Sabbath Sunday was appointed by the Lord for the Tower of Ivory Praesidium of the Legion of Mary to meet. Not only significant was that day, it was also momentous. It was the first time ever, after the pandemic hit the Philippines (and rendered all activities, social, political or spiritual, at a standstill) that the praesidium will conduct its initial monthly meeting. Needless to say, the event was looked forward to in earnest and with great enthusiasm. Ate Gel, praesidum president, even designed a nifty notice of the meeting depicting Blessed Virgin Mary in an endearing manner reminiscent of the Lakad Lugaw kay Maria flyer before the crisis. The Legionaries rued the abortion of their project, a much-prepared-for fund-raiser intended to augment the funds for the renovation of the Legion House on Dangay St. in Project 6, Quezon City. But, pragmatic as they are persuaded by God’s faithfulness, the TOI praesidium dusted the omission off and, like the believers that they are, silently suffered the virus and proceeded with prayers for the safety and well-being of the world. Their optimism intact, they welcomed the announcement of the meeting as though it were already in progress. Faith that is constant cannot easily be curtailed. And so it had to come to pass.
Along with the notice, Ate Gel outlined the course of the meeting such that the Handbook took center stage and, after her scriptural reading, all the members will share their reflection on how the reading touched them. This she did interestingly through a spin-a-reflection wheel which she spun and where the name that the wheel’s arrow pointed at asks its Legionary owner to render aloud her/his thought. Thus, the wheel whirled and the sharing started.
I will be discreet and offer only my take on the exercise. I was focused on the moment and did not take notes, as is my wont, and cannot conjecture on what I simply heard without a means of validation. I will, however, sum up the general tone of the reflections to serve as a record of the milestone. Here’s my portion.
During the pandemic, God has made me conscious of, therefore faithful to, my missions, on behalf of Christ. I was a grouchy person before, ample reason why I was driven out of the house by my family, which I accepted quietly and without hysteria since, upon reflection, they had a reason for doing it, I believed God had a hand in that and, ultimately, I was its root cause. I prayed while in exile and, God being good all the time, when I came down with the flu, UtoLiza reached out to my family and they collected me. It’s been many months and cool so far. There were no apologies, explanations or matter that reunions are supposed to consist of, just a peaceful reconciliation that we all allowed God to orchestrate. It took sacrifice on my part, to be agreeable in most ways and not get anybody’s goat, and to generally fulfill my priestly mission. Irritants still arose, mainly from my point of view, which is a good thing, because I’m now able to exercise restraint instead of explode.
My prophetic purpose I conducted through my daily biblical fb posts, outside of the four columns I maintained for filcatholic.org (for free and without a byline). When I wasn’t writing, I was reading spiritual stuff I’m blessed to lay my hands on, thanks to my BEC-mate Ate Myla, who lends them to me every now and then.
My kingly vocation I exercised through the vows of moderation, obedience and poverty, which I endeavored to breathe and live by every single day to keep the devil away. I recently received a gift from Bro Boni, a 30-day novena to the Holy Cloak of St. Joseph, which is as powerful as prayers promise. Tonight will be the 16th novena day. These are what the Lord so kindly and generously enabled – and keeps on enabling – me to do.
In reciprocation, I pledge to keep my vows until I no longer have the strength to genuflect, kneel, prostrate and mouth off words of praise and thanksgiving to God, our Lord, and His extended Family, which includes you. Amen.
Sis Gelly was the usual facilitator who underscored each sharing with her Marian (read: TTJ and AMQAH spirituality) mindset and easily interconnected the reflections. Upon hearing mine, she thankfully noted its theme as family and related it to the present dire situation as essential to our wellness, wholeness and overall safety and security. The Holy Family, after all, is every Christian’s advocate and ally in any given situation, pleasant or menacing, at peace or in peril.
She also had a surprise, in the person of Ate Daisy, member of the Annunciation Praesidium, whom she notified through that office chat site, in the hope of getting the attention of Kuya Ed. The latter was there, to my fond delight and, notwithstanding the meager attendance (the virtual Christmas get-together understandably fetched a bigger turnout), we senior members sort of stamped the assembly with a blue-ribbon agreement. I take this opportunity to commend the praesidium. I have no small amount of admiration for these young children of God who, because of my transition from one praesidum to another, infused my meager awareness and knowledge of the Legion spirit so much so that the adage about the alwaysness of being a Legionary is indelible already.
It was also a chance to appreciate Ate Daisy for Sis Rhea’s delivery of Sis Angel’s and her joint birthday treat. If that was not a family event, I’m adopted.
Of course I had to share the experience with UtoLiza, my sibling sans the umbilical connection, and it was no surprise that she had an inkling of it, whispered, she intimated, by the Holy Spirit. This also underscored my being an Easter person because, while the Incarnation ushered the attainment for peace (ruined by the consumerism of greed), the Resurrection overshadows it by His promise. It is worth noting that the pandemic ought to be congratulated for keeping the families with one another (and not anywhere else) during the holiday season, a feat otherwise impossible were the situation “normal,” even if I despise the word. Because it was not in God’s plan when He created the world and describing His still perfect creation as “abnormal” gets my guttural. I mean, if you cannot find the apt thing to say, either be silent or pray.
It was no accident that after Sunday’s spiritual sharing, I finished the remaining pages of Pope Benedict XVI’s Book II of Jesus of Nazareth, where his parting words were:
“Luke’s Gospel ended with Jesus leading His followers into Bethany, lifting up His hands and blessing them and, while He did bless them, was carried up into heaven. He departed in the act of blessing and remains in the gesture, His hands stretched out over this world. His blessing hands protect us and gesture an opening up, tearing the world open so that heaven may enter in, may become present within it. This is the lasting motive of Christian joy. Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!”
This confirms my conviction of the Parousia. Depending on where we choose to be, with the goats or among the sheep, when He comes, my prayer is that we be like family in this. Together. Forever. Amen.
