Wednesday, October 29, 2008

"Who can say if I've been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good"

Our prayers and kind thoughts to all those who have gone ahead of us, who have left a handprint on our hearts, touched our lives in more ways than one... we remember you during these days.

This poignant song is the farewell song of the two witches of Oz, Glinda the Good and Elphaba now the "Wicked" Witch of the West, who have choosen separate paths while honoring each other's presence in their respective destinies and journeys.

FOR GOOD

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda):
Because I knew you

(Both):
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

(Glinda):
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both):
And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda):
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba):
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both):
Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda):
And because I knew you...

(Elphaba):
Because I knew you...

(Both):
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good...

Friday, October 24, 2008

Prayers and Kind Thoughts

Our prayers and kind thoughts go out to the families of Pompeyo Nolasco & Manny Distor who gone ahead from this life. May the peace of Christ, that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds always. +

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Coke Floats and Boundaries

We had a nice surprise last thursday.
Someone brought ice cream for share during Baga*
Hmmm...
Freaky and damp weather or not, the allure of plunging a scoop of ice cream into a glass of Coke was hard to resist.
There is a strange feeling of sharing experiences while slurping on ice-cream filled sprite on a dreary thursday night.
While our islamic brothers and sisters celebrated the end of ramadan, a few gathered to take stock of our individual stories, step back to see the slow work of the Spirit & seek support for each of our journeys.
For many of us, there are many things in each of our lives that we experience, receive and accept that makes us full of gratitude ( job promotions, productivity, community, good family life) while there are other things in our lives which make us scratch our heads, wonder and say "anu ba yun?"
One thing we all agree: relationships, at any level, maybe a constant source of support, appreciation and gratitude.
They give us the neccessary boost in the arm, a glimpse of acceptance, affection, peace and trust which we need, once in awhile, in a world full of strangers.
On the otherhand, relationships can also contribute to our sense of personal confusion and utter bewilderment which leaves us with a sense of estrangement in our journey of discovering our selves.
Perhaps, it is in that strange sense of estrangement where boundaries come in.
All of us, slurping on Coke Float, deeply felt that in various times, we have all built, discovered, embraced and, at certain points, compromised our personal boundaries in more ways than one.
All of us are in a journey of embracing a sense of who we are, though we are forgetful that our personal boundaries dwell in a silent and hidden place, which we have to ardently search for with honesty, courage and trust.
It is a silent place where we can dialogue with our very selves:
  • where do my own boundaries begin and where do they end;
  • where do my boundaries of friendship end and take the next step into something more intimate;
  • can i allow myself to trust & be vulnerable again, inspite and despite of all that has happened;
  • where do i let go of a relationship that i admit brings out the worst in me;
  • if i know what i do hurts the people i truly love why do i continue;
  • do i turn my boundaries into a wall till the right time comes when i can open myself again;
And maybe, its in that silent and hidden place where we can meet & dialogue with our selves again, and perhaps, be found by a boundless and infinite Love.
Question is, does the Coke Float make sharing sweeter, or do they make the difficult truths "easier" to articulate?
that we will never know.
*Baga Evenings are scheduled gatherings in various locations that welcome all (whether retreat alumni from Fr. Ted Gonzales, SJ charism-retreat groups or friends of retreat alumni ) to take stock of their present situation, a step back to see the bigger perspective and articulate/share the support one will need to take the next steps of one's journey.