Sunday 30 August 2009

Celebrating Death


On August 30, 2009, seventeen thousand people paid homage to Kashin the 40-year old elephant who was one of the main attractions of the Auckland Zoo for decades.  The pachyderm was for months suffering from arthritis, foot abscesses and skin infections and her health had gone from bad to worse. The caretakers made a medical decision to euthanase her, if only to prevent further pain.

How could an elephant gather such number of fans when it could not even speak about love or friendship? Yet she did touch many people’s lives. Since she arrived in 1972, Kashin filled a 7-year absence of an elephant in the zoo since the demise in 1965 of the previous attraction – Jamuna.  She even became more popular when a bank used her image and name to encourage children to “cash in” or save.  The New Zealand Herald had an editorial for Kashin stating that “it felt like there had been a death in the family.” The mayor of Auckland declared: "A truly magnificent animal with a big heart, a great personality and a beautiful nature has left us."

For love is nourished by respect, by care, by love. The zoo keepers gave her space and freedom sans chains and hard labour. Caretakers spent quality time: feeding her, bathing her, walking her and even conversing with her. Visitors mostly filled with excitement and joy, showered her with cheers and warm touches. It may have been instinct that made Kashin gentle, responsive and attentive to people. It was a bond established through decades of friendship. The caretakers mourned, while “thousands of small children - many clutching tiny bouquets, cuddly toys and glittery cards - filed into the Auckland Zoo to say goodbye to their biggest friend.”

If Kashin had a big heart, God the Almighty has a vastly bigger heart. For not only is He sensitive to those who are faithful to Him, He is forgiving to those who are sinners. So much is God’s love for humankind that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die in order to save us. “So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood.”(Hebrews 13:12) No love can be greater than for a God dying for His people. Sinclair Ferguson puts it: “When you look at the cross, what do you see? You see God’s awesome faithfulness. Nothing – not even the instinct to spare His own Son – will turn Him back from keeping His Word.”

People celebrated the life of Kashin and mourned her death -- and rightly so. But for faithful believers of Christ, life is celebrated, more so with death. “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” (Philippians 1:21)

by Mel Libre

Monday 24 August 2009

God Sows


It is amazing how God leads us to fulfilling our dreams and aspirations. When I was a child, I simply loved to plant. Gardening was part of our activities in Cebu Normal Laboratory School and one of the vocational subjects in Abellana National School – and I cherished those moments in creating plots, sowing seeds, caring for plants and harvesting crops.

During my college years, I continued my passion by turning the lot at the side of our house into a vegetable garden. I told my parents that I’d pursue a degree in agriculture, but I took a different route instead to finish the unfulfilled dreams of my mother (to be a CPA) and my father (to be a lawyer). But I still continued to maintain vegetable and ornamental gardens even as a family man.

I thought I had thoroughly written-off my ambition to obtain formal training in horticulture. But I was led to meet Professor Misael ‘Jun’ Diputado, Jr of the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre (http://horticulture-programme.co.nz) who was recruiting students for a horticulture course funded by the New Zealand government. I enrolled and learned about tools and records, soils, agrichemical use and plant structures from our caring and diligent teacher who flew in from Wellington to meet us in Auckland once a month.

One year later on August 19, 2009, Prof. Jun, who taught for years in the Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte, Philippines, sent me an email message congratulating me for completing all 30 assessments of the National Certificate in Horticulture - Level 2. With the training, I feel more confident in pursuing TawagAwit’s Sow&Harvest Year 2 programme.

Sow&Harvest was conceived last year with the intention of encouraging TawagAwit members to cultivate vegetables in their backyard and share the harvest among co-members. It is a practical activity grounded on Christian love and sharing. A few weeks after launching the programme, I met Prof. Jun. "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5) In His time, the Lord leads us to fulfilling our dreams and aspirations. All that is required is to follow His commands. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:7-8)

For in truth, God sows in each of us gifts that are meant to benefit all; meant to glory Him. Keep those dreams and aspirations burning in your heart, "for nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

by Mel Libre

Monday 17 August 2009

Standard of Giving

Margaret, a 72-year old woman in Masterson , New Zealand won one of the biggest lotto prizes at NZ$36.9 million in June 2009 with her two daughters and a granddaughter. She hugged the headlines again when in August 2009 she decided to give most of her winnings to charity. She said that she had no more plans for luxuries for herself apart from her long-desire to redecorate her former state home. The elderly lady said she would keep enough to live on and give the rest away.
 
One of the best books I’ve read is Og Magdino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World. What struck me most in the tale was the part when the main character Hafid, who rose from being a stable boy to an enormously wealthy merchant, in his old age gave away his assets leaving enough for himself until he died.
 
God wants us to be giving. The young man said to Him (Jesus), ‘All these things (the commandments I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have  treasure in heaven; come and follow Me.’ (Matthew 19:20-21) One author Randy Alcord wrote: ‘God prospers me not to raise my standard of livng, but to raise my standard of giving.’ By being able to detach one’s self from material things, one will have conquered the world and tasted divinity. ‘Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.’ (Luke 16:9)
 
In our age and time when greed and selfishness seem to have become acceptable attributes, Margaret is a shining example of charity and selflessness. By her gesture, Margaret has secured the key to heaven.

by Mel Libre

Monday 10 August 2009

Modern-day Marys


A columnist once wrote that the Philippines would dominate the world. She claimed that though it does not have the military might, the nation has a secret weapon that has infiltrated the family homes of other countries, thereby transforming their occupants into ones with Filipino traits and values.  Opinion writer Jessica Zafra in her blog continues to update us on the Philippines ’“no longer secret campaign for world domination.”

