Commemorating Easter as Missionaries in Africa

How do missionaries spend their Easter?  This has been a question that I get to be asked most of the times.  Well, 9 Easters ago, the Catholic missionaries (Priests, Nuns, Seminarians and Lay missionaries) in East Africa decided to congregate themselves every Easter and really draw strength from the various experiences of the Filipino missionaries and give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings that He bestowed upon His workers in the vineyard. To top it all, it is also a chance to take root and celebrate the Holy Eucharist in Filipino and the Filipino way.

Last Sunday, April 18, I got the privilege to once again join this noble group of missionaries who has been here in Kenya for most of their lives.  It was also a celebratory assembly to welcome those who are new in the mission and those who are celebrating their birthdays and anniversaries. The mixture of the group makes it exciting as some has dedicated their entire being serving the Kenyan Church and some are the new ones who draw inspiration from the various pastoral experiences of our senior missionaries.

The affair started with a thanksgiving mass celebrated by the newly ordained Rev. Fr. TQ Mula from Tagum City and who belongs to the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus.  As he celebrated his first mass as a priest in Kenya with the community, he reiterated how we are inspired to partake in the Eucharist as the source of inspiration as missionaries.  The Eucharist being the source of all our energy and ultimate reason to gather so that as missionaries we continually be thankful to our risen Christ for He sustains us in our times of challenges, troubles and personal struggles.

After the mass, everyone was busy trying to compare the different culinary expertise that each brought from mission or from their own Filipino roots.  Everyone had their own fill and enjoyed chit chatting with one another and update each one with the lives that they have lived on mission.  Some were even very much into the news of the moment -- Philippine Elections. As the afternoon progressed, dance music liven the energy of the missionaries and danced to the way they know either from their ancient generation or the funky music of the young and even tried some local Kenyan songs and dances.

The missionaries enjoyed the gathering. They had time to relax, recharged and be inspired for another year on the field doing the great work of the Lord.  Father TQ summed up the gathering with saying, “We witness as missionaries to the Kenyan Church as Filipinos, but more importantly sharing our faith in Christ to all peoples. Christ is truly risen so we give thanks to God because from that blessing of serving Him, now, we are able to share the faith.”

CFC East Africa Rooted in Christ

Missionaries and top leaders of Couples for Christ in East Africa converged for a spirit-filled recollection in Karen, Nairobi last April 17 held at the residence of our beloved Bishop David Kamau, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi and Spiritual Chaplain of Couples for Christ Kenya.

The day was filled with inspiring stories and sharings experiencing the fullness of life in Christ through serving in the community representing the various CFC mission areas and the family ministries.  The day captured how CFC started 15 years ago in the region and now being embraced by our local brethren despite the challenges of the African life. Being a powerful witness to the families around and the privilege of serving with a bigger spiritual family creates the necessary courage to go on and be filled with the love for God.

Bishop Kamau exalted everyone during the Holy Eucharist that as one body binded by the love of Christ, Couples for Christ will not be blown away by the wind, but will stand strong, solid and united as it takes its roots deeper in Christ and pursuing His mission that He has bestowed upon the community.

Additional material was discussed in relation to the latest pastoral letter of Archbishop Sarah, Secretary General of the Pontifical Council for the Evangelization of Peoples, challenging the African Church and movements such as Couples for Christ to intensify its efforts to fight the anti-life forces which is being promoted extensively in Africa. The way to evangelize the family and take care of it is to establish programmes and initiatives that will discuss and talk about pro-life, theology of the body and a clerer role of the co-existence of men and women. It is also essential to equip our lay leaders who are pursuing the families and strengthening of family life to take action and be informed for greater army to protect the African family.

The affair ended in high spirits as our CFC International Missions Coordinator and Regional Head for East and Central Africa, Bro. Clarke Nebrao, rallied everyone to PRAY, GO and GIVE. These 3 disciplines are essentials for all of us to experience the fullness of life in Christ following the footstep of the patron of missions, St. Francis Xavier. This gathering is to spark the preparations for the 15^th anniversary of the African missions of Couples for Christ this coming October 1-3 to be held in Tanzania and at the sametime take an active participation for next year’s 30^th CFC Anniversary.

As Bishop Kamau bestowes his final blessing, he posted a challenge to all of us: “Couples for Christ build your house in Africa.  This will be a solid foundation that will be a manifesto of each African family fully coming home and placing Christ as head of the African Couples for Christ.”

Parenthood like Mary’s

Good Friday started early for me.  My 3 kids are all sick due to the changing weather and the swimming fellowships that we’ve had. At 2:30am, my little boy couldn’t breathe due to colds and my second daughter was wide awake due to fever. To add to the brouhaha, my first daughter was fighting for attention to just be beside dad and mom for comfort and security.

