. So basically, those who posted that a mixture of ashes and water will burn us, is in a way, correct.

Seminarians are known to Priests as omniscient creatures (it is a inside joke actually). I am guilty of this when I was in college since there are Priests and speakers who give us something that we already know and I (together with most of my brothers) would just fake our attention, pretending to be listening. I know, it is a sign of being proud and not being humble.

But I have learned my lesson today. Though I cannot say that I am totally doing it, I chose to listen and digest what Father has given us. I have learned that yes, we know things and sometimes, it is our expertise, but we should always be reminded. And we should see things from other people’s perspective.

The Season of Lent is about preparing ourselves. It is the period to give up something and be of service to the needy. Actually, as I have mentioned above, some of the things that we have saved during this season should go to helping the poor and the needy. Some would say that this is hypocrisy on our part, but should it be? I think doing something good at least during a particular period of a year is better than having done nothing at all. And as long as you know what you believe in, as long as you are steadfast on your faith, no hecklers, trolls, haters, and non-believers can shake you.

This is a period of giving up our excess. What would you give up? for me, I think it wold be extra rice. Aside from helping me lose wight, it will help those who are in need by giving them what I should have eaten for my excess consumption. (Lent, as they say, is the best way to lose weight and be of shape.)

In these modern times, is the celebration of Ash Wednesday still relevant? Yes. We need it more during these times when we seem to just think of ourselves and our personal gains.

Today is the beginning of the Lenten Season. Let us spread the #AshTag.Vaya con Dios!

Photo Above: A nun uses ash to mark a cross on the forehead of a believer outside the Baclaran church in Paranaque on the occasion of Ash Wednesday. The occasion marks the beginning of the season of Lent in the largely Roman Catholic country. (via ABS-CBNnews.com)

Elsewhere:

• The Word Exposed: Ashes - Manila Archbishop Chito Tagle’s catechism and reflection about Ash Wednesday. This is very informative.

"So Help Me God"

Catholic bishops embroiled in a PCSO charity fund misuse during President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration, take their oath at the start of Wednesday’s Senate hearing. They are, from left, Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, Msgr. David William Antonio (representing Most Rev. Ernesto Salgado), Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, Archbishop Romulo Valles and Most Rev. Martin Jumoad. PHOTO BY LYN RILLON

So it happened yesterday. The Bishops who were involved in the inaccurately-called Pajero Bishops faced the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee yesterday morning.

I was on the road with my grandmother during the senate hearing so I was not able to watch the whole proceeding. But thanks to Birthday Boy Manny V. Pangilinan's TV-5's 92.3 News FM, I was able to listen to the senate committee proceedings.

Sayang. I was at the Senate (at the Senator Pecson room in particular) last Tuesday for the Technical Working Group of the Sustainable Forest Management Act sponsored by Sen. Miguel Zubiri. Had the Senate Blue Ribbon hearing happened last Tuesday, I will be able to catch a glimpse of my Lolo Bishops (and makemano and introduce myself as one of their seminarians).

During the proceedings, I was enthusiastically voicing out my thoughts on Twitter and exchanging opinion with my former Political science professor, my former roommate, and people whom I look up to on the cyber world.

As expected (or was I the only one who expected this?), the Senators were calm on asking the bishops. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, in their news today, described it as a "reverential treatment". The only exciting part yesterday was when PCSO Chair Margie Juico was booed on the mistake of calling the Prelates Pajero Bishops when there was actually no Pajeros involved.

As usual, the critics of the CBCP (mostly RH advocates and who describe the Bishops as corrupt Damasos mingling with State-affairs) were storming the social media (Twitter and Facebook), expressing their disgust on the proceedings. Some said that the Senators appeared to be "too afraid" and "protective" of the Bishops. Others were bitin and did not see a tension-filled exchange of words on the session hall. While some describe the Senators as ass kissers of the Bishops.

I respect their opinion and protest. They are free to do that. Personally, I was alsobitin yesterday on the appearance of the Bishops. But the moment they started name calling and other indecent words to describe the Senators and the Bishops, that is just so immature and unbecoming.

Here's the thing: What more can be said by the Bishops? They have stated and explained their side. It is now up to the lawmakers and the law-enforcing body of our country to do their job. It is now up to the PCSO to explain their mess. After all, they are the ones who gave these vehicles to these needy Prelates. If it is found out that these bishops have violated the law, then in the light of truth and justice that they will be penalized, so be it. but don't shove in my face that thewhole Catholic Church (including her faithful) and all the Bishops are corrupt and are involved with this mess. It is unfair and illogical.

