Reflections on a Marian Relic Visit

Tonight, our parish was lucky to have the privilege of the visit of a Marian relic. The relic will stay with us until Sunday morning. It is also so timely because tomorrow is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A great chance for us to venerate our Lady.



Okay, I know I'm a cry baby but I don't cry for no reason though and tonight as the relic of the Virgin Mary was being brought inside our church. I felt myself teary-eyed. I was overwhelmed with awe, I felt a longing, I have never felt before. A longing to belong, a longing to feel loved and cared for.  Overwhelmed with the troubles of life that I wanted to bring at the feet of our Lord.



The carer of the relic, Bro Mon, gave a brief introduction and anecdotes (sorry, don't got no other term for it) about the relic and some back story. He mentioned that it was destined that the relic come and visit the parish at a time when we are looking for a permanent home for the parish since the parish is living on a temporary space, graciously provided by the local water servicing company. That Mama Mary is here for us, to guide us where we need to go and that during the time when she was about to give birth, they too, had to go looking for a temporary home where she can safely give birth to Jesus. It is indeed a beautiful comparison, one which gives us hope that one of these days, amongst the busy and bustling area of Capitol Hills Drive, we will find a place where the parish can finally settle and Our dear Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, can finally stay and be at home.



Fr. Joseph, our parish priest, also gave a short catechism on what relics are all about and its importance to the life of the parish and of the catholic believer. About the importance of us being ready internally to receive the Lord and his promises and his will in our lives. My heart is filled again with dread, if I may call it that. Until now, I question everyday, the will of the Lord for me, if indeed I am following his will for my life. I am but human and I now I have my mistakes and I've made plenty of folly but how great and wonderful is God that He is able to forgive me time and again. Each time I fall, God gently picks me up and directs me, but life is well, life and sometimes things happen and you begin to question if indeed God wants you to do something or if he is pointing in another direction and it becomes even more difficult if the other direction is somewhere you don't want to go.



I leave my life up to God's mercy. My sins to his pardon and my future to his grace. I hope that I maybe strong enough to carry out, what he wills me to do.



** To God Be The Glory, Always and Forever **

Panibugho

Hindi minsan maintindihan kung anong nararamdaman,
Di alam kung anong dapat gawin.
Nawawala ang isip, di makita kung saan
Lagi na lang may balakid.
Bakit ba ganon?
Tila parang may bagay na palagi na lang pumipigil
Parang parating may kulang
May hinahanap na di masagap,
kahit saan lumingon, kahit pa sa likod,
hindi makita ang gustong hanapin

Marahil dahil hindi alam ang tunay na gusto
gulong gulo ang isipan
Tumingala at tumingin sa langit,
ngunit, walang kasagutang masilayan at masambit

Nagtatanong ang puso,
may katapusan ba itong paninibugho
May ngiti sa labi ngunit ang puso'y umiiyak, nagdadalamhati
kailan ba matatapos, kailan ba mauubos

Marahil ay hindi, marahil ay habang buhay
na makikpagtuos
Laban lang, laban
kahit pagod na ang puso, kahit bugbog na ang katawan
kailangan lumaban, kailangan tumindig
kahit na sugat sugat na ang mga binti at tuhod sa pagkadapa
kailangan suungin ang buhay, kailangan patuloy na sumubok
kailangan... kailangan...