At the Terminal

It has been days since my last blog. I'm actually sitting by the laptop area of the NAIA Domestic Terminal, making the most of my P200.00 terminal fee using the free public wifi. I have mixed feelings leaving Canlubang for Cebu for my Christmas Vacation.

Some of my confreres have been asking me if I am getting excited over my two week vacation. I have been for days thinking about vacation. The second I exited our classroom after handing over my Metaphysics prelim exam paper I entered vacation mode.

Yet sitting here in the terminal made me think again. There's a part of me that wants to stay too. Perhaps I have become attached to Canlubang too just like the rest of the Salesians before me who grew up there. But still I want to go home to Cebu because I am excited to sleep at home again.

The NAIA Domestic Terminal has its own carpet-covered prayer room. Interestingly, the room is plain empty. There are three signs on the wall. One of which is "Sleeping is not allowed in this room." We had to pray our lauds but we chose not to use the prayer room, first because there are no chairs to use, and secondly, it's for public viewing with clear glass panes for walls.

Travelers are starting to flock the hall as they sit among the lined blue and green metal chairs while waiting for their boarding signal. Some are sitting idly. I surmise they are doing their own meditation. Others are chatting away with the person next or on the phone. Some of them are watching the television which by the way is airing a Sunday mass. I was tempted to remind them that watching the TV is not enough to fulfill your Sunday obligation.

But now I have to go. Brothers JP and Vince are getting hungry. We left the post novitiate early taking only a hot cup of chocolate. My stomach's grumbling and the food display is quite inviting.

Wash Away

Many people know that I am Grobanian by my musical heart. It's not only the voice but also the type of music and lyrics that moves me. One of the songs I love best from Josh is the song "Remember When It Rained". The passionate lover in me just resonates with the message of the song.

Everyone knows how refreshing a shower is, especially when under the rain. Everyone also knows how refreshing forgiveness is, more than any physical shower we can have. Each  moment of forgiveness brings with it a fresh ray of hope, a promise of a better tomorrow, and the balm of healing and love. There couldn't be any better medicine for pain than forgiveness in love.

We are all called to forgive and to love again. Forgiveness is giving that second chance once again with a resolution to make it better this time, in a way that mirrors how each of us has been given our second chances after we have stood up from a fall. But sadly, some people don't know how to forgive. If only they know the power of forgiveness, they wouldn't hold on to the heavy chains of grudge and hatred, or to the binding strings of fear and regret.

Real forgiveness, as per my experience, always brings a renewal of a relationship and commitment. There is a second fresh encounter of persons. In the same way that God promised to wash away the sins of Israel, forgiveness washes away the stains that kept us apart. Our greatest need is forgiveness.

Falling Rain

Listen to the rain as they fall
Sound like tears in the wind
They all fade

Freezing and burning, passing by
The cold touch of soft breeze
I am lost

In the silence of falling rain
In the mist of longing
We shiver

The earth cowers with every splash
Each drop break and pierce through
His stone heart

Soaked, despondent he turns away
Hide from the falling rain
Rest and sleep