~ linked to Duane Scott's in everything give thanks ~
It was raining when I went to celebrate Mass one Sunday afternoon. Water rose to knee high level after an hour of harsh rain, and even if the Church was just a walking distance to our house, I knew I would not be able to pass through.
As I was looking for another way, a young woman came to me and told me that she lived in our street and she saw me earlier walking to the Church. We crossed the foot bridge together and asked a tricycle driver if he could take us to Banawe. All of the drivers refused. I began to panic and prayed Oh God, I couldn't contact my parents (I was thinking perhaps my dad could fetch us but that would be next to impossible) and I didn't have money for transportation. See us through.
The young lady, as if reading my thoughts, readily lent me her cell phone and paid for me when a jeepney agreed to take us to our street. She even walked me to our house. I looked for her after a few days to thank her and to give her back her money but I never saw her after that.
This happened in 2010. Her name is Misa.
I remembered Misa as I braved the flooded streets of Vito Cruz yesterday.
There were no signs of vehicles that would pass to my place so I took the longer and safer route...
the train...
I had to take two more jeepney rides before I reach my place but the driver could only take us half way. The road was impassable along De Los Santos Hospital.
As we waited for rescue, I had a closer look at what was happening around me.
I saw a group of people distributing goods to the families whose houses were affected by the flood...
People were out in the street to help each other.
I noticed that people were talking to one another as if we all knew each other for a long time... I reckon that this does not happen on a sunny day when everybody is so busy to go to work in the morning and so tired to go home after work.
As I was reflecting on all these, a man approached me and told me that a jeepney was offering a ride. He rerouted and took the road to Roces and that was a better itinerary. I thanked God for this man's creativity. But then, we had to pass Araneta and Sto. Domingo which were also flooded.
They were both passable. Although not everybody risked to cross the flood. I felt like we were on a boat ride with all the water surrounding us. It was also raining very hard.
We were like a team inside that jeepney. I felt genuine concern towards each other. Everybody was asking where he or she would take off and how each could reach his/her place safely.
Three beautiful things crossed my mind yesterday:
It was the Feast of St. Dominic and they celebrated it well. They didn't have to invite people to come because the Church was occupied with all the evacuees in that place.
God sent His angels... they were scattered everywhere... in the form of that young woman who accompanied me, the man who told me of the jeepney ride, the drivers who unselfishly volunteered us rides, the people who distributed goods.
and
Misa...
the Filipino term for Mass...
Communion...
Eucharist...
~ a Sacrament
~ sacrifice
~ visible presence of Christ in the form of bread and wine...
~ remembrance of God's love...
thanksgiving...
mission...
"Love one another. As I have loved you."
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| Jesus alive in every heart! |