People Who Need People

Ave Maria:-)

Has it been 2 weeks since the family reunion... here is an honest confession ..whether it was our family reunion in Cebu...a dear friend's 60th birthday...a recent parish youth Life in the Spirit formation seminar... or just plain staying at home , having a relaxed day with Tatay , Lola Lina ...Josh .... teasing each other...doing things together when the situation or chore permits .... it was... each and every incident ..an opportunity to experience God's mighty and abundant love.... His caress..his persistence... his protection..his affirmation... his healing..his Divine Providence coming thru either gentle raindrops or a powerful outpouring ...torrents of blessing drenching us..filling us.. building to our wholeness.

Marissa my 1st cousin is leaving tomorrow... then a few days later her mom, siblings, son, nephews nieces will also return to the U.S.

At Cebu meanwhile... tho most of us had already left ..there still are a few lingering on...Roy and his family --- his presence has inspired other male cousins to go visit another cousin in Dumaguete...perhaps an overnite visit, pahabol mini-reunion , it has also happened to the Manila contingent here  --- this makes me smile .... hahaha.... they have not yet had their fill of bonding.

On the surface perhaps most will think...well gee whiz....this is the coolest thing ever... we're blood relatives and we so get along and love each other inspite of ourselves. Hep, hep..hep ...lest you think that this joy can only be produced by a wonderful family gathering please please let me joyously share with you this reflection : That this same joy can be replicated many times over...and it need not be triggered only by presence of loved ones... but even happen with complete strangers.

Now you think I'm really cuckoo... but I am not... or if this be cuckoo... then may it be like this for me till I cross-over to the next life hahaha...

Whether you agree with me or not dear friend  .... it is God's real presence ... how He mysteriously reaches out to us.. gives palpable joy and sincerity, truth and love to our gatherings ---- it is Him...it is Jesus, yesterday , today and forever.

Only thing is...we haven't really quite gotten the hang of it.

We smugly think we have been happy and fulfilled because we did the planning...or certain people we like and love were present ... or becoz all the elements were purrfect like the weather, the food... da,da,da.....we list all the reasons that make an occasion a Definite 'Success'..... list/name all reasons except GOD - The Main Reason ... yes, it can be so.

Barbra Streisand sang People who need people ..are the luckiest people in the world .... at the reunion... at the 60th bday party of my friend...at the youth formation seminar in church...or at home with my very small family -- Barbra's song could be the theme song. In all of those occasions -- people just reached out to others in trust and in love --- experiencing belongingness... acceptance...respect...perhaps forgiveness too.

Barbra's voice soars and she sings : And yet letting our grown-up pride..hide all the need inside..acting more like children..than children -- Lovers they're very special people .... what a spectacular song...

Lovers need not be limited to romantic lovers .... at the youth formation seminar...youths who really met most participants for the first time experienced something special ( as tho they made new friends with the possibility of becoming true friends) .... at my friend's birthday party held so simply but sweetly -- just a small gathering of those closest to her , who journeyed with her -- it was special.No Shangrila, Ritzy hotel... but joy and sweetness permeated the air... my friend is a gem of a person ..a mother figure and those who greeted her that night expressed their gratitude and love both to her and to God.

at home, whenever peace and God's love reigns  -- it is priceless.

at the family reunion in Dalaguete, Cebu and even the spill-over mini-reunions in smaller groups -- you could cry for joy ...

Many times relatives would blurt out ...I love my family...family.... family -- but really dear ones -- it was more than mere blood and DNA connecting.

It is God who shows us His face , allows us to experience his love and presence thru each other.

God shows, reveals to us bits and pieces of Him..His goodness and beauty shining thru each one of us --

Sharing with you a few more fotos .... when we remember who we truly are: Man created in the image and likeness of God, redeemed by Christ His Only Begotten Son -- it is impossible not to exude and share God's goodness and love -- it will come out so very naturally out of our pores and we need not even try hard. It just happens because we are who we truly are...

in Christ.

To loved ones who are already planning the next reunion...may we include always Jesus in the Guest List and we can be certain our joy will be complete.

God bless all.....te mye