Top 10 February 2016

[click orange links for more information]

February came and went like a Cupid's arrow. There’s been a wild turnover of blessings this month that’s worthy of count. I stand by my dictum that if you don't count them, they don't multiply. So let's do this month's list. Included is, in my list of lists, the greatest blessing ever -the Word. This month, I chose a few verses in the Feb 29 first reading taken from the book of 2Kings. There are more than what's included in the list but let's stick with 10.

1. Naaman, the Syrian; Naaman, the Filipino.

And Eli'sha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean." 11But Na'aman was angry, and went away, saying, "Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper. 12Are not Aba'na and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?” 2 Kings 5:1-15

That's me -the Pinoy version of the complaining Syrian. 
Lo, I ask. Why on heaven and Earth the need to go to a certain place, wash seven times? Can't God just snap a finger? Or let out a divine thought? Didn't He create this universe with words? Why the need for rituals? 

Lo, I answer. Jesus Himself used rituals in performing miracles of healing. I think that in order for our obedience to be perfect, we must follow certain rules which to our limited minds may seem unnecessary. Pretty much like love, I guess. God commanded us to love our enemies -not so much for our enemies but for our love to be perfect.
Lo, I rest.

2. Flowers for my Lady. 

One of the few times every year I get to buy or ask someone to buy flowers for my one and only -Valentine’s day. The other times are anniversary and mothers’ day. If mothers’ day is within 5 days of her birthday, she gets Happy Mother’s birthday flowers. Tipid, ‘di ba? But this is beside the point I want to make. These are flowers to the one who listens to my funny stories and laugh, and tells the kids to laugh too, or else; who gets up first in the morning to fix breakfast; and, who loves me not for my money(??) or my body(?!) but for who I am. I am my money and my body -haha! And I am better because of the love: the CRI of the light I see is higher; my power to shine is magnified.

3. A Nestea Bottle and My Old Man.

Last year's movie San Andreas that Tatang and I went out to see left me feeling sad, a hint fearful and foolishly ridiculous all at the same time not because of how the movie turned out but because of a silly Nestea pet bottle. After popping a handful of popcorn a few minutes into the movie, we each grabbed our iced tea. I opened mine and was about to chug in a few when I noticed he was still struggling to open his. After a couple of attempts, he willfully gave it to me to open. I was one sad son that day. The iron hands I knew as a child that moved heaven and earth are now weaker than a child's.

Fast forward to February 2016.

A few weeks ago this February, Tatang was admitted in a hospital for the first time in 20 years. Based on that initial hint of fear and my limited knowledge of human anatomy, this must be a protraction of the San Andreas impact. The fear of course is opposed to the supposed faith I profess. But it was real.

Tatang was discharged after a day of confinement -for acute gastro. Although the fear might have been unfounded, the sadness for my old man remains.

4. Home.

It is without exaggeration when I say going  to hometown Dinalupihan, Bataan always gives me a feeling of refreshment every time no matter if the visit is for Christmas, Holy Week, the barrio fiesta, a sick relative, or even a funeral. Though it appears smaller in my eyes now, as small as the number of people I know, it is and will always be home to me. It may NOT look like my old hometown anymore, but it still feels like it. Here is where I grew up and messed up. Here is where I am reminded of early school days, of happy sun-drenched summers playing patintero with neighbors and cousins, of dear Inang hollering for lunch or supper or bath time, and of apung Juan and apung Trining. 

This time out, we visited two dear aunts Daling and Naty who are both bed-ridden. Both were glad to see us although only dà Daling could recognize us. A visit like this brings to mind a medley of Beatles songs like Julia & Let It Be -tributes to Lennon's and McArtney's mothers. Seeing them is like seeing my dear mother. They are in my prayers everyday.

5. Lent.

A favorite liturgical season of mine. It’s my time to get holier than my own perception of holiness. From the Wednesday of Ashes to the Sunday of Resurrection, I try to reconcile not only myself to my Creator, but also my new self to my old that takes me right back on tract in this thing called existence. Read my last year's blog about lent.

6. God's Security.

  

This is one great blessing that’s taken for granted . Everyday, I take so much delight in knowing that everyone in my family is home safe. With one office/school/traffic story after another to tell, I am comforted. I recite Psalm 91 several times everyday knowing that at no time in the day I don’t need God’s protection.

7. Therapy.

I have a client whose family is listed as one of Forbes’ 10 richest in the country. According to him, doing the dishes is his therapeutic way of easing off stress. 

Though still unlisted, I do have my own share of daily hassles. But washing the dishes is not for me. I’ve been washing dishes ALL MY LIFE -I can’t find the chill in cleaning, soaping, rinsing and drying.

Car wash -this is my R&R. I don’t see Mr. Rich doing this because if he does, it’ll take him forever to finish all the Audis in his showroom (there’s a giveaway on the person). This is my therapy: kick off my slippers, grab the hose, wash on, wash off. While at it, I get to thank God for the blessing of cars and for keeping us safe on the road every  time. It can take me a couple of hours but right after, the cars get a fresh look and I get a fresh outlook.

8. Brunch.

Friday dine out is one of the things that my family gave up for lent. Sunday breakfasts and lunches, too. Instead, we brunch out every Sunday after hearing mass. One new resto every week. The kids check out Zomato, while I ask for the price. If all good and within pocket reach, we brunch. I know that it’s cheap thrill but we do get the feel -from searching for the next place to eat, and arguing about the menu it serves to actually eating there. This may extend up to Easter and beyond! I hear cheers!

9. That Steph Curry Moment.

Game is tied. 6 seconds to go in the game. Steph takes a dribble past the half-court line. Aims for a trey much like the way he did >170 times this season. Oh, who doesn't know what happened next? Andre and I let out a 100Db-loud “whoooooah!” that sent da mommy's heart out of bounds.

Sports is one of the binding forces in my family. In tennis, Andre and I go for Rafa, while mom and daughter cheer for Roger. I'm forever Celtics while Nikkei, for the moment cheers for Curry’s daughter. Tennis or basketball or football or uni volleyball, sports is a venue for a healthy family argument, teasing, taunting, poking, fighting. Oh yes, I love my family!

10. Monday Breakfasts.

Because we are in the world. And to keep us from its influence, we study the Word. We call ourselves the Wordly Men. JoeDean is the founder of He Cares Mission -a 20-year old ministry for street children while Alfred is a founding elder of Lualhati ng Panginoon -a Catholic community based in Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cubao. We share stories of the past days to strengthen one another’s faith. This is what we do every Monday for the past 3 or 4 years. The reflection that started this top 10 is a product of this.

Previous Top 10                    Next Top 10