It is our delight to introduce to you this new section in Misyon-Our Hideaway. A venue for the youth to express themselves and to share with our readers their mind, their heart and their soul. We are inviting you – students and young professionals – to drop by Our Hideaway and let us know how you are doing.

Lilies in the Field

By Leopoldo Zerrudo, Jr.

She smiled as I entered the hospital ward where she lay terminally ill of leukemia. I had been hesitant to visit her, fearing I would find her in great pain and misery. So I was greatly relieved to see her in good spirits, reaching out to me and to my companions as she whispered words of appreciation for all the kindness she had been receiving from the Columban Companions in Mission (CCIM) of which she was a member.

Mission promoters

Sonia Bacunawa was a founding member of the CCIM group established by Fr. Donal O’Hanlon in Manila in 1993. The group is comprised of some 25 young professionals who participate actively in the missionary work of the Columban Fathers. They have developed a deep spirituality and sense of mission in the Church. In addition to assisting in the mission awareness appeals, during Sunday Masses in Metro Manila, they divide themselves into six groups and conduct outreach activities for abused and abandoned children and for young inmates at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa.

Heaven’s usherette

Sonia had a special love for children. She excelled in reaching out to them, bringing them closer to God and building their self-esteem in the process. She had a particularly profound influence on a group of young street boys that she used to gather together regularly in Sta. Mesa.

Too soon to die

When Sonia became seriously ill, she had no family to take care of her. Her only sister lived in faraway Leyte and had a young family of her own. I wondered why God had not shown his care for Sonia by healing her. I prayed for a miracle to happen. Several times, I asked God to give me a sign that He truly existed and that He really loved all His creatures, especially Sonia, by healing her. She was only 43 and based on her dedication to life and her mission I felt that she had many more lives yet to be touched.

Foster family

But God, in His infinite wisdom and mystery, never granted my petition. Sonia passed away the day after my visit. But with her leaving, she left me a precious legacy: When I witnessed the love and concern that our group lavished on her, I realized that after all God is indeed a God who takes care of all His creatures.

Beautiful lily

The members of the CCIM were all touched by Sonia’s faith and courage in her suffering. That day when she bade us goodbye, we were gathered around her hospital bed. She was thanking us for being there for her, for the love and kindness showered upon her. “You are all beautiful!” she said. But she was even more beautiful. With the peace and love she radiated, she’s like a lily blooming in a field.  

 

Home alone for Christmas

By Elymel Garcia

A few days before Christmas, my uncle came to our house to bring us the sad news of my grandfather’s death. Immediately the whole family packed up to leave for Hinoba-an, a seaside town in the south of Negros, a four-hour drive along the coast away from Bacolod City. But I had to be left alone to look after our house. My mother said they would be back after a couple of days to prepare for the Christmas celebration.

Most awaited occasion

On Christmas Eve, I was very excited for their arrival, excited for the family to gather for the Noche Buena. It is the most special and important part of the year for me because of that sense of deeper love and oneness that binds the whole family together as we share the meal and exchange gifts.

Left Alone

Alas they never came and Christmas Eve was almost over. I started worrying as to what happened and getting frustrated because I couldn’t contact them in Hinoba-an, a faraway town where there were still no telephone connections. How could I ever celebrate Christmas without my family? I felt so lonesome and deprived

thinking that all the rest of the neighborhood were beginning their yuletide fun as they gathered for Noche Buena while I was all alone in the house, sulking to myself and counting my misfortunes.

Then a group of young carolers roused me from my wallowing. I got up and opened the door to give them some candies. They sang a couple of jolly Christmas jungles and with their warm, cheerful smile, they thanked me fro my kindness and reminded me to have a “Merry Christmas!”

Glitz and glitter

After the carolers left me alone again, I felt embarrassed at myself suddenly realizing how wrongly I got the meaning of Christmas. For me it meant partying and exchanging gifts with my family and friends, going to Simbang Gabi, and giving some coins to a beggar to add to it the spirit of giving. After all, it is this way for most of the people around the world these days. Christmas is defined in the glamour and glitter of gifts and parties and I was suddenly ashamed to admit that I, too, was guilty of this.

My best gift

This may sound so melodramatic of me but in this experience I have discovered a new meaning for Christmas: A King came down from His Heavenly throne to be born in a manger, giving to us the gift of His love and salvation. And I have been taking these gifts for granted by dwelling on what the world has to offer which oftentimes leaves me discontented.

For the first time in many Christmases that came and went, I was able to examine myself, know Him much better and be grateful to Him for the many things He has been blessing me with which I was just beginning to see.

P.S. My family came a few days after Christmas. There was some problem with the date of the funeral so they were not able to come home as promised. Well, better late than never.