When the world seems far beyond me, And I have no place to go, When my life seems cold and empty, And I feel I’m all alone, Then a song that I remember Helps to ease my troubled mind...
There are so many
things that's happening around the world that it's almost impossible to keep
up. Some are simply caught up in the immediate things like work or business or
pleasure while some are busy supposedly with things that matter to us all, like
the environment, good governance, educational opportunities, caring for the
family and household and so on. So many things call for our attention these
days that we might be forgetting the one important person who made all these
things possible for us.
This world seems to
forget him and I think it's right that we should remember just how blessed we
are with all the things that we need to make this world a better place. The
video I'm presenting is a compilation of pictures of this one awesome man who
made a huge impact in the lives of humanity. I remember someone telling me that
love songs can actually be addressed or dedicated to God, whether as man loving
him or God loving us. This song is not a song I sang with the choir, but it has been one of my favorite
love songs--Because You Loved Me. I like this song because it speaks of someone
selfless and doing everything for the sake of his beloved one. Well, I could
only think of one person who is like that for all times--Jesus Christ.
I hope you'd
understand the progression of the pictures. It may not be completely in sync
with the song, but it is my hope that the message will get across. Let us
indeed thank God for such an incredible gift to humanity!
It is only now that I've had the time to write a blog. I guess when I do a week's training, I realize that I haven't got the time to write and organize my blog. Last week was Valentine's week--a week dedicated to love and friendship. So how have I been during that week?
I admit that I am an impatient person. I even get impatient with myself--not finding the file I'm looking for in my computer at one time led me to a childish tantrum. At that time, I was alone in the room. As my trainees came in, they did see the distress in my face, but the tantrum was over by then. If I get impatient with myself, so much more with other people.
Last Friday, I had a sinking feeling of sadness. Yes, I pray to the Lord everyday. But I'm saddened by the fact that how I am in prayer is not how I am in practice. I may be "holier than thou" in front of the Lord in a chapel or church. But where is the love when I'm out there facing different types of people and being impatient when they do something that's not to my liking? I was saddened by the fact that I am angry at some people and I am impatient with others. Realizing that I myself am imperfect and no better than any human being, why am I being so impatient with others? Have I lost the love of Christ?
I struggle with my impatience everyday. It's more of a spiritual struggle and times like these call for prayers--not only my own--of other people, especially those who are close to me. Today, I reflect on the importance of praying for other people. I remember being told that praying for others is actually quite powerful. The inspiration for this song came from the Gospel according to St. Matthew 18: 19-20. I know I couldn't face my struggles alone. With God--and others praying for me and I for them--every struggle can be overcome.
ESTO LES DIGO
Esto les digo, 'This I say to you, si dos de ustedes se ponen, if two of you are put, se ponen de acuerdo aquí en, are put in accord here in, en la tierra para pedir, in the earth to ask, pedir algo en oración, to ask anything in prayer, mi padre que está en el cielo, my Father which is in heaven, se lo dará. will give it to you. Porque donde dos o tres se reúnen en mi nombre, Because where two or three are gathered in my name, allí estoy yo, there am I, en medio de ellos. in the midst of them.'
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” (Mark 1:41)
Sometimes it's disheartening to listen or read the news. You'll hear public servants getting impeached, politicians simply grandstanding during impeachment trial proceedings, rumors about who's who and who's the president dating these days. Then lately you've heard the devastating earthquake that struck our brothers and sisters in Negros Oriental. Then, you have your own personal problems to take care of--the primary needs of your family, the duties you need to fulfill at work, the everyday commute, and to some, the demands of serving your community.
Jesus Christ had a lot to do when he did his ministry. During such times, he healed many people who are sick. In today's Gospel, he cured a man who had leprosy. The passage above is truly something that shows the Godliness and humanity of our Lord--he was moved with pity. It was compassion and love that made him do the healing. But after this episode, despite asking the man who was cured not to spread it around, the man broadcasted it through out the city. Jesus became popular but he doesn't need or want that popularity at all. And despite going to a deserted place to rest and pray, people eventually found him and he would serve them still. But are the people only after his healing and not appreciating his compassion for them?
How many of us take time to be compassionate towards one another? Sometimes, we are too focused on the "bad news" or our own problems that sometimes we tend to forget what also matters--to love one another as Jesus loved us. When we do our work, do we do it whole-heartedly, not just out of a sense of duty? When we take care of the needs of our family, do we take time also to simply tell them that we love them? When we watch the news or other TV programs, do we feel pity and try to help out if we hear victims of natural disasters? When we are with friends, is it only because we need them or we enjoy their company or do we stop at times and think about what do they need that you could help them out with?
Despite all the negative vibes from "bad news" and other things that preoccupy us, we could counter this one by asking the Lord to also make us clean--clean us of our impatience, of our indifference, of our selfishness, of our hatred or anger towards other people. Then, we can also stretch out our hands to the people who need us, to be of service not just because it is a duty or an obligation but out of love and compassion.
Let's all join our hands in prayer as we all ask for a generous heart from our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm sure some of you have heard this song before. It is the Prayer for Generosity. Feel free to sing with the Ateneo choirs.
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life -- Berthold Auerbach
It rained quite hard today. To many, rain is associated with sadness like its a non-stop shedding of tears from heaven. To me, rain is a blessing, a cleansing and washing away of life's "everyday dust."