While trying to appease my son, I remembered how Mary followed Jesus until Calvary. As parents, we want to be present in our children’s lives every step of the way. We are always interested in their endeavours and activities…to be beside them in times of trials and joys. Often times, I ask the Lord to spare my children of any affliction as I see them go through pain, but reality sets in and reminds me that my children must also endure pain and sometimes even suffer. The character of Jesus enduring all the humiliation and pain in the world marked His courage and the forbearance of a strong and upright spirit. If only for these characteristics, I would also desire my children to grow fulfilling the will of the Father in their lives.

Crucial for me was Mary not just following Jesus, but also praying for Jesus. The mother in Mary nurtured Jesus in prayer to face the final days of His life on earth.  The virtue of this act again strikes a chord in my heart to always pray for my children…to fervently pray for them to be stronger in times of adversity and pain. Preparing them spiritually to be courageous and confident with God the Father, makes my heart peaceful and made me realize that as a parent, our mission is to lead our children to our God. Now, as a father myself, I am called to mentor my children not just with my heart, but with the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the pierced Heart of Jesus witnessing God to the fullness of my life through the Spirit.

***Pictures were taken from the Holy Family Church in Capitolyo, Pasig City during the Holy Friday Procession.

Seven Last Words

I would like to share with all of you some thoughts and reflections for this Good Friday  on Jesus’ “Seven Last Words” according to my former Teacher at the Ateneo Grade School, Sir Pido Aguilar Jr, whose passion for God inspires me to live my life joyfully dedicating every moment to God’s greater glory.

1)  This Holy Week, let us EMULATE JESUS when He said on the Cross: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."  LET US FORGIVE, whoever they are, whatever they may have done, no matter how past or recent. LET US FORGIVE, not take offense, not take anything personally. LET US FORGIVE, understand that the doer may not be himself at that moment. This Holy week, LET US FORGIVE so we are free.

2)  This Holy Week, let us HOLD ON to the PROMISE OF JESUS at the Cross when He told the good thief: "Today, you shall be with Me in Paradise." Are we ready to go? Sorry for our sins? Truly repentant? Resolve to be good? Found our call & followed it? Back to the arms of our Father? Loved others? Forgiven them too? Mission accomplished? Let us HOLD ON to the PROMISE OF JESUS that WE SHALL BE IN PARADISE.

3)  This Holy Week, let us KEEP IN HEART what Jesus said on the Cross: "Mother, BEHOLD thy son; son, BEHOLD thy Mother." Let us look after one another. Let us take care of family, friends, strangers. Let us hold hands. Let us be one. Let us bind & bond. Let us watch over those in need. Let us reach out. When we BEHOLD one another, we see GOD in each one, and that is GOOD.

4)  This Holy Week, let us LEARN from the AUTHENTICITY of JESUS when He said on the Cross: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" So real. So true to oneself. No masks. No pretensions. Nothing phony. Nothing to hide. As is. Where is. Honest yet respectful. Frank yet tender. Open yet gentle. Human yet divine. Truth personified till the end. This Holy Week, let us LEARN to be AS AUTHENTIC as JESUS.

5)  This Holy Week, let us BE ONE with Jesus when He said on the Cross: " I thirst." For what do we thirst? Is it living water? Is it thirst for God? What quenches our deepest needs? How do we cope with the parched dry feeling of thirst? What do we yearn for when we are at our lowest? Do we drink of what is eternal? Are we dry inside? Who fills our cup? Like Jesus, let us THIRST for what is right.

6)  This Holy Week, let us be REMINDED of OUR own MISSION when Jesus said on the Cross: "It is finished." He did what was told. He accomplished what He was sent to do. He followed till His last breath. Do we know our mission or purpose? Do we do it? Do we live it each moment of our lives? Are we higher & deeper from day to day?... Can we also say, when it is our time, that "it is finished"? Let us be REMINDED of OUR own MISSION.

7)  This Holy Week , let us BE LIKE JESUS when He said on the Cross: "Into Your hands I commend My spirit." Do we entrust to God all we have, including our spirit? Are things in His hands or ours? His will or ours? Do we allow Him to be in charge & in control, or we meddle? Do we lift up our every moment & day to God? Is our life His alone? Let us COMMEND our whole being to God.

 

Grab a copy of Sir Pido’s book, “The Gift of Abundance”! (Let “The Gift of Abundance!” bless your home… 

touch your life…change your heart…nourish your soul.) 

Thank you so much, sir.