Acts of kindness
In my early 40s I did something I felt so right, if for no one else but myself: I left a 20-year marriage blessed with four children, all in their late teens, except the youngest. For a long time it would haunt me as a continuing sin, and wondered if the Church could ever forgive me.
I had continued to hear Mass even so, but kept away from the Eucharist, until I saw no point in going to Mass at all. I felt like someone invited to a wedding, but not to the reception.I had fallen out of grace, but couldn’t let go of my God. I therefore sought God in other religions that did not impose the rules I had broken. Eastern philosophy was particularly welcoming, and I was quite comfortable as a subscriber to it for a while.
When I met Vergel, my life became even more complicated, and living with him, even after we each had gotten our civil annulments and eventually gotten married, I still couldn’t see any reason for the Church to open its doors to the likes of us. Vergel accompanied me in my search for an accepting God, through different paths. Fortunately there were as many paths to God as he had names.
More positive view
In my research I came upon fresh knowledge that expanded my human view and understanding of God. Along the way I picked up selective “truths” here and there and inadvertently put Him together like a jigsaw puzzle for my better understanding, without, of course, contradicting my own faith.I believe God is a dynamic God, involved and invested in each of us. He can change his mind as well as his plans. I believe that the world He created is a work in progress. It is my presumption that God loves us not despite ourselves, but because we are what we are, and that, like the world He created, we too are a work in progress. He must be as amazed at us as we are at Him, even as we can know so little of Him. Once upon a time He knew our beginning and end, but that changed when he gave us free will. We, therefore, are capable of giving Him a few surprises ourselves.
I’m resolving to begin the new year with a kinder and more positive view of things. Instead of being alarmed by the increase in number of special or autistic children, for instance, I will look at it as God’s way of balancing the evil that abounds; I will see them as Earth angels absolutely incapable of sinning. I don’t pretend to know anything for sure, least of all why God does things the way He does. But wouldn’t the families of these angels feel blessed and transformed by the presence of a pure being in their lives?
I also want to look kinder at same-sex unions. For all I know they could be God’s loving solution to overpopulation.
Why look at artificial insemination or having surrogate moms as tampering with nature when they could be an insurance that every birth be planned and hoped for? Instead of having unwanted pregnancies that could result in abortion, every child born could be welcomed by those who opt for parenthood by some other means.
Love is love
Has anyone noticed how animals are becoming more human, even as some humans are degenerating into beasts? God seems to be expanding the boundaries of love. Love is love. Maybe we shouldn’t get upset when pets receive the attention and love children should be getting instead. He could be encouraging people to love and care for pets, because pets would never break their parent’s hearts as some children often do.
It took a Pope, once thought an infallible office, like Francis to have the humility to say, “Who are we to judge?” And if I may I add, what do we really know of God’s ways? Francis would bless same-sex unions rather than close the Church door on them. Isn’t it best to choose the kinder alternative to outright condemnation? Please, dear priests, give anyone who asks, God’s blessings.
On my 75th birthday, Fr. Tito Caluag, after saying Mass, blessed me and Vergel. That act of kindness was enough to change the direction of our lives.
Which again recalls Francis, this time reminding us that, no matter what, we always have the option to be kind. INQ