I'm not sure what to write in this blog save that I know what its subject is. I spoke with my financial adviser and I wish I could say that all was well. That conversation left me in a downer mood. It was ironic that that mood set in just when the rain has stopped. So what do we do when times are rough? When the unexpected mars our plans for the future? Then, I remember addressing a blog to one of my good friends. I shared a song and the first line goes "When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary talks to me speaking words of wisdom: let it be."
Music truly has a way of answering our deepest thoughts and sought after dreams. Choral singing in particular has that cleansing and reflective effect upon me. Each song has its own way of catharsis. Each song has its own way to ease the soul.
Sometimes when you feel down, you'd need the comfort of someone who cares for you the most. And I find this beautiful trait in the Most Blessed Mother Mary--the Mother of Jesus Christ. She is a mother not only to Catholics, but to everyone. Yes, believe it or not, she can and is the mother of everyone who seeks for a mother in his/her life. Just think of what a perfect mother should be like: kind, tender, lovingly caressing and nurturing her children, understanding and concerned about their feelings, worries and wants in life; a constant shoulder to cry on, giving hope and encouragement for the young ones to continue to struggle amidst the trials and difficulties...oh I could go on and on and on. Anyone could seek this mother--if he/she wants to--in the Blessed Mother Mary.
You may or may not agree with me. But allow me to invite you to listen to one of the most popular hymns dedicated to our dear Blessed Mother. This prayer has been set into song for several generations and until now, composers continue to revisit and write new arrangements. Without further adieu, I present to you "Ave Maria" arranged by Ralph Hoffman and performed by Novo Concertante Manila. I invite you to bask in its highs and lows, its soft and loud moments...for it is in these moments in our life that our Mother's love can truly be felt if you wish to seek it.
Ave Maria Lyrics (Latin) English
Ave Maria Hail Mary
Gratia plena Full of grace
Dominus tecum The Lord is with you
Benedicta tu in mulieribus Blessed are you among women
Et benedictus fructus ventris And Blessed is the fruit of your womb
Tui, Jesus Jesus...
Sancta Maria Holy Mary
Mater Dei Mother of God
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus Pray for us sinners
Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae Now and at the hour of our death
Amen. Amen.
We all go through life with its highs and lows. Many would tend to be thankful for the highs--who wouldn't? But how many thank the lows? When our business is running slow or not doing well, are we thankful? When we get robbed of our gadgets like cellphones, laptops and others like it, are we thankful? When our friend cheats as of thousands of bucks worth of merchandise, are we thankful? When we got broke by mid-year because our business has gone downhill, are we thankful? When our families have problems with relationships--with others or with each other within the family--are we thankful? I'm sure I'd hear a resounding "no" to all of this and perhaps you'd stop at the first question and forget the rest, depending on which circumstance you belong to.
I don't claim to know anyone's circumstance for that matter. But I met an extraordinary guy who despite all the problems he has encountered manages to face the world with a smile and strength of a lion who will never give up. Manuel (not his real name) has gone through all the things I've mentioned above. Despite which, this friend of mine often greets me in the morning and asks me how my day has gone. We'd exchange a word or two throughout the day about what we're up to during the day. He also gives me inspiring messages on hope, strength of character, and encouragement to face a new day of challenges. And if I asked these questions to him, his answer would be a resounding YES!
Why be thankful for our trials and problems? Well, we wouldn't grow in character without problems. Without testing our resolve, how can we be strong to face the world everyday? Problems are there not to hinder our progress, but to challenge us; they're there not to discourage us, but to see new opportunities that we might have missed. I admire my friend Manuel for his courage to stand up to face his trials in life and still looking forward to a brighter future ahead.
This song "Circle of Life" is Elton John's composition for the movie "The Lion King." The arrangement follows the version sung in the movie itself, but of course with changes that would showcase the singing prowess of the choir. To you Manuel and all the "Manuels" in the world, I offer this song to you.
Circle of Life (Elton John)
Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama
Ingonyama
Siyo Nqoba
Ingonyama
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
[Chant repeats]
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
Epiphany Sunday, also known as Feast of the Three Kings, is a celebration of the three magi who found the Baby Jesus in the hands of his mother Mary in Bethlehem, so that they could pay the child homage. They found the child with the guidance of a star--the symbol of light amidst the darkness. When the magi followed the star and led them to the child, they were so overjoyed!
Light is a universal symbol of hope, of purity, of honesty, of humility. When we have hope, we strive to do better and get up each time we fail. We never give up and the experience could be humbling and could teach us to be better persons.
The one thing I enjoy about Christmas is the presence of lights--decorative, running, sparkling--a true delight to the eyes. For me, it reminds us of the very same light that led the three magi to the Saviour of the world and when he was found, they were overjoyed. I could imagine the choirs of angels singing praises to this light of the world--a song we still sing today. One version that I like is the one sung by an all-boys choir group--Libera. The song is entitled Sanctus.
Sanctus
Benedictus, benedictus
qui venit in nomine benedictus
In nomine
Domine
Benedictus, Benedictus
qui venit in nomine benedictus
In nomine
Domine
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli et terra Gloria
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli gloria.
What could be more humbling than the sound of children who sings better than many of us? More than that, the sound of youthful voices can really uplift your spirits. Children are after all the hope of our future. Let's make a better world for them!
