Silver and Gold I have none…

Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ once told us in class that the Almighty God, impassible (not susceptible to pain) as he may seem, has allowed Himself to be vulnerable and to suffer pain because of His choice to love humanity. God’s suffering and pain can be compared to our response to what we see in the news. For example, we see in the news communities devastated by natural calamities --- some of us are strongly affected and we are compelled to do something; some of us just feel sorry and when we get distracted we forget what we have just seen; while others do not feel anything at all. Our response to these situations is influenced by how close we are with the people concerned. Imagine if the people reported in the news include a family member, surely the reaction is more intense. Imagine God’s position, what He must have felt, Him who knew each one of us by name, in seeing our pain and sufferings. A parent, especially mothers, knows what I am talking about. If we were in God’s shoes our heart would not be able to bear the pain that God is carrying in His heart. And yet, as Christians, we are constantly invited to follow God’s example of loving until it hurts’ (Blessed Teresa of Calcutta). We can only show true Christian compassion if we allow ourselves to be vulnerable because of love.

Some of us might not be aware that the homes of our brothers and sisters living in the 6th and 7th Streets were demolished. And like what I have mentioned above, we can have different reactions; we can be concern or indifferent. But let me share with you what we in the student friars community of St. John of the Cross Monastery see: these are not faceless people, they are our family. These people have names: ATE SUSAN, our former BEC Exe-Com Coordinator; KUYA LINO our helper in the crypt; ATE CORA, one of the Carmel Choco ladies; IVAN, member of the Knights of Columbus and sings for us as a choir member; ANDREW and JONEN our Acolytes; PAULINE our Scholar… the list is long and personal --- for each has been part of our lives in one way or another.

These are our brothers and sisters who have never slept during Simbang Gabi just to cook and prepare salabat for us. These are the same people who volunteer to man our free clinic. These are the people who prepare the Powerpoint presentations in the celebration of the Liturgy just for us to participate well in Mass. These are the people who set up tents to cover our tiange and garage sale. These are the people who prepare the altar for us. These are the persons who cook food for us at cheap prices every time we have fellowships and gatherings. These people are those asked to man the collections every Novena mass of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Actually, these people fill up the benches every time the parish conducts seminars and other functions. In our fellowship nights we danced with them, sung with them, laughed with them. And most specially, these are the people whom we break bread with every time we celebrate the Eucharist.

It was actually early December that the news came out about the demolition. From then on our community started praying and reflecting on what God might be asking of us in this situation. Yes, our brothers and sisters are living as “informal settlers” and that the title holder of the property has the right to claim it; the land owner’s rights are protected by law. But our brothers and sisters who are informal settlers are not, or at least inadequately, protected by the society of their right to decent living, including shelter. This has compelled us to side with them for it is clear: people, children and the elderly are left homeless and they have no one to turn to. As what Fr. Rey have said, “they may not have legal rights, but still they remain the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed… it is to them that we are sent.”

This is actually a trial not only for those living in the 6th and 7th street, but a trial for us all struggling to live what Christian fellowship really means. True fellowship is not measured by yearly parties, dances, concerts, food and festivities --- it is tested in times when one of our own is hurting. It is tested by our solidarity with those who are suffering. True love is tested when it requires a sacrifice for us. This is stewardship in its very essence. Love of neighbor is nothing but stewardship.

And we have witnessed many parishioners who were moved and who actually moved for our brothers and sisters. To name a few, Johnny & Sonia Liao, Lilith Santos, Randy Borbe and the Youth Ministry, Choco Ladies & the BECs, Carmel Nuns of Gilmore & Infanta, Bro. Dhyck, Rev. Oscar, Fr. Arnie and the Fathers & Brothers at St. John of the Cross Monastery; they gave not only their time, talent & treasure, but their very selves. Even before the start of the demolition, you would see these people praying, crying, begging, negotiating, listening and talking to people. These people went there and saw the condition of our brothers and sisters. Their presence varied in different degrees but as Christians they showed solidarity and sincerity. These people allowed themselves to be vulnerable and actually feel the sorrow, fear and pain of the people. Isn’t this an actual participation in the teachings of the Incarnation? Emmanuel, God-with-us --- God embracing our humanity in solidarity with us. The OCD brothers are poor, they have nothing to give but like Peter they gave the most precious treasure they have: “Silver and Gold, I have none, only this do I have and I give you… Jesus Christ” (Acts 3:6). As a Sacrament of Christ, we are called to be His representatives in the wounded world. In a world of injustice and oppression we are called to be signs of hope for the world. We need to encourage them not to loose hope for surely God will not abandon them. What a consolation to read Pope Benedict’s latest encyclical Spe Salvi (par. 2): It is not that they know the details of what awaits them, but they know in general terms that their life will not end in emptiness. Only when the future is certain as a positive reality does it become possible to live the present as well.” By being with them, our brethren at the 6th & 7th Streets felt that the Church has not abandoned them --- that God has not abandoned them in their darkest hour.