A priest’s testimony

“Llegas muy temprano”, (You’re too early!”) was the sacristan’s greeting as I closed the door upon entering the Assumption church here in Carcaixent, Valencia. It was 7:20 PM and the weekly mass is at 8:00 PM. I purposedly came earlier for I intended to make the usual 30-minute afternoon meditation there before the mass.

“José, why is there no electric fan in the chapel?”, I casually asked him, as I was heading towards the Blessed Sacrament chapel, with my backpack full of groceries (I bought some provisions earlier). Outside the church, the temperature reached up to 38 degrees Celcius and I was sweating like a pig.

“Es que tampoco no hay nadie que viene a estar allí” (Because nobody comes and stays there) was José’s less apologizing but poignant reply. What follows was his comment that left me pensive since then until the writing of this reflection:

“Casi no hay nadie ya que entienda lo que hay allí. Piensan que es un cajón, un ‘armario’ donde se guardan las ‘hostiacillas’ para la comunión. La gente reza delante de las imágenes y no delante del Sagrario porque ya no entiende qué es aquello” (Almost nobody understands what is inside there. They think that it is just a box, a kind of “container” of the hosts for communion. People pray before images (of a saint or Jesus) but not before the Tabernacle because they don’t understand anymore what is it).

* * *

It is very sad to think that people do not understand nor believe anymore that inside that “box” we call Tabernacle is Jesus Himself, in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. It is Jesus Christ in Person, under the especie of bread. Jesus Christ – the same Lord and God that the angels, saints and all heavenly powers adore – is sacramentally present in the Tabernacle. He, Whom no angel would dare to look at directly without absolute reverence, is there inside the Tabernacle, ignored by people.

When we say sacramental presence, it simply means Jesus is really present, but under the mode of presence (appearance) of the bread. The “bread” is not anymore bread in its essence but only in its appearance. Its essence (its “whatness”) is the Body of Christ. But neither it is a symbol of Christ’s presence, like some Protestants claim: it is Christ Himself present, alive. He looks at us; He listens to us.

We may not perceive Him with our physical eyes (like we see the person next to us), but His presence there in the Blessed Sacrament does not depend upon our perceiving Him. “Blessed is he who believes even without seeing.” Our incapacity to perceive His presence physically does not negate such presence. Only he who has the “eyes of faith” can perceive Christ’s Real Presence in the Tabernacle. “For what is essential is invisible to the eye” (The Little Prince).

* * *

We, priests, should be the first to give testimony to this truth – not so much in words as in deeds. To give witness to Christ’s Real and Sacramental Presence in the Tabernacle, no argument is more convincing than the living testimony of the parish priest who visits frequently the Blessed Sacrament Adoration Chapel. Once again, St. John Mary Vianney is exemplar in this respect.

I can’t understand why a parish priest would construct an Adoration Chapel, adorn it marvelously and yet, is seldom seen praying inside it. Frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament during the day is not only a pious practice strongly recommended by the Church, but something that the priest should feel the need to do if he aspires for an efficient and meaningful priestly ministry.

I think, every pastoral activity – seminars, constructions, visitations, social care, etc. – should take its go-signal after various consultations with the Lord in the Adoration Chapel. After all, every parish project or activity does not – if we come to think of it – belong to the parish priest. It is the Lord’s initiative, don’t you think?

* * *

Of course, I am not insinuating that, perhaps, we are not praying for the success of our parish activities. What I am trying to say is that the order we are following is a mistake. Most of the time, we proceed with the activity; then, we pray for it. We should reverse the order: we consult first the Lord in prayer; we even offer sacrifices to ask for the His enlightenment; then, we proceed with the activity or project. (Prayer, sacrifices, action).

I’m sure, for whatever parish project or activity, the Parish Council is consulted. Why not consult the Lord also in the Adoration Chapel a talk to Him personally? An activity or a certain parish project alone already entails frequent visits to the Adoration Chapel. If we want parishioners to believe in Christ’s Real Presence, we, priests, should be the first to give testimony to this truth and show our conviction through our action.

* * *

José’s last comment struck me like a lightning: “Es que tampoco los sacerdotes aquí vienen para estar allí. Nadie da testimonio. Por eso, la gente no sabe con quien pueden identificarse” (Because our priests here neither come to stay there. No one gives testimony; so people can’t find an example to emulate).

Double Adventure: Zipline at Camp Sabros & Trek to Tudaya Falls

April 27, 2008

I did not expect it would push through. But after planning it with my two nieces and friends, plus in coordination with a generous family in Kapatagan -- the Osorio family -- we hopped in to an hour ride going to Digos on a Metro bus one hot Saturday afternoon.

Upon arrival, we didn't know where to take the van going to Kapatagan. Thanks to generous people around, we were told to take a tricycle ride going to the old terminal where later we discovered that the father of the Osorio family who owns one van, was already waiting for us. It was raining then.Another hour of waiting for the van to be filled up seemed an eternity. But we managed to keep the spirit alive with some jokes and humorous stories inside the van. The camera did a lot of work.

