Sunday, January 20, 2008 Luab: In the midst of revelry By Evelyn R. Luab Light Sunday
TODAY is fiesta day. Pit Senyor! We will be listening to the throbs of the Sinulog beat all day long. Thousands of our young and not so very young will be out in the streets enjoying the camaraderie of all who are celebrating.
The “no longer young” will be home, eyes glued to a TV set to be still very much a part of the fiesta we all are happy to celebrate.
In the midst of all the revelry, it would be good to reflect on what, how, and why we do what we are doing. Quietly in each of our hearts, let’s just ponder on what the fiesta is all about. What does it mean to me? How do I pay homage to the child Jesus who grew up to be the man who saved me from my sins? Finally, why did I pay homage to Him in the nine days of prayer and in the procession, which highlighted my days of prayer?
Many of us need the help of all of our senses to appreciate what we believe is to be appreciated. I still remember very vividly what we discussed with the late one-time mayor of Cebu, Ronald Duterte. We were talking about the many devotees of our Sto. Niño who jostle through the crowd, try to reach the image to be able to wipe a handkerchief or a small hand towel on any part of the image. When one of our friends commented on the manner of worship and said that the handkerchief was totally unnecessary, Ronnie, as he was fondly called said, “Ah, but remember when you try to remove something of value from those who firmly believe, then be prepared to replace it with something of equal value. Allow the devotees their handkerchiefs. Some people need physical contact.”
Whenever the feast of the Child Jesus comes, I am always struck by the fervor that thousands of us show during our prayers at the novena masses, at the procession or when quietly praying at the Sto. Niño Shrine. We know deep in our hearts that during His feast, the asking for favors with deep faith is done.
Thousands, too, take this feast as an occasion to give thanks not only for past favors granted, but also for all the blessings showered on us.
Scientists and environmentalists will probably say that our good fortune of not being beset by earthquakes, typhoons, landslides, and great floods is due to our location, or whatever. Most of us, however, are so grateful to the child Jesus, and to our Mother Mary for keeping us safe through our prayers.
Again, I come back to how we pray. Believe me. In the number of years I’ve spent in Cebu City and in depressed areas, I’ve seen how Cebuanos fervently pray. Praise God for that. In spite of what cynics say about vigilantes, about corrupt officials and policemen, we Cebuanos will never be a hopeless community.
Perhaps before the day is over, as we shout “Pit Senyor,” let us thank the Lord for the bonding we Cebuanos have with each other. Of this I am very sure.
Even if I were mad at either Mayor Tomas Osmeña or Gov. Gwen Garcia, believe me, we three would stick together if we found ourselves outside Cebu or anywhere else in the Philippines mainly because our pride in being from Cebu will be the drawing power of relatedness.
After our prayer of gratitude, let us then ask that Cebu will rise faster in financial stability so that the many sectors, where dire poverty is predominant, would lessen in number. Our one need really is that. We are very hopeful.
To mention a few, we have the Basilica del Santo Niño, the Redemptorist church, the Guadalupe church, and the Sto. Rosario church, which all teem with prayerful people. If the rich and the poor can only get together, we will be a better Cebu. If we all strive to live our Christian values and live a life of generosity, kindness and love of neighbor, then that day will come. Let’s pray for that as we pay homage today and shout “Pit Senyor!”
