I was born to a family that had different faiths. Papa was a Protestant, Mama, a devout Catholic. Most people would say that a difference in religion makes one’s marriage at high risk for problems… luckily I guess, not so much for us. And you will see by the end of this post, it even worked to its greatest advantage.
For some reason, I never really knew our dad was a Protestant… until I was probably in High School. Maybe I never really bothered asking, I thought he just didn’t want to go with us for mass on Sundays. He didn’t pray the rosary with us or novenas every All Souls’ Day, but he knew a lot about the bible — verses and all, and could go on and on explaining to us what certain passages meant. In his last months before he died, he was always tuned-in to GEM TV and UNTV programs. He loved debating about preachings — commenting, correcting and contradicting — I suppose he was a man who explored his faith, dug deep, and pushed it to the limit.
On the other hand, we grew up as a Catholic, like our Mom… we were schooled in a Catholic school, we learned about faith through books. Attending masses were required, prayers were memorized and recited, sins were confessed and sacrifices were offered. I studied Christianity, the saints and the bible — but I could never be described as spiritual or religious. But still I was faithful, still I was prayerful. I enjoyed the peace that praying the rosary gave, I felt the excitement of listening to the Gospel readings for the day, I loved singing for the Lord during masses.
Of course, I wasn’t constantly or solidly on either side of the coin. From being strictly Catholic, I spent months with Opus Dei after college. After that, there was a year I went to mass everyday. There was also a time I went to GCF and VCF — two very popular Christian groups. I also experienced “Bring a friend” Thursdays at Iglesia Ni Kristo. I also went on Wednesday novenas all the way at Baclaran for a while. And because I work in a school, I was lucky enough to have recollections, retreats and reach-outs, even First Friday masses and October rosary devotion. As you can see, I did “explore” my faith in a hodge-podge of ways!
So how do I describe my faith now?
For 3 years, I have been loyally reading and reflecting on the Bible Diary — a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines (my first in 2006 was a gift). It contains daily readings of biblical texts and commentaries for the 365 days of the year. It allows me some time for prayer and reflection rooted on the words of God. It helps me discover and understand the Bible more and it makes me happy reading it because it snaps me back to the reality that God is all goodness and mercy and expects us to be the same towards others.
This year, I also felt a renewed need for hearing mass. It was something I used to enjoy and I wanted to re-strengthen that side of me again. It also makes for great bonding with my mom, since the last time we regularly went to mass together was way back in the 80′s. I know it makes her happy to be in church and I know those 2 hours we spend together on Sundays in this delightful little place called St. Pio Center are simply precious. It helps a lot that the 2-man acoustic singers in the chapel really helps one pray and Fr. Odon’s gospels are simple, direct-to-the-point and always tugs at the conscience, begging for everyone to do their share no matter how simple.
It’s great to have an “infused” sense of faith and living. Papa and the word of God + Mama and the sacred rituals = Me and my beliefs. The Bible Diary is my daily sustenance of hope while going to mass at St. Pio is my weekly dose of piety. Both remind me that God is my Father and that I am his child. And as he does what a good Father does for his child, so should I as his daughter.
It’s important to nurture the spirit, most especially in these trying times. Of course I make mistakes and commit sin, as every human being does, but I try to stay as close and as true to what I believe is the right thing to do — sow seeds of goodness and love. I know there’s got to be a next stop — apostolate and ministry but I will get there. In the meantime, I take off each day on a wing and a prayer – to God, Jesus, Mary and all the saints in heaven!
So let’s all pray today for a blessed tomorrow! 
Let your faith grow and your spirit will live!
Photo credits: www.berkatrice1.blogspot.com and www.docgelo.wordpress.com
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