Ghost of the Christmas Present (A Fiction)

Ghost of the Christmas Present

(A Fiction)

By Vince Stanley Inigo

I can’t believe what happened yesterday. A very dear friend of mine visited me after the Misa de Gallo. Well, I have not introduced “her” personally to my parents yet but I know that the right time will come that they will be able to meet the girl face-to-face.

The Mass just ended and Fr. Mascardo asked me to arrange the altar wine and hosts in the Sacristy. I have to keep those out of reach because some of the sacristans would box one another out and get some in the cabinets. The parish priest would not see what happens there but as the sacristan major, I am the one accountable for such incidents.

I was alone in the Sacristy, I heard someone chuckling from the back door.

At first, the steps also scared me so I did not have any second thoughts of asking, “Who is it?”

“You’re surprised again?”, she replied.

“Come on! Of course not, Michaela.”

“Just waiting for you. I can’t believe that it’s almost Christmas. I’m very sorry if I have not prepared any present for you.”

“Your presence is enough, my lady.”

She held my hand and embraced me saying, “I missed you so much!”

“Oh no! Not here! We do it outside. This is a sacred place.”, I kiddingly told her.

“We have grown so fast. I can still remember our first communion when you were...”

“Alright, continue it later as we walk in the park. I would love to watch the sunrise with you. Let me undress this tunic first, I don’t want to get it stained. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll wait for you here.”

She always mentions about our First Communion every time we meet. I had memorized the sequence of her story.  Every line, every punctuation mark. She would remind me that I was already staring at her at the line trying to wait for her eyes to meet mine. We were in Grade 3 that time. It was in San Fernando de Dilao Parish in Paco, Manila. Msgr. Rolando dela Cruz, our Parish Priest, presided over the Celebration. I also can’t forget how pale Michaela was that day but the radiance of her smile illuminated my world. We were paired and it felt like a wedding as we marched together to receive the Body of Christ.

A jeepney ride would take us to Paco Park. We are still on vacation. There are no discounts for the student passengers. So, I had to pay eight pesos (P 8.00) for my ride. As for Michaela, she got it for free. Why? Apart from Mang Clemente, the jeepney driver, is her father, Michaela is “invisible”. I was about to pull the coins out of my pocket but then Mang Clemente recognized me so he insisted that I would have a free trip to Paco Park. Aside from I was born lucky, it was Divine Providence that I rode Mang Clemente’s jeepney.

“Libre na! Pamasko ko na sa iyo. (It’s for free. Take is as a present this Christmas.)”, Mang Clemente told me as he was looking at the front mirror and giving a smile even if he no longer has his two front teeth.

“Maraming salamat po! Maligayang Pasko! (Thank you very much! Merry Christmas!)”

We hopped out of the jeepney when we stopped at Padre Faura Street and we went to Paco Park. It was a very bright sunny day to have a walk, eat taho and probably take photos. Michaela was in great excitement. I wonder why. As if she does not go with me there every time I’m home for vacation.

I really love conversing with this woman. Not only that she is full of wisdom but she is someone who is ready to listen to stories.

The Holy Spirit was inspiring me that day that I cannot wait to tell someone what I was reflecting on. So, I began to ask her, “Do you know when was the first time that John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord Jesus?”

“I don’t know. When he baptized Jesus, maybe?”

“That was the concrete example that we know.”

“Then when?”

“Do you remember that in the Gospel John leapt for joy in his mother’s womb when he heard Mary coming?”

“Yes? But please tell me the story.”

“That was the first time. John leapt for joy saying, ‘NANDITO NA SIYA! (Here he comes!)’ He could have been celebrating so much. You would not expect that John and Jesus are already partying when they were still at their fetal stage.”

It was an accomplishment when I made her laugh.

“How did you know?”, she asked.

“From other preachers. They love making up stories too.”

“Tell me more! Now, I’m listening to a future preacher.”

“Do you know that Mary is not the only one who can give birth to Jesus this Christmas?”

“Really? Who else?”, she curiously asked.

“You can! I can!”

“You’re ridiculous!”

“Every one of us who would do a good deed and would give with love is giving birth to Christ.

Caritas means charity in Latin. It is also an alternative word for love. Without love, there is no charity.

