Dear Father

Bakit marami ang tawag kay Mama Mary?

-Justine Angsantos

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Dear Justine,

Maganda ang tanong mo Justine. Hindi ba ang isang tao kung mayroong kabutihang nagagawa sa kanyang buhay at para sa kapwa ay kadalasan binibigyan ng tawag? Halimbawa: si Cory Aquino—ang ina ng demokrasya; si Manny Pacquiao—ang pambansang kamao; si Lorenzo Ruiz—ang unang santong martir ng Pilipinas; at marami pang iba. Gayundin naman kay Mama Mary, marami ang tawag o taguri sa kanya dahil sa kanyang matapat na pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos.

Ang mga taguring ito ang nagpapakita na malapit si Maria sa atin. Laging kasama si Mama Mary sa paglalakbay ng bayan ng Diyos, pang-araw-araw na buhayng mga pamilya, pagsubok, at sa ating mga pangangailangan. Ngunit dapat din nating tandaan: bilang katuruan ng Simbahang Katoliko, na ang lahat niyang taguri ay tumutukoy lamang sa iisang tao—kay Birhang Maria—at walang kompetisyon sa iba’t ibang tawag sa kanya. Lahat ng ito ay pantay-pantay lamang ang turing. Ang mga ito ay patunay lamang na may malapit na kaugnayan si Maria sa buhay natin.

Bigyan kita, Justine, ng ilang mga tawag kay Mama Mary (sanggunian: ang librong “...at naroon ang Ina...” pag-aaral tungkol sa Mahal na Birhen ni Msgr. Leandro N. Castro):

Bilang pribilehiyo

• Ina ng Diyos (Mother of God)
• Ipinaglihing walang sala (Immaculate Conception)
• Birhen (Virgin)
• Iniakyat sa Langit (Assumption)

Mga piling titulo ni Mama Mary

• Reyna ng Mundo
• Reyna ng Kabanal-banalang Rosaryo
• Reyna ng mga Apostol
• Ina ng Laging Saklolo
• Ina ng Mabuting Kahatulan
• Inang Nagdadalamhati
• Mahal na Birhen ng Bundok ng Carmelo
• Our Lady of the Rule
• Mary, Help of Christians

Ilang mga debosyon kay Maria sa Pilipinas

• Mahal na Birhen ng Antipolo
• Mahal na Birhen ng Manaoag
• Mahal na Birhen ng Peñafrancia
• Reyna ng Kapayapaan
• Reyna ng mga Bulaklak

Mga lugar ng pagpapakita (aparisyon) ni Maria:

• Guadalupe
• Rue du Bac (Mapaghimalang Medalya)
• Lourdes
• Fatima

Sana nakatulong sa iyo, Justine, ang sagot kong ito sa iyong katanungan. Alam mo ba na ang pinakamahalag sa lahat ng sinabi ko sa iyo, ay tayo bilang mga katoliko ay magkaroon nawa ng malalim na debosyon kay Mama Mary. Samahan mo pa ito ng pagmamahal at pagtutulad sa kanyang mga mabuting pamumuhay, siguradong nasa mabuti kang landas. Sino ba namang mabuting ina ang magtuturo sa kanyang anak ng masamang bagay, wala di ba?

Ipagdasal at gabayan ka nawang lagi at ang bansang Pilipinas ni Mama Mary tulad ng ginawa niya kay Hesus.

Fr. Ronald

DIWA NG PAROKYA COLUMN

Moved by Mass Songs
by Claude Lucas C. Despabiladeras

At times during masses, I marvel at the message, theme and literary merits of certain songs whenever I read their lyrics projected on the white screen behind the commentator’s podium. On occasion, as I desperately try (to no avail) to sing in tune with our ROLP Choir, who always gives whatever song they have in their repertoire a superbly moving rendition, I end