I am sorry for the rant. Even though I am a devout Catholic, a seminarian, and a Prayle-wannabe, I am not defending the Bishops. I just looking at things at a bigger and fair perspective.

And speaking of the bigger perspective, may we know who is the bigger fish behind this mess? In a Senate Hearing earlier this morning, former PCSO General Manager Rosario Uriarte repeatedly invoke her right against self-incrimination (which reminds me of General Ligot).

Who is behind these mess? Who are they protecting? Why not say the name for the benefit of all? Is it possible that the Moled One is behind this mess? Including the controversies on PNP (rubber boats and choppers), AFP ("pabaon"-issue), PAGCOR, etc.

We don't know. Mahaba-habang inuman pa 'to. Let's just wait and see.

But in the event that all these things lead to the Moled One, I only have three words for her:

Ibagsak ang Pandak!

God save and bless this country. Viva Filipinas! Padayon!

(Read more here: Bishops get reverential treatment.)

Mag-Divorce na lang Tayo! (O kung Bakit Mali ang Diborsyo)

Hindi pa man natatapos ang nakaka-high blood usapin tungkol sa Reproductive Health Bill, heto na naman at may bago na namang pakulo ang ating mga talentado at nuknukan ng galing na Crocodylus mindorensis na mga mambabatas.

Kesyo tayo na lang daw ang bansa sa buong mundo na hindi nagpapahintulot ng diborsyo (bukod sa Vatican City siyempre) matapos itong pahintulutan ng mga mababatas ng Malta, napapanahon na daw na pahintulutan ito sa Pilipinas upang "umayon sa makabagong panahon". May mga nagsasabi pa ngang isang malaking ka-ipokritohan ang hindi payagan ang diborsyo sa isang bansang pinapayagan naman ang mas magastos na annulment (Matalino ka. Alam mo naman siguro ang pinagkaiba ng dalawang iyon. Hayaan na lang natin.).

Nagmula ako sa isang liberal-ngunit-konserbatibo-tungkol-sa-mga-turo-ng-Iglesia-Katolika na pamilya. Ang mga magulang ko ay kapwa mga naglilingkod sa aming Parokya. Kaming magkapatid ay parehong nasa Seminaryo at nag-aaral para maging Prayle sa hinaharap. Kaya't ang usapin ng diborsyo ay malayo sa posibilidad na tanggapin ko at ng aking Pamilya.

Pero paano naman daw ang mga hindi Katoliko? Iyan ang madalas na katanungan ng ilan na palagi na lamang parang mga inasnang bulate kapag naglalabas ng pahayag ang mga tinatawag nilang Damaso. Ang usapin ng diborsyo ay hindi lamang usaping Katoliko. Ito ay usaping panlipunan. At may mga epekto ang diborsyo hindi lamang sa kabanalan ng matrimonya ng kasal kundi pati na rin sa usaping pangkalusugan, psychological at psycho-emotional.

Masuwerte ako at hindi sinasadyang nakahanap ako ng materyales para ipaliwanag ng mas maiintindihan ng nakararami ang aking punto tungkol sa aking pagtutol sa diborsyo. Nasa isang pagpupulong ako kahapon sa Seminaryo at hindi sinasadyang nakakita ako ng pahayagan ng Arsidyosesis ng Lipa at aking nabasa ang kolum ng isa sa aking mga iniidolong Pari - si Msgr. Ruben Dimaculangan, isang Pilipinong Pari na dating Ambassador ng Vatican City sa United Nations.

Bakit nga ba hindi mabuti ang diborsyo? Narito ang ilan sa mga puntong kanyang isinulat:

1. Kasi, kung merong mga failed marriages, meron ding mga bad divorces.


2. Hindi karaka-raka binugbog ang babae ay diborsyo kaagad ang solusyon.  Ang gamot sa pambubugbog ay presinto. Pustahan at mas-dadami ang pambubugbog kung bubuksan ang pintuan para sa diborsyo.


3. Ibinubukas ng diborsyo ang okasyon sa mga kabataan na maging iresponsable sa pagpili ng mapapangasawa. Lalo nitong ibinubuyo sila na paglaruan ang pag-ibig, lalo na ang kababaihan.


4. Ibinababa ng diborsyo ang dignidad ng kasal bilang banal na pagsasama. Para bang ang pagpili ng pangangasawa ay pagpili ng kalakal at hindi isang pakikipagtipan.