The brothers in the seminary would always tell one another this phrase, ‘Deus caritas est’. In English, ‘God is love’. If people see us full of love, they can see God in us. And I hope that I can share to all of you how God loves me.”

“You know, I really have to blame you for all this. Why do you do this to me?” , Michaela said as if she was really angry.

“What did I do?”

“I had a deal with my father before. I told him that no one can make me fall in love before I had my debut on my 18^th birthday.”

“Did you lose?”

“Well, today I’m walking with the person who made me lose the deal.”

“I’m very sorry.”

I could not believe that she would admit that same feeling of affection that I had told her when we were still in ... O my, I guess, I really have not told her about it yet. We were really young back then. She knows that I am planning to become a priest someday but I also told her that there are possibilities that God will choose His priests and will have a better plan for me.

But then she added, “It’s alright. I thank you that you came to my life. I still need you.”

I blushed when she said that, REALLY!

Then, she continued, “Remember that in the Book of Genesis, God tore a flesh from the man’s side and created a woman.

And why did He tear a flesh from the side? Because a man and a woman should walk side-by-side with the Lord.

Sad to say but the two of us can no longer be together in this world, my friend. But I assure you that we will one day meet in Paradise sharing more stories. You will accomplish a lot of tasks. Good for you, the list of your missions here on earth still extends like the River Nile.

I always remind you about our First Communion together. It was a marriage, indeed, not for you and for me, but our covenant with God. He wants you to continue the Eucharist not in remembrance of what happened to you and me that day but of Him, who offered Himself as a helpless infant on the very first Christmas Eve until His last breath. You may think that you are not worthy but His death made us realize our worth of His love. I may not have received the Body of Christ when they rushed me to the hospital when we were in 3^rd grade. I was dying of Leukemia. I just wished for myself that at the hour when the gates of our Home are opening, I would be able to touch Jesus’s wounds.

I wish that you would become a great preacher, Vince. Whether you become a priest or not, proclaim His Word that you may bring the Truth and happiness to the people. Do not attract people to imitate you only with the words you say but also with the life you live. I can see that you have grown to be a very gentle man.

Amidst chaos, there should be peace in the heart. As you always wish for me, that I may rest in peace.

Remember that I’m always praying for you. Until next year, Vince. Take care.”

What remained was a memory of hands caressing my face in the midst of the morning dew. Her words were sweeter than the caramel in the taho – the ghost of Michaela I see every Christmas.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine

Et lux perpetua luceat eis. Amen.

(Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord

And let your perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.)

Innocence

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

-Matthew 18:3

There are few creations of God that will always attract my heart: the plants, the seas, and little children. I miss my childhood whenever I see kids. They are full of joy and very innocent, indeed. They are angels who share to me their heavenly smiles even if I look like a grumpy giant. And it has been an effective way to tame me.

I can still remember my high school days. I was a member of a so-called Rainbow Catering Club. It is a school organization which manages birthday parties for pre-school and grade school students. Unfortunately, I was always assigned as a mascot. I am big and the costume [sort of] fits me well but so far as I know it, I was not presentably adorable but the make-up worked like magic to make me look comic. I would carry the “pabitin” since there was no nylon provided. And even if I was dressed as a clown, the children were able to reveal my secret identity by simply pulling my wig together with the toys in the “pabitin”. The children would laugh at first and would tease me but after the party, I felt fulfilled because I was able to make children happy.

From these children, I learned how to have fun. Yes, back then, for me there was time for everything but I forgot about one thing-HAVING FUN. I was focusing my attention on my goals in academics and activities. Competition was serious and tough and the military discipline as a CAT officer has been part of my system. Until a friend of mine told me, “Vince, I think you are growing up so fast.” That woke me up. I contemplated that maturity should not be as serious as it sounds. That, it should not destroy the child within me. So I tried to change.

Until now, I can feel the transformation within me. To become child-like does not happen in a snap of a finger. We always have the decision whether to choose to become joyful preachers or not. You know, my friends, when God embraced humanity, it was a difficult life for Him but try to ponder on this, He shared His smiles with us like a child. Behind all the accusations, slaps and spits we gave Him was joy in His heart for He did not look at us as unworthy of His love. He was meek and innocent. He had already seen the joy which he prepared for us -- the victory of the Cross. Probably, when He was carrying the cross, he was not really in anguish. He could have been smiling and saying, “[Insert name here], hindi ito mabigat, mahal kita e!” (This is not heavy because I love you.)

