Danny Pilario·Sunday, April 21, 2019
The women with spices for him did not find his body. Peter and John ran to the tomb. Jesus was not there. Instead, he saw the burial cloths. Mary of Magdala saw the stone removed. She thought someone stole his body. She complained to the gardener. But something different happened. Two disciples was so disappointed. They thought they were mistaken in trusting the young preacher Jesus. They were ready to go back to their old lives until…
Two years ago, these orphans were distraught. After the brutal killing of their fathers, life drastically changed for them. Life was hard before. But it became harder now.
There were days that they had nothing to eat, said one. Many of them blamed God. At their very young age, they quarrelled with God: “Why my father? What about us? Who will take care of us?” Some stopped schooling. When we first journeyed with them, they were not talking. All they had were tears and blank stares. One or two were just looking far at nowhere.
But something changed. Something different happened.
They still cry when they remember him. They still feel the pain. Life is still so precarious. No one is really sure what the future brings. Justice is still not being served. And maybe not in the near future.
But light appears somewhere. They feel something hopeful, something joyful. Now they can smile. Now they can play. Now they can sing.
Thanks to Baigani and Bawat Isa Mahalaga for inviting them and teaching them to sing. Credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKH3xisSP-c
I did not deliver my homily at the Easter vigil. I just requested them to sing a song composed for them, and share their story of hope.
Their song is brave and courageous. And to hear it from the mouth of children, it becomes prophetic.
“Bayan ko’y sakal ng hambog, ganid at hangal
Panaigan nawa ng may dunong at dangal
At kung bawat isa’y tumayo’t manindigan,
ang kapwa magiging ating kanlungan.”
“Ang wasto’y gagawin, ang mali ay uusigin
Bawat naliligaw kapit-bisig na akayin
Bawat isip ay buksan, bawat puso ay baguhin
Dahil ang bawat isa’y mahalaga sa atin.”
(Composer and lyricist: Julius Fernandez)
While they were singing and sharing, I was looking at their mothers sitting at the pews. They were crying. But this time, these are also tears of joy. They also feel something hopeful. For themselves. For their children.
I asked the children to light their candles from the Paschal candle and distribute it to the people. Like Magdalene, they are the new messengers of the resurrection. With our lighted candles, we all stood up and joined them in singing their song.
I told the parish community gathered for the Easter vigil:
“These children are our present witnesses to the resurrection. They underwent death. All they saw for now are the burial cloths. But their lives already tell us that Jesus is truly risen!”
Happy Easter to all!
From the children of Project SOW (Solidarity with Orphans and Widows)
Ina ng Lupang Pangako Parish, Payatas B, Quezon City