5. Ang diborsyo ay walang iniwan sa paglalagay lang muna ng iyong “lumang buhay” sa kapahingahan.  Tapos, susundan mo naman ito ng paglalalang ng sitwasyon ng bagong problema sa buhay sa muling pag-aasawa.


6. Sa diborsyo, ang mga abogado ay pwedeng maging bahagi din ng problema. Merong mga iskwelahan na naghuhubog ng mga abogado upang maging analytical pero hindi naman talaga upang makatulong.  Ang inaatupag ay ang pag-atake sa kahinaan ng isa sa mga partner o ng kalabang abogado at sa bandang huli iniiwan ng diborsyo ang naghiwalay na mag-asawa na matabunan ng utang sa abogado o sa problemang emosyonal


7. Ang diborsyo ay laging mali dahil pagtalikod ito sa sumpa ng mag-asawa na sila ay magsasama habang buhay. Maraming problema ang malulutas kung ang mag-asawa ay magdedesisyon na ibangon ang kailang kasal nang may determinasyon sa tulong ng Diyos at sa tulong rin ng kanilang kapwa (lalo na ng mga ninong/ninang).


8. Ang diborsyo ay magiging suliraning panlipunan dahil inaatake nito at unti-unting winawasak ang pamilya, ang kakayanang magtalaga ng bawat salit-saling lahi hanggang sa marating nila ang puntos na maging okey lang para sa lahat ang maghiwalay kahit saang puntos ng pagsasama sila andoon.


9. Mali ang diborsyo dahil sa bawat problema, diborsyo lagi ang nakikitang solusyon. Pinapapaglaho ng diborsyo ang halaga ng sakripisyo, pagsisikap, determinasyon, pagbibigay ng sarili, pagtatalaga at ang tulong ng biyaya ng Diyos.


10. Pagtakas sa problema kaysa pagharap sa suliranin ang kulturang unti-unting itinuturo ng diborsyo.


11. Pagkatapos ng mula hanggang 10 taon diborsyo, batay sa 20 taong pagsasaliksik, ito ang nagiging ugat ng kahirapang pinansyal ng asawang babae at ng kanilang mga anak. (Amberl, 1998; Bouchard et al, 1991:6; Ross, Scolt and Kelly, 1995 :67).


12. Kaunting-kaunti lang ang ebidensya na nagpapakitang ang diborsyo ay nakakabuti sa mga anak.


13. Nagdudulot ang diborsyo ng behavior problems sa mga anak, ng pagdami ng maagang pagbubuntis, pagdami ng gumagamit ng droga, problemang psychological (anxiety, loneliness, low self-esteem at physical (sakit sa puso,diabetes, cancer).


14. Ang problemang ganito, na nakasaad sa itaas, ay nakikita na kaagad sa divorce process pa lang kung saan pinagtatalunan ng mga magulang kung sino ang dapat sisihin, kung papaano hahatiin ang ari-arian, kung papaano aalagaan ang mga anak, kung kanino titira ang mga anak at kung papaano magpapanimula muli ng kanilang social network.


15. Kahit ang relasyon ng mga anak ay sinisira ng diborsyo. Nababawasan ang pagtitiwala nila sa isa’t-isa habang sila ay tumatanda.


16. Kaya nga, sa pagdami ng hindi malusog na populasyon, ay kasunod ang pagbaba ng pangkalahatang standard of living ng lipunan.

O baka sabihin ninyo, bigotry itong ginagawa ko. Ang akin lamang, ibinabahagi ko ang aking natutunan para sa ikabubuti ng nakararami. Tutal, may kalayaan ka naman na gumawa ng sarili mong opinyon at igagalang ko iyon katulad na rin ng sana ay paggalang mo sa aking opinyon.

Maaaring sabihin ng iba na tayo na lamang ang natitirang bansa na walang diborsyo at sa tingin ko, hindi iyon maituturing na sumpa kundi isang biyaya ng Diyos. Marami sa ating kultura at mga tradisyon bilang isang Pilipino ay nakaugat sa pagkaka-ugnay-ugnay at pagkakabuo ng Pamilya at nakapanghihinayang kung may mga pamilyang tuluyag masisira.