She backs up her theory with a figure: 11 million Filipinos overseas. She cites the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) especially the domestic helpers who care for the children of foreign employers. These children will be treated to Filipino teleserye, Wowowee and even adobo.

While some countries have changed their policies allowing Filipinos to work in their field of specialization, there are still many that seek out our professionals to serve as domestic helpers and caregivers. The Philippine government proclaims the OFWs as the new heroes – and continues to encourage others to seek greener pastures, if only to sustain the green buck remittances that keep the Philippine economy afloat.

The trust that foreign parents have for Filipinos cannot be underestimated. They know Filipinos to be educated, well mannered and hardworking.  But most importantly they know us to be family-oriented, thus we take care of their children like our own. Most of us know of yayas (nannies) who spend most of their lives caring for children other than their own. We have developed that yaya-attitude that makes us perfect for absentee foreign parents.

Mary was entrusted by God to conceive and raise Jesus. She submitted to the will of the Lord and did her task selflessly even if this meant seeing Christ die on the cross. ‘And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.’ (Luke 1:38) Mother Mary is the model not just for parents, but for all who have responsibility over others, especially the innocent, the elderly, the sickly and the unfortunate ones.

We are all meant to do the will of God; and His will is for us to do good deeds. ‘I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ (Jeremiah 29:11) When we are called to be domestic helpers or caregivers, God entrusts in us those whom we are assigned as patients or wards. We treat them with love and respect as Mary did for Jesus. We pray for theír wellness and protection; uplift them when they’re down and laugh with them in joyful moments. Other professionals as well can do the same to their employers, colleagues and clients.

by Mel Libre

Monday 3 August 2009

The Perfect Prayer of Cory Aquino


On August 1, 2009, former Philippine President Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino died peacefully with all her children surrounding her. A prayer woman, Cory was known to be a devotee of Mother Mary and regularly recited the Holy Rosary. As Cory lay dying, her family was praying the Rosary and one account said that she expired at the time when they reflected on the Sorrowful Mysteries. She died on the first Saturday of the month, a day dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

It can now be revealed that one of the most effective weapons Cory used against the coup plotters who attempted to oust her seven times was a special hand-made rosary given to her by Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the children who witnessed the miracle at Fatima. "Sister Lucia sent me this rosary which she herself made, with the message that I would be supported and protected in my presidency," Cory told Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ, her spiritual adviser. "Sister Lucia added that more sufferings would come my way," she said. "I know now that it was a prophetic message, as I had to fight back seven coup attempts to save my administration from power grabbers in uniform," Cory told Father Arevalo. "With Our Lady’s protection, I stood my ground and never left Malacañang, even when it was being attacked."

Ralph Pascual Guzman of Philippine Daily Inquirer wrote: "The nation has seen Cory’s heroism in her inner life, which she also attributes to the lessons she learned by reflecting on Fatima. She shares with the world three lessons that led to her conversion and that of Ninoy: 1) The power of prayer, particularly the rosary; 2) The acceptance of God’s plan in our lives and entrusting our lives to Mary; and 3) The offering of sacrifices to God. The former president lived a life of spirituality, humility and acceptance. She fought the good fight and kept the faith in her battle against colon cancer. In several interviews, journalists often asked Cory if she had met her quota of suffering. To these questions, she said she would look up to Jesus Christ, who suffered Himself and died to fulfill His mission. "Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things—with resignation, yes, but above all with blazing, serene hope," she said."

The outpouring of people to Cory’s wake is not surprising for she was an extraordinary woman who stood strong on her principles and knelt down humbly to her God. She suffers no more, for she is certainly in the company of angels and saints before the Almighty. Mother Mary has fulfilled her promise to Cory: "Devotion to my Rosary is a special sign of predestination."

One of the valuable lessons that Cory would want us to follow is to be prayerful; for her the perfect prayer is the Rosary. She would most likely tell us the fulfilment in her life and in her death the 15 promises of Our Lady. As we pay our last respects to Cory and pray to commend her spirit to the Lord, let us be reminded of the 15 promises of the Blessed Virgin to those who pray the Rosary.

1. To all those who recite my Rosary devoutly, I promise my special protection and very great graces.
2. Those who will persevere in the recitation of my Rosary shall receive some signal grace.
3. The Rosary shall be a very powerful armor against hell; it shall destroy vice, deliver from sin, and shall dispel heresy.
4. The Rosary shall make virtue and good works flourish, and shall obtain for souls the most abundant divine mercies; it shall substitute in hearts love of God for love of the world, elevate them to desire heavenly and eternal goods. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means!
5. Those who trust themselves to me through the Rosary, shall not perish.
6. Those who will recite my Rosary piously, considering its Mysteries, shall not be overwhelmed by misfortune nor die a bad death. The sinner shall be converted; the just shall grow in grace and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Those truly devoted to my Rosary shall not die without the consolations of the Church, or without grace.
8. Those who will recite my Rosary shall find during their life and at their death the light of God, the fullness of His grace, and shall share in the merits of the blessed.
9. I will deliver very promptly from purgatory the souls devoted to my Rosary.
10. The true children of my Rosary shall enjoy great glory in heaven.
11. What you ask through my Rosary, you shall obtain.
12. Those who propagate my Rosary shall obtain through me aid in all their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my son that all the confreres of the Rosary shall have for their brethren in life and death the saints of heaven.
14. Those who recite my Rosary faithfully are all my beloved children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a special sign of predestination.

by Mel Libre