Life should not be complicated. Life has to be meaningful. Maturity is learning without losing the kid within us. The crosses in our lives become bearable if we do it out of love and service, and most of all to glorify God. Because of God, I learned how to have fun. Let us not forget that our God is also a child who would love to play with us and say, “SMILE! I am here, my friend.”

-Vince Stanley Iñigo

A Christmas Prayer of a Young Person In Love

(Photo, Courtesy of darling petunia.blogspot.com)

Dear young lady,

As I was writing this work of art, you were the only person whom I was thinking of. I was planning to write a simple poem for you but I guess I cannot draw inspiration from my heart that was beating louder than your sweet voice whenever you sing. So, I decided to dedicate a prayer instead because this is where I work best.

Lord, make me, and this young lady, chaste and humble

We are young but we cannot deny the fact that you can make us fall in love

We still have a long way to journey in this life. Please guide us.

You entrusted us the wisdom to teach the world of Your love. Please enlighten us.

Lord, I love you and I am learning to love her.

She’s just one of a kind.

Sometimes I really have to blame You but I thank You that she is there.

Help us love without malice.

Help us be patient and understand more our duties as Your servant in this world.

Help us welcome others with a smile, the way Your advent had shone smile to humankind.

Help us make life meaningful.

I’ve got nothing else to ask from You this Christmas, Lord, except for You to touch my heart that I may change and inspire this young woman to also submit to Your Divine Will.

Love,

The young man

Batch Integration 2.0

Last Friday, August 30, 2013, we left with smiling faces from St. Albert the Great Seminary. This trip was originally scheduled August 23, 2013. But due to the weather conditions because of typhoon Maring and the monsoon, we did not push through. We still had classes with our beautiful professors, ma’am Ocenar for Chemistry and ma’am Bautista for Technical Writing before we departed.

Our first stop-over was at Aling Taleng’s Halo-Halo in Pagsanjan. I think there were very few stores who have attempted to compete with that restaurant for so many years since 1933. To satisfy hunger, we ordered halo-halo and pancit guisado. We then proceeded to Panguil River Eco-Park to have an overnight camping with Fr. Lovell, Fr. Ogie and our drivers, kuya Pane and kuya Roger. There were team-building activities set for us. We have to work as a batch in order for us to accomplish the tasks. I’ve discovered more the attitudes of my brothers especially in leading the group. In the evening, we had our dinner. Sinigang and adobo was prepared for us by the cooks who work in the pavillon where we stayed. By the way, the camping was not fully “outdoor” because our tents were pitched inside the pavillon. We had roofs over our roofs. We roasted marshmallows and hotdogs afterwards and we shared stories about our experiences in the seminary. Love lives were also included. Most of us slept early. There were about 8 of us who were really strong in staying up until 12 midnight.

The next day, we woke up and had our breakfast. At 7:45 am, we went to the falls. The trekking took so long. There were three obstacles to cross. First, we swam at a raging stream. It was difficult because of the current. Second, we had to cross to the river while holding a bamboo log. Third, we had to cross to the falls using only a rope while swimming in the water. That was an unforgettable experience because I was afraid that I might bump my head or slice my leg on one of the big rocks. It was really fun though. We took photos of ourselves for us to put in the annual photo album. The next activity was rubber tubing, the salva vida were turned into a long boat. The feeling of thrill while you are riding there is like in the movies wherein the boats might turn over anytime. We still swam in the dam after that. The water current was very strong that it was starting a small whirlpool. We watched children jumping at a very high place. It was breath-taking. If only their parents were watching, it’s either they’ll be proud or angry of their children. We took a bath to clean ourselves and had lunch and proceeded to our next trip.

We went to San Pedro de Alcantara, a church in Paquil, Laguna famous for its yearly Turumba-dancing the Sorrowful Mother. The afternoon TV series “My Little Juan” was taping scenes but we arrived there during their break time. We went to another church in Paete, Laguna. Paete is known for the handicrafts of creative people who live there. They are really proud of their God-given gifts. I shared to some of my brothers that if it is their first time in a church they will enter, they should make a sincere wish and it will have big chances that it will be granted by God. We still strolled there. We went to the shops of carved images of Saints and other religious items. Those were really works of art.