Maaari ding tingnan ng iba na walang moral authority ang mga Obispo ang Simbahan dahil sa samu't-saring kontrobersiya na hinaharap nito (Pajero Bishops, mga abusadong Pari, etc.). Ngunit tingnan niyo ito. Masasabi mo bang walanghiya ang isang pamilya kung may iisa o iilang black sheep dito? Masasabi mo bang dysfunctional ang isang angkan kung may isang Pamilya na nasira at nagkahiwalay? Hindi di ba? Ang iilan ay hindi sumasaklaw sa kabuuan. Mas marami diyan ang Obispo at mga Pari na mabubuti, banal, at tumutulong at naglilingkod sa Diyos at sa kapwa ng buong puso at buong pagkatao.

Na-e-exaggerate at nase-sensationalize lamang ng media (telebisyon, radio, print, at internet)  ang mga balita tungkol sa iilan.

Sila ang makabagong weapons of mass destruction ng kasalukuyang panahon.

Bumalik tayo sa paksa ng artikulong ito. Tama ba ang diborsyo? Hindi. Sa tingin ko, dapat munang unahin ang pinaka-ugat ng problema bago sugpuin ang problemang lumago na. Kumbaga sa commercial, patayin ang ugat ng fungi.

Hindi basta-basta ang pag-aasawa. Sa pagpili ng mapapangasawa, dapat ay naroon ang tamang pagkakakilanlanan, tiwala, respeto, at pagmamahal sa isa't-isa. Dapat din sigurong ituro ang tamang values formation na siyang ugat ng pagkatao o kung "magiging ano" ang isang tao sa hinaharap.

Edukasyon at tamang values formation. Hindi Divorce revolution. At siyempre, ang patnubay ng Poong Maykapal. Amen?

Ipinapanalangin ko na maging matatag ang mga mag-asawa at ang mga Pamilya lalung-lalo na sa modernong panahon kung saan ang patnubay sa mga anak ay tila napapabayaan na at angvalues ng mga kabataan ay kung saan-saan na nakukuha .

Pag-ibig at kapayapaan sa ating lahat. Padayon!

Renewed

Last Saturday, March 19, Feast of Saint Joseph, My family and I attended the annual Lenten recollection at our Parish here at San Antonio de Padua  Church, Los Baños. The Priest who gave the recollection was Fr. Jerry Juarez from the diocese of Lucena (and I found out that we graduated from the same semianry). And it was a life-changing recollection for me.

I am not used on attending this knid of Parish recollection. Yeah, I am/was a Seminarian for eight years but there is this negative  characteristic/image among us seminarians that I continue to practice outside. Being omniscient. Being a badass know-it-all Prayle-wannabe. (Lipa) seminarians have this mentality of "alam ko na yang ibibigay mo sa aming talk". That's why some Priests are jokingly saying that seminarians are the most difficult audience to have your talk delivered to.

But this year, I decided to make a difference to my usual, know-it-all, badass mentality. I attended the Parish Recollection.

Fr. Jerry was your usual komedyanteng Prayle who uses his wit and sense of humor to connect to the people. And awesome was an understatement to describe this Priest.

He started his talk by pointing out our nature/characteristic to blame God during our time of trials, problems, and misfortunes. He pointed out different (and exaggerated) anecdotes from his Ministry as a Priest and his experience with the people to further stress out his point.

He continued delivering his talk with lots of funny anecdotes, few magic tricks, and comic punch lines and ended it with the Parishioners praying for one another.

After the recollection, I felt a sense of being reborn, refreshed, and renewed. I have been living a life away from what is being expected of me (as a Seminarian) and most of his words just pierced into my heart. Tagos pare!

Renewed. Blessed. Ecstatic. I do not have regrets on attending that recollection.

I have been giving talks, recollections and retreats to students and I have noticed that my material and style were quite old and boring. Paulit-ulit na lang ang sinasabi ko. Parang wala ng bago.


Yours truly during my recolllection with Grade 6 students of San Antonio de Padua Elementary School last March 11.

After attending the recollection, I was reviewed by Fr. Jerry on how to bring Jesus to the people. Meron akong mga bagong natutunan pero mas maraming mga bagay ang bumalik sa aking ala-ala. Mga bagay na dati kong alam na pero kinalimutan dahil naka-focus ako sa ibang bagay.

Yes, I know these things. But I need to hear them again and again from time to time.

Kapag sinabi mong alam mo na ang lahat ng bagay - o kapag hinog ka na - wala ng pagkakataon para lumago, para matutong muli.

Parang basong may tubig na kapag nilagyan ng tubig ay aapaw at masasayang lamang.

Learning is a life long process. Go back to the basics. Find time to reflect. Listen even though you already knew the message.

God's message is always new and applicable for us.

May God bless us all. Padayon!