The Human Spirit

In times of adversity, the human spirit comes to rise. The human spirit has ingredients such as courage, selflessness and faith that turn ordinary people into martyrs and saints.

One of those individuals who rose to the occasion was German Lee. He served as judge in the Regional Trial Court in Cebu, Philippines and later promoted as justice of the anti graft court Sandiganbayan. Justice Lee was a wealthy man who dedicated his life in service of the public as a member of the Bar and later the Bench. He wrote books and taught in the university. A few legal practitioners thought he was strict, but most knew him to be upright and fair. But it was not in the courts of law that brought the best in German Lee, rather it was in the ocean that he loved. So much was his passion for the sea that he became a reserve officer of the Philippine Navy.

To join his family in Cebu in time for the holidays, Justice Lee departed Manila in a passenger vessel during rough weather. The ship figured in major disaster causing commotion among passengers wanting to save their lives. Amidst the pandemonium, Justice Lee calmed people down and helped in making orderly the disembarkation of frantic passengers. He was among the last to leave the vessel as it submerged into the sea. It took days before Justice Lee was located. Those who found him were amazed: floating with a life vest safely tied around him, Justice Lee had died with hands clasped together praying to the Heavenly Father.

Courage is inner strength developed in the core of a person through strong beliefs, positive values and conscious experiences. It becomes the armour that shields the individual from the attacks of the enemy. "Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) Selflessness is putting first the interest of others for the greater good, for the glory of God. "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Philippians 2:4) Faith is the total surrender of one’s life to the omnipresent God who rewards believers with eternal joy. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

While the human body succumbs to age and weariness, the human spirit nourished with courage, selflessness and faith can rise above the lure of the world, unafraid even in the face of death. After all, death is the beginning of endless bliss in the community of martyrs and saints, in the company of angels, in the presence of God. "Be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it], and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10)

by Mel Libre

Homeland in Heaven

During the celebration of Philippine Independence Day among Filipinos in Auckland, TawagAwit singers gave a premier performance of the anthem I wrote for Tahanang Pilipino Aotearoa Trust, a charitable organisation focused on building a Filipino Community Centre in New Zealand.

The lyrics of "Tahanang Pilipino" read:

Marami tayo’ng mga Pilpino/Nagpunta sa ibang bansa/At sa sipag at tiyaga/Umunlad ang ating buhay/Ngunit hanap-hanap pa rin natin/Ang lupang sinilangan/Kapamilya’t kaibigan//Chorus: Dito sa Tahanang Pilipino/Magkaisa tayo/Dito sa Tahanang Pilipino/Saya at samahan/Para nä ring umuwi sa ating iisang bayan –Ang Pilipinas

Daghan kitang mga Pilipino/Minglawig sa laing nasud/Og sa kugi og hagu/Minglambo ang kinabuhi/Apan gihandum-handum gihapon/Ang yutang natawhan/Banay og kahigalaan//Chorus: Nganhi sa Tahanang Pilipino/Magkahiusa tä/Nganhi sa Tahanang Pilipino/Lingaw og hudyaka/Mora sa’g miuli sa atong pinalangga – Ang Pilipinas

There are many of us Filipinos/Who have left our native land/Through hardwork and patience/We achieved our dream of abundance/But we keep on, keep on longing/For the land of our birth/Of family and friends//Chorus: Here in the Tahanang Pilipino/We are family/Here in the Tahanang Pilipino/What joy, what company/It’s like being back home to our beloved country – The Philippines.

Of whatever nationality, a migrant while leaving the country of origin can never take the country out of the heart. The roots of the migrant are buried deep in the ground of the homeland and by residing abroad, he/she is merely extending his/her branches where his/her shade is needed. Jesus Christ who is of Heaven extended Himself here on earth to save Mankind. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) Though Satan tempted Him of the pleasures of the world, Christ remained true to His godly state of perfection. "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:11)

As a migrant’s life is founded in the land of birth, every one of us must remain with the Sower: God the Father who gave us life. "As surely as my new heavens and earth will remain, so will you always be my people, with a name that will never disappear,"says the Lord. (Isaiah 66:22) From Him we came, to Him we ought to return. As long as we remain true to the Lord, He will welcome us back to our homeland in heaven. "But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:16)

by Mel Libre

Iron Man

Accustomed to having domestic helpers in the Philippines, most Filipinos who reside in foreign lands feel burdened with household chores waiting for them after work hours. Residing in Auckland, New Zealand, my family has managed to carry out the tasks at home through division of labour. Thus when I learned that a film on Marvel Comic hero Iron Man was released in cinema houses, I was excited. You see, I carry the name “Iron Man” for myself as far as work at home is concerned: I may not have superpowers to save the world, but I do keep all the clothing of family members tidy and well pressed. My weekly assignment is to iron clothes, pants and others.

