Linking with the old and new

The following are possible answers to a “life study” question, “How receptive are you to new wine?” (Catholic Serendipity Bible for Personal and Small Group Study. Lk 5:36-39. p. 1589):

· I like things as they are.

· I accept change slowly but with God’s help, I can handle it.

· I’m all for change if I’m sure it’s God’s doing.

· I’m a revolutionary – let’s turn the world upside down.

From the Christian Community Bible, “New wine, new skin” is the caption of the Gospel according to St. Mark (Mk 2:21-22) with the same message in the Gospels of Sts. Luke and Matthew (Lk 5:36-39 and Mt 9:16-17). Literally, I view these verses remembering what Dr. R. M. Santiago (“Why do I write?” www.nestofglory.blogspot.com Jan 31, 2011) told me, “Loy, ayaw na kay bag-ong dawat. Let’s drink bahal.” He cautioned me never to drink too much from the ‘line of different wine’ for tasting in the winery as we visited a vineyard in upstate New York, U.S.A. (1984). According to him, they were comparable to the newly tapped ‘toddy or tuba’. ‘Bahalina’ is better like the aged liquor.

Anyway, I consider and analyze the above “life study” question in a different perspective. I consider myself the link (whether weak or strong) for the old and the new generation. 

I was filled with awe last August 20, 2011 as the sharer for the men’s breakfast fellowship at the BCBP Cebu Central held in Casino Español, Ranudo St., Cebu City. I was amazed and grateful because I did not expect 4 “first timers”. One of them was a sugarcane planter in Negros, the other one was an OFW broadcast engineer working in Saudi Arabia with 2 younger gentlemen. It was amazing to remember that in November 15, 2008 at the same venue and among the same group of businessmen and professionals, I invited and brought with me 4 guests. They composed of a banana planter from Davao, a new-found Singaporean friend and 2 trainors on natural, organic farming.

I was thrilled, inspired and motivated from the introduction to the less than 20 minutes witnessing, handing of the token, closing and final informal interactions among some of those interested in natural, organic farming. I was impressed and grateful to the significant introduction of the Breakfast Head (Bro. Jun Jabatan) that I’m a “man who keeps on talking about God”. I was deeply touched by the Responsorial Song and the lively closing/final song about “calling” that I heard for the first time. From the many opportunities I’ve been sharing my life story whether alone or together with my wife, this is the first time that I was handed a book as a token through Bro. Ani Serato.

I am greatly moved and disturbed by Alex and Brett Harris (young, twin brothers) who in their tender age are able to publish their second book, “Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are”. Their first book is entitled, “Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations”. (I received their second book as a token from the BCBP Cebu Central.) At sixteen, they were blogging, published the first book at nineteen and when they are twenty-one and sophomore in College, the second book is through. It is amazing how they are dreaming big dreams, “strongly believing that God wants our generation to change the world”. I checked www.therebelution.com and indeed, the blog still exists giving me the opportunity to see the twin brothers and how big and well organized their concept, plans and actions for a “Rebelution” (combination of rebellion and revolution, a teenage rebellion against low expectations to do hard things to glorify God).

In my own small ways, relatively young as I am, I have created nestofglory.blogspot.com as my ULR or my address in the web. I have been inviting relatives, old and new-found friends. Discouragingly, a relative commented, “Loy, tiguwang na ta para magblog-blog!” Borrowing a line from the Introduction of the Book, “You’re Still Young, I’m Old….”, I responded and expressed the same thought, “Technology has progressed so fast that parents nowadays need their children to teach them how to use the latest inventions.” So that in my desire to “go treasure hunting” by blogging, I sought assistance from my Applied Physics graduate daughter with my “crash course” in computer literacy.

The period from August 16 - 20, 2011 was the celebration of the World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. I creatively imagine the possibility of collaboration among the worldwide youths of this generation (the Pope John Paul II generation) for the "Rebelution. My simple and priceless contribution towards its realization is my prayer for the sustainability and the unbreakable "vital link to tradition."

Starting March 2011, I decided to allocate a portion of my monthly tithes for the construction of the Youth Center in Cebu City. I readily attended the Dinner for a Cause (August 27, 2011) for the same purpose during which time, the fifth Book by Cardinal Vidal, ”You’re Still Young, I’m Old..: A Conversation with the Youth of Cebu” was launched. Fortunately, I met and had a brief acquaintance hoping for a facebook friendship with Engr. Russel Pepito, a youth volunteer from Liloan, Cebu. Through her, I invited her parents to our BCBP Breakfast Fellowships.