Finally, our drooping spirit was revived upon contemplating the verdant and lush vegetation, plus the scenic spots going up the hills of Kapatagan. Most of us wonder where the name came. We can hardly see "patag" around.An hour ascend and that brought us to a total of three hours of travel to the much desired place of the second longest zipline in the Philippines (according to the research of our "not-so-excited" companion). But we had to settle in the house of our friend, Bong, because the day was over. Most of us suffered from "itchy feet" and wanted to trek the dark paths going to the parish church where we paid an unexpected visit to the parish priest.

The drizzle had stopped, replaced by strong downfall. (In Visayan: "Mohunong ra nang taligsik kung mag-ulan.") But thank God we were already enjoying the native chicken soup courtesy of Bong's mother. The viand that night was of three kinds -- chicken soup, fried chicken & chicken adobo. Yet the majority never paid much attention to it. After all, not all had taken lunch (like Aries, Jason and Junel). Another bonding session over bottles of RH (just to warm our bodies), plus some acoustics (from our lead guitar, Aries) and smoke sticks, and soon we were driven by lethargy into deep sleep, taking refuge in thick blankets amidst the freezing cold of the night. (Well, this next photo does not picture what I mean...)We had to wake up early for the 6:30 am mass since it was Sunday, a day of obligation. During the 6:30 am mass, I was tasked to give the homily. Two of my friends came in the middle of it. Well, perhaps due to the cold weather...


After the mass, we were entertained by the great sight before us: the majestic Mt. Apo. Then, after contemplating the beauty of the enchanted mountain, seen from the terrace of the parish residence, we proceeded to what excited every nerve left unfrozen in us.

Breakfast was quick, we didn't know why. Was it because of the "batikulon" that one of us dreaded most to eat? But the ride on a 4-wheel drive multicab was not that quick. We got stranded in the middle of the muddy and sloppy road, that most of us preferred to walk rather than to dive into the mud! (This photo was taken two seconds after Jason's dive...)After the fall, what should be done? Be sad? Lament about it all your life? After one unintentional mistake, what to do? Forever lamenting something you don't even intend? Of course not! Get up and DANCE TO THE MUSIC, yeah! That's what they're doing...joining Bro in dancing with life. For after all, life must go on...to the zipline...
Uncle Father and nieces, BonBon and ChaCha...enjoying each other's company. What an opportunity for bonding!
You think we're in Baguio? We're on the way up there...we opted going there on foot coz the 4WD got stranded somewhere down there...
You can't notice the tiredness, only the excitement. And the camera can't wait.
Well, we enjoyed taking photos along the way, anyway. Then, suddenly there appeared before us the signboard that says "Welcome to Camp Sabros".

After paying the tickets, we waited patiently for our turn. We've learned that "patience is indeed a virtue". I guess, a few minutes ride on a 380m zipline or the 400m one is worth the two-hour wait! Don't you think so? Well, let our photos tell you the rest of the story.

The Adventure continues . . .

Tudaya Falls Adventure

SOMEONE FALLS AT TUDAYA FALLS. It was Junel who said: "to go to Tudaya falls is to die". Exaggerated, I know. But for the first timers in steep descent and ascent, it could be true...metaphorically speaking. For literally, one may just suffer from sudden falls...just like Aries, who in this photo just got up from the Fall.But we have to be thankful to Aries. Because of him, we were able to learn the lesson in mountain trekking: you have to take it seriously, especially the slopes and the slippery. Well, Bong seemed to be used to it (though it was his first time to come to Tudaya falls). Jason was just observing as Cha-Cha danced her "cha-cha" way down all the way.
That's my boy! Not even how many falls could dampen his energetic spirit. He stood up and proudly faced the camera with a renewed smile. Don't touch me, BonBon said, reminding Aries of his soiled hands, courtesy of the Fall. Well, everybody had fun, and that's what is important.
I don't know why. But every time the group passed by some boulders of rocks, we felt the urge to take photos. I know it sounds strange but we didn't have time to decipher how it sounds. The flash of the camera seemed to banish the lethargy and to bring us back our draining energy.
Everybody smiled and screamed for joy as suddenly the falls appeared before us. It has successfully kept us in suspense as we only heard the noise it produces. Now, it's there, said Bro and Junel. But for BonBon and Aries, the camera is more important.

They say, "you'll forget the pain once you get the price". All the troubles along the way seemed insignificant as soon as we contemplate the beauty of nature: the Tudaya falls. Have you seen that look in Aries' eyes? That says it all!"Hurry up, Bro," Aries seemed to say. "I can't wait to relish it!" Let's see what we can do with this gigantic falls. One can only enjoy its peripheries.
Well, Junel seems to be enjoying it so much. He's quite playing it as if he wasn't aware of the camera. Atik na, nel. Kumita na yan!
You see, even from here you can get drenched.
Going up takes less time than going down. This was the group's sentiment. And it was quite true. Of course, the secret of staying alive and kicking is the camera flash. SMIIILE!