We head back to Calamba but before that, we had snacks once again at Aling Taleng’s Halo-Halo. We just can’t get enough of their specialty. I am not after the recipe though. I just hope that I will know the secret of their success once I will be able to have a chance to talk to the successors of the owner.

We arrived in St. Albert the Great where we can rest in peace. We were very tired but still we kept going and attended the Evening Prayer with the First Year Aspirants and the Postulants. As for myself, I still have the energy to meditate and thank the Lord for the happy memories. I kept learning a lot of things with the people I meet each day. And as I have said, I discovered more the attitude of my brothers. It is not the trip that was important to me. The bonding was unforgettable. Whether I continue to be with them forever or not, I will keep those precious moments of laughter and sorrow. And as challenges come our way, I only pray that we stick together as one family.

Mulier

Dark, expressive eyes, long, curly hair and infectious smile. These are the qualities that a special woman of my life possesses. She’s very beautiful not only on the outside but also on the inside. What makes her the apple of your eyes aren’t only her physical attributes but also her personality.

I was still small when I first met this best friend of mine. She loves praying for me especially in times that she wanted to remind me that I have to be strong. She is always there for me. She never gets tired loving me even if I had been committing the same mistakes over and over again. I really admire her for that. Her hands are fragrant because she cares endlessly. She’s soft-hearted and peaceful. You would rather choose not to sleep at night sharing with her your stories than tucking yourself under your covers after consuming all the pages of your diary. She will always lend you her shoulders to cry on. She brings joy when things aren’t on the right track. I love her and people who have met her do so too. If I were the Pope, I would canonize her Saint. But whether that canonization happens or not, I believe that God has reserved her seat among the saints in Heaven.

I consider her my mediatrix because she led me to the realization of my vocation. She was having second thoughts then of letting me go before I decided to respond to the “Call”. It hurts me too to accept that we have to part ways but we chose to surrender ourselves to God’s will. And that made both of us happy.

This woman is no other than my mother, a very wise parent who can be a father at the same time. She is my first teacher. She taught me to love everything God created. For me, she is the person whom I will always remember until the time that all my hair turn gray.

May Handaan Doon! Handa Na Ba Kayo? TARA! (August 22, 2013 Reflection)

Matthew 22: 1-14

Tayong mga Pilipinong Kristiyano ay binansagang nagdiriwang lamang ng Misa sa loob ng Simbahan tuwing “KLB”-Kasal, Libing, Binyag. Tuwing naririnig ko ito ay para bang gusto kong mainis pero hindi ko maiiwasang sumang-ayon. IT’S HURT, YA KNOW?

Tumungo tayo sa kasaysayan ng Kasal. Ang kasal kahit noong panahon ni Kristo ay itinuturing nang banal, iba lang ang praktis. Ang lalaki at babae ay pipirma ng “marriage contract”, iyon ay seal na kinasal na sila. Ngunit, ang babae ay kailangan munang bumalik sa kanyang mga magulang at manirahan habang ang lalaki ay babalik rin sa kanyang lugar at magtatayo ng sariling bahay kung saan niya itataguyod ang kanyang tahanan. Kukunin muli ng lalaki ang babae at dadalhin sa kanyang “palasyo” at doon na mamumunga ang kanilang pagmamahalan.

Sa panahon ngayon ay mas binibigyang kahulugan ang reception kaysa sa kasalan. Kung fiesta naman ay mas kapansin-pansin ang litson kaysa sa mga tao. Aba e sa probinsya nga namin ay kahit hindi mo kakilala ang bagong kasal ay hindi ka mapaghahalatang nakikikain lang. Nagsipunta sila sa inyong tahanan dahil may “handaan”. HANDAAN, mga kapatid, HANDAAN! Maging dito sa Aspirancy ay mas napapansin ang ice cream kaysa sa nag-celebrate ng birthday.

