That time, I still questioned “WHY?” The news about the death of a 21-year old student who joined a militant group came closely after I finished writing my homily for January 11. I felt so frustrated upon realizing that my words were too shallow compared to the real grounded immersions these people are experiencing. So I thought of changing the content of my homily in order to match the news event’s heavy impact as regards missiology. But after a deep reflection, I was able to conclude, “No, I will deliver this homily as is, except for just a basic yet significant group of words which I will add to the end part”. What was the bold word? FORMATION. And I quote the exact words: “Let us continue our advocacies and rescue more people through the very example of Jesus AND THROUGH THE FORMATION THAT WE LEARN FROM THE SEMINARY. Mao unta kana atong pukot o inspirasyon sa atong pagpanagat”; otherwise, people will misinterpret what Jesus intensively shared with the less fortunate, and thus become fundamentalists.
This experience is just one of the many realizations as to what my vision of PEACE in Mindanao is. And my keyword for peace is formation: EDUCATION. And here are more of my realizations:
The series and seemingly-never-ending killings and kidnappings by militant groups made me wish that an atomic bomb should have been dropped to exterminate ALL Muslims. Though the degree of my prejudice and bias was not that intense compared probably to those living in Basilan, I, an Iliganon, still grew up instilled with fear and biases possibly due to some elders’ and environment’s passed-on attitude against the Muslims. But thankfully, it never ended there. For just recently, a modular course on Islam and Inter-Religious Dialogue and a few personal experiences gradually cleared the log off my eyes. Experiencing life with the very kind and patient NGO social worker Asimah during our GY Pastoral Formation program was one transformative experience. Encountering a very generous and kind old Muslim woman who offered me a vacant seat in the bus added more flavor to the excellent re-evangelization our well-grounded professors shared with us during our Islam class sessions. Honestly and thankfully, my prejudices and biases against Muslims were gradually gone; for I soon realized that just as there are not-so-good Christians, there too are billions of kind Muslims. Knowledge and experience: they became my teachers. They formed me anew. EDUCATION.
I was given the privilege to give a recollection with the Umayamnon Tribe student scholars of Tatay Mat Sanchez, SJ during my Ministry Year as a teacher and kuya at Cabanglasan Bukidnon last 2007. Their presence at school with a majority of Bisaya innately affected their self-esteems. With a whole heart, God made me able to express to the young Lumads what our Church constantly advocates: “equality in dignity”…to go to school, to play, to enjoy their youthful life. Until now, it’s a process. They’ll soon grow, and we see hope. EDUCATION.
Since I was a child, I thought peace is merely an absence of war. Later, I realized, that in this universe, there will always be differences; as there are different parts in a body. That’s why Jesus calls for unity. It is on one’s failure or negligence to see what good is to be done in the midst of differences. How distressing will it then become for Muslim elementary pupils to grow with still the DISCRIMINATION in mind upon seeing on a poster of their classroom wall a very clear insensitive information: PAMBANSANG PAGKAIN: LECHON (As shared with us by Fr. Paul, and I affirm!). EDUCATION.
Part of the question I asked in prayer (following the news event of the young student who joined a militant group and was killed last December) was, “Up to what level do we give our whole selves to mission? What or who should be our root principle? How did Fr. Angel, SJ lived out his mission for 41 years at Ipil without becoming a revolutionist?” I could ask well-grounded missiologists like Sr. Fe for these. But in my reflection, I believe Fr. Angel have the mission basics that sustained him. On the FAITH part, Fr. Angel simply knew how to PRAY. Because when one prays, he knows that he can’t do everything. Beyond his human capacities, he has to submit his will, freedom, memories, all that he has to GOD’s will and love. Padre has experienced being forgiven, so he too learned how to forgive and love enemies. And on the GROUND part, I am sure padre underwent a wholistic formation long before he became a priest that transformed him into a more compassionate servant. He was taught. FAITH. EDUCATION.
Allow me to express my vision of peace in myself. This, I believe, may help in attaining PEACE in larger contexts if only individuals allow themselves to be formed from within first. I have personal issues; dates back to the hang-ups and deprivations I experienced as a child. But thanks to the Human Formation in the seminary, the Priestly Growth Accompaniment with Ate Venus G. helped me a lot in opening my whole self naked before the process of healing. Consequently, I was brought to the awareness of my issues, then beginning to accept them and still on the patient process of taming my wild issues. Without the formation, I could not see this and continue to be superficial to my very self. Without the formation, I could not learn that ASSERTIVENESS (as with the active non-violence of Christ and Gandhi) is the best tool for peace within me, and NOT AGGRESSION. If only each individual is given the chance to practice assertiveness, then PEACE in our place would no longer be that far to reach. See how EDUCATION matters.
I once thought of DEVELOPMENT as one of the best tools for peace: fighting poverty! Yes, in fact, I am an advocate for that. But if we go deeper to its roots; it still points out fundamentally to EDUCATION first. You can’t plant rice on an unearthed stiff soil.
Fundamentalists still want to claim what they strongly believe was lost from them: the land of MINDANAO. If only they were properly educated before, they would realize that lands are shared, not owned selfishly. I love to teach and so I see how badly-needed, essential and noble teachers are! Silsilah, pious NGOs, POs, academes, sincere government leaders, Church leaders – we may not be able to straighten “bent old trees” anymore, but there’s still so much brimming hope if we SOUNDLY educate our future Muslims, Christians and Lumads of Mindanao. EDUCATION goes beyond religion. Yes, differences are always there. Bullets will soon be history. The chalk, tongue, heart and good hands were, are, and will always be the armor of PEACE. And so we pray, may the fire of our passion to educate be not extinguished.
Mama Mary, Queen of Peace, PRAY FOR US.
No comments:
Post a Comment