Astonishingly, I was the only gentleman seated in table 39 at the Grand Convention Center where the dinner for a cause and book launching were held.  I gladly introduced myself without inhibition.  When they invited me to dine with them, I declined telling them that I am present “for a cause” no more dinner because I came from the 54^th birthday party of my wife.  Amazingly, when Bishop Jose Palma delivered the welcome address, he expressed the same, “he is present for a cause, no more dinner” because he came from the Fiesta (biesperas) at Mambaling, Cebu City.  Well, I gained 2 more young facebook friends. I invited them to be my blog followers or members. They are Jackie Reigh Abesia and Jesryl Pacquiao.

From the above “life study question”, being inspired by the “Rebelution” of Alex and Brett Harris and my desire to have a strong link between the old and the new generation, I opt for a “rebelution” ready to turn the world (to start  with the world within) upside down. nmg

     

   

The winning edge

I recall how an American woman tennis enthusiast with a sincere concern asked me, "Did you win the game?".  It was in 1984 during a study tour to some islands in Hawaii (Thanks to USAID!).  I was carrying with me a newly bought lawn tennis racket.  This memory crop up lately after a series of interactive exchange of thoughts with a Filipina earning a living in Texas, U.S.A.  It seems like we are "playing the game of life".  Who has the winning edge?  Our Creator is a Just Judge, Father of all mankind and Fair Referee in this Game (Eccl 12:13).  And so, after her "voluminous strikes" and my minimal "sure ball returns", I am writing her:

    

Dear Dinah (Dayon sa Langit),

    

Human as I am, I tend to pity you but I know you are strong.  Moreover, I am getting annoyed with what you are trying to drive at.  You are simply converting me to ride on the vehicle you are in.  I am sorry to tell you that being equipped with my doctrinal and expectant faith, I am comfortable with the mode of transport I am into though ”struggling” because of the many temptations around.  I understand that you are a committed Bible-believing Christian.  You belong to the “sola scriptura” sect.  You don’t believe in anything outside of the Holy Bible.  I respect your choice and if you are truly a Christian, you should respect mine.  Are you insensitive to the Universal Laws and the Laws of Nature?

If what you have revealed is true, that indeed you are suffering from cancer, then you should have passed the stage of questioning, “Why me, Lord?”.  I can imagine or visualize you reverently holding your Holy Bible carefully cutting through the pages trying to find the answer to this question.  If and when converting people to your ”religion” or “belief system” is your mission and purpose for relief and gratification, I suggest that you evangelize or “share the Good News” to non-believers.  Recently, I encountered a new-found friend who is a 48 years old German.  He is an atheist who coincidentally is suffering from the same kind of cancer that you have.  He is your most appropriate target or ”passenger”.  I’m sure there are a lot of people like him surrounding you whom you can win to ride with you to our ultimate destination.  I visualize this scenario as if you are like Sharon Cuneta in her marine transport commercial, “Sakay na!”.

     

I wonder why you are so mad at Christian and motivational writers. Philip Yancey is one among the several inspirational authors I am reading.  In one way or another, they certainly influence my way of living.  These authors eventually brought and inspired me to read the Holy Bible daily because their concepts and precepts in life are Bible-based.  I worry about your negative pronouncements or judgments against the person of Mr. Yancey.  Don’t you know that your actuation is libelous?  Are you not aware of the basic lesson in life, that whenever you have nothing good to say to your fellowmen, you better be silent? The judgement you pass on to them will boomerang to you.  It is slander (Lv 19:16 and Sir 19:14).  You are good at judging others (Mt 7:1-5).  I pray that you observe acquitting and condemning words (Mt 12:34-37).

I recommend to your “pastoral team” that you read Scott and Kimberly Hahn’s book, “Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism”.  I pray that you open your mind to a wider vision and a thorough search for TRUTH, the TRUTH that sets us free. I also petition for your full recovery. You are "dis-eased", not at ease. Don't you know that a disease is an external manifestation of an internal disorder usually attributed to psychological, emotional and spiritual malfunctions?

Dinah dear, at this point in time of your remaining precious life, have you formulated your “personal mission statement”?  Mine is written in the article, “Holistic being and living” posted in www.nestofglory.blogspot.com  dated January 25, 2011. I try to observe and model after Qoheleth (Eccl 12: 9-10) in my “reflective writing”.

Empathically thinking of you, your  Kabayan:


Nestor M. Gloria (nmg)