Ang Ebanghelyo sa araw na ito ay tungkol sa Piging sa Kasalan. Ang kasalan ay may piging, feast, HANDAAN! Ang salitang “handâ” na tinutukoy ko diyan ay yung may mga pagkain. Mayroon pang isang salita sa Filipino na “handa” na halos kasintunog na rin niya pero ang ibig sabihin ay “ready.” Ito po ang LEAST na natatandaan natin. Ang mag-handa. Bakit nga ba? Ay alam ko na! Kasi nga, minsan nakakatamad. Hindi po ba? Bawat araw sa ating buhay ay isang paghahanda-getting and being ready. Kaya dapat tayo rin ay naghahanda-celebrating a feast. Kahit ako minsan may pag-aangal din lalo na kung walang tulog. Pero mas mabuti na ata yung walang tulog kaysa walang gising. Walang araw sa ating buhay na bumangon tayo para sa sarili lang natin. Ito ay iniaalay natin sa ibang tao kahit na hinihila pa tayo ng kama 5-minutes before Invitatory Prayers o classes. Parang piging lang iyan, isang pag-aalay sa kapwa.

Today, we are commemorating the Queenship of Mary. She was the one who uttered the words, “Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum (Be it done to me according to Your Word).” Si Maria ang pinakamagandang halimbawa ng taong naghanda. Kung inyong iisipin, bata pa noon si Maria. Malamang may pangarap siya na magkaroon ng sariling pamilya, saganang pamumuhay at makilala ng buong komunidad. A bright future was waiting for her! Ngunit inihanda niya ang kanyang sarili sa mas magandang bagay at iyon ay ang pagtanggap na maging ina ng Panginoon. Handa na siya hindi upang maging ina ni Kristo kundi sa pagtanggap sa anumang plano ng Diyos dahil malakas ang kanyang pananalig. Hindi kagaya ng taong dumalo sa Wedding Feast na hindi maayos ang kasuotan. Siya ay pinalayas dahil kahit imbitado siya ay parang hindi siya willing na magdiwang kasama ang mga tao. Kung sa panahon natin iyan nangyayari ay malamang sasabihin ng taong bihis-na-bihis na “UNFAIR NAMAN!” dahil naghanda siya pero siya pala yung hindi invited.

One passage was shared to us by our Math teacher when I was in 2^nd year high school and it goes like this, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Kung ating iisipin ay may mga pagkakataon sa buhay nating hindi talaga natin mapaghahandaan dahil hindi inaasahan. Malamang si Maria rin ay nagulat na biglang pinadala ng Diyos si Anghel Gabriel upang ipahayag na siya’y malilihi’t manganganak ng isang lalaki na tatawagin niyang Hesus. The preparation which this passage would like to stress is the preparation of our character’s strength whenever we receive either a good or bad news. Pero may mga bagay naman na kayang-kaya talaga nating paghandaan lalung-lalo na school works, seminary activities at duties and responsibilities sa offices. Nakakalimutan lang po natin. Sometimes, we value the time so much that we forget to manage it. Or the other way around! We manage our time so much that we forget to value it. “Chronos” is the time we manage, while “Kairos”, on the other hand, is the time we value. They should come together and that is a test to every one of us.

Every second we are living in this world, we are invited to celebrate like we celebrate in a Wedding Feast. Yung tipong ayaw na natin umalis dahil masaya tayong nakikita ang mga taong sumusoporta sa bagong kasal. Natural iyon! Honeymoon stage e. Kahit naman syempre sa pagpapari ay nararanasan iyan. Every day that we are invited to join this Wedding Feast of the Lamb, we are also called for renewal of ourselves--dying (renouncing things) to uplift others. One requisite for us is to be ready. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na handa tayo ay bawat bahid ng dumi sa ating pagkatao ay kailangang alisin, pero wala namang mawawala sa atin kung ating gagawin ang pagbabago ng taos-puso. If we change for the better, mga kapatid, you will see that people will love you more. We should willingly enjoy the Wedding Feast as if no one can stop us. That is the true essence of “handaan” or “piging”. Ang Handaan ay pinaghandaan. And people will appreciate something that has been prepared for them if it came from the heart.

Sa totoo lang, itong Gospel reflection kong ito ay isang linggo kong pinaghandaan. Ako’y nagnilay-nilay kung ano ba ang maganda kong maipapahayag sa inyo, mga kapatid. Kaya ang hiling ko lang ay sana na-appreciate ninyo ang aking paghahanda.

Ang akin na lamang paghahandaan ngayon ay kung paano ako babatikusin ng publiko sa sinulat kong ito.

God bless everyone! ENJOY LIFE!