I don't know if its the climate or it's just by coincidence but it's been a very sunny Christmas this year. I am typing away at beach-side house here in Argao, Cebu, where, to my happy surprise, is connected to the internet. Fr. Denden has invited Salesians and aspirants alike to this overnight vacation in this southern Cebu town.
With me are Frs. Denden and Randy, and Bros. Louie and Francis. With us Salesians are aspirants Melo, Jade, God (yes, that's his name), Mark, Davon, and pre-novice James. The younger aspirants are now enjoying their dip in the pool while I hide in the shelter of the house, sitting in the balcony with a view of the sea, the beautiful landscape of Dalaguete, and of the pool. Beside me is Fr. Randy reading his Bo Sanchez book and preparing his homily for his next mass.
Christmas has been bright and sunny, inside and out. It doesn't feel like white but filled with light (and that's a rhyme!)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Cozy Shell
Some people might notice, but I'm shying away from the cyberworld these days. This post actually breaks that silence. I felt that I somehow needed to go back to my cozy shell, to my comfort zone, during this vacation. The effects have been wonderful. Silencing did bring me back to my senses. Think of entering safe mode in a Windows session.
The past months have been quite a ride for me. I wanted to integrate all my experiences, especially of becoming a Salesian. Seven months and counting, I'm still feeling my way through becoming a religious, a holy religious.
Driving with my great and loyal friend, Celso, through the streets of Pasil, I shared how I used to run and play in these streets just like the little boys who owns the street giving the drivers a hard time navigating the Pasil labyrinth. Not a long time ago, I was enjoying the same paradise with these kids, yet a turnabout slowly happened in my life without me noticing it, and I find myself among religious men sharing the spirit of Don Bosco.
From Pasil streets to the convent, I marvel at such grace by which God has picked me up from among the ordinary to become a sign of His love. From a family of three to the Salesian Family, and to the embrace of the many young people I have encountered, I have never felt so much love like this.
I needed to take it in and appreciate this road I am taking. I needed to reconcile the young boy from Pasil to the young man who took his religious vows seven months ago. I cannot help but be thankful.
The past months have been quite a ride for me. I wanted to integrate all my experiences, especially of becoming a Salesian. Seven months and counting, I'm still feeling my way through becoming a religious, a holy religious.
Driving with my great and loyal friend, Celso, through the streets of Pasil, I shared how I used to run and play in these streets just like the little boys who owns the street giving the drivers a hard time navigating the Pasil labyrinth. Not a long time ago, I was enjoying the same paradise with these kids, yet a turnabout slowly happened in my life without me noticing it, and I find myself among religious men sharing the spirit of Don Bosco.
From Pasil streets to the convent, I marvel at such grace by which God has picked me up from among the ordinary to become a sign of His love. From a family of three to the Salesian Family, and to the embrace of the many young people I have encountered, I have never felt so much love like this.
I needed to take it in and appreciate this road I am taking. I needed to reconcile the young boy from Pasil to the young man who took his religious vows seven months ago. I cannot help but be thankful.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
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.
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.
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