Last Wednesday, I did my usual job but had to spend more than an extra hour getting things done, as most of the clothes were not totally dry. The sun had been hidden for days as clouds poured rain endlessly.  It was obvious that clothes hung out and dried by the sun are far easier to iron than those partially wet. But even with dry ones, it is difficult to iron certain areas like the upper part of sleeves and the hip portion of pants. But the most demanding are the long towels and thick blankets.

By analogy, people ought to be out in the sun – interacting with fellow beings. God washes us of our sins upon baptism and sends us into the world. “(A)nd this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21) We are to become light to others with our words and our deeds. “You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5) But there are many occasions that our brightness and warmth are dimmed with sins thrown our way by Satan. “Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong! It is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the person on whose account or by whom the temptation comes!” (Matthew 18:7) 

The more sins we are contaminated with, the more that we distance ourselves from God. “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12) But what is most wonderful is that God is a forgiving God.  “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” (Micah 7:18) For it is His desire that when we come before Him we are in our Sunday’s best, not only from without, but more importantly from within. “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

by Mel Libre

Transcendental Music

The ensemble sang in a foreign language, yet the audience sat still enthralled by its performance. On May 28, 2008, the twenty-six individuals on the sparse stage of the Auckland Town Hall had come from South Africa for the New Zealand leg of their world concert tour, "African Spirit". The Soweto Gospel Choir interpreted gospel and inspirational music in the African language in some instances acapella and more often embroidered with chanting and drum beating spiced up with dancing.

Barely five years old, the congregation consisting of vocalists handpicked from different parishes in the rainbow nation has received acclaim with its performances and music the most prominent honour being two Grammy Awards for two released albums. At the end of each number, the viewing public responded with more than a generous applause, with shouts of joy and whistles of appreciation. The songs filled the minds, loosened the feet and pierced the hearts. The lyrics (90% African) just seemed to be translated by an invisible interpreter warming the souls of those touched.

Music is a gift from God. He is the greatest of all composers and the most delightful of all singers. God the Father told Moses: "Write down the words of this song, and teach it to the people of Israel. Help them learn it." (Deuteronomy 31:19) God sang. "For the Lord your God is living among you…He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." (Zephaniah 3:17) Most importantly, God delights when we sing to Him. "Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!" (Psalm 147:1)

When people sing gospel and inspirational songs, they become instruments of the Composer. The Father sent Jesus, the Conductor, amongst His people to show us the Way to His Kingdom. The Holy Spirit is the Arranger who gives us the enlightenment (like providing notes to a composition) to ascertain we keep ourselves to the groove. In truth, we are part of God’s Musical Masterpiece.

So long as we listen intently to His Music or play perfect the notes in His Symphony, we are assured of being with the Lord in Heaven where the sweetest universal songs fill our spirits without end.

by Mel Libre

Follow the Footsteps

"Hello, Boonee, Boonee!," the elderly priest warmly greeted my wife, Debbie, late one evening in a church in Bronx, New York. From 1975-1978, Debbie was assigned as a working student in the President’s Office of the Colegio de San Jose Recoletos in Cebu where Fr Blas Montenegro OAR served as chief executive officer. It was 1995 and seventeen years had passed since Fr Blas had accomplished his tasks including the conversion of the college into a university, and here he was setting up dinner for his guest from the Philippines. As she looked around, Debbie realised that the austere environment was totally different from the comfortable and air-conditioned office in the school. There were no secretaries or assistants in the parish; so the 70-years plus clergy had to attend not only to preparing food, but all that was needed to make the church fully functional in its spiritual and pastoral works. Fr Blas said he visited families in the crime-infested community, where there was distrust among neighbours and where survival was a daily challenge. "Why have you chosen this place, Father?" Debbie asked. "This is why I wanted to be a priest in the first place, to live a frugal life, to serve the needy, to share God’s love to the least of our brethren, to follow the footsteps of Jesus," replied God’s servant whose face glowed with joy and contentment. Take note of this account: Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and (the) last will be first." (Mark 10:28-31) While there is nothing wrong in seeking a life of luxury, it must never be the primary concern in our lives. "Let love be your highest goal!" (1 Corinthians 14:1) Loving one another is not just about feeling concerned for others, but of actualising such feeling by treating others fairly, by respecting other’s rights and by caring and giving especially to the most vulnerable. The less we think of our own needs, the more that God takes care of us not only materially, but most importantly spiritually. "To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance." (Matthew 25:29) As Fr Blas fondly called Debbie "Boonee, Boonee" after the thin fish in the aquarium at the President’s Office, the Lord will lovingly call us by our nick names when we have fulfilled His work for us in this earth. by Mel Libre