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Saturday, February 15, 2003
Flavier: Heavenly question
By Juan Flavier
COMMENTARY
THE two farmers were good friends. They were like blood brothers--almost inseparable. Their wives chided them for spending more time together than with their spouses.
They were born in the same barrio and went to the same school together until they both dropped out when they were in sixth grade. They decided to be full-time farm hands and eventually acquired rice fields situated next to each other.
On Sundays, their regular ritual was having fun in the town sabungan. For the whole week, they would recount the incidents in the various tupada--those that won and why, the roosters that lost and their qualities. The discussions took place mostly in their farms and partly in their homes where they alternately visited each other during the early evenings.
As fate would have it, an accident occurred to a jeepney bound for town. The two farmers died instantly and found themselves in line to be processed at the gate of heaven. The first farmer was composed. He was at peace and resigned to his fate. But the second one was agitated and nervous.
“I wonder what questions are being asked,” whispered the latter with fear in his voice. “I have not been to church in a long time. It is only the sabungan that we religiously go to.”
“Don’t worry,” replied the first farmer. “I will go near the table of Saint Peter and eavesdrop. Then we’ll have an idea of the questions. We can at least review and prepare.”
So the first farmer did just that and returned with excitement.
“What did you find out?”
“Well it is so straightforward. Saint Peter simply asks who are the parents of Jesus Christ. That’s all. And the answer is, Joseph and Mary.”
“But I cannot remember that.”
“No problem. I will write the names on this empty cigarette pack. If you forget, just take a peek at this and that’s it.”
“Great!”
And the words were scribbled on the cigarette pack. The second farmer held on to it tightly for dear life, for from it depended whether he would end up in heaven or in hell.
Saint Peter was gentle and in a good mood when he asked the nervous farmer: “Name two of Jesus Christ’s 12 disciples.”
The farmer was at a loss and trembled even more. He was sure the names Joseph and Mary were the parents and not disciples. He frantically turned the cigarette pack over and blurted out, “Philip and Morris?”
(Juan Flavier writes for Sun.Star Baguio)
(February 15, 2003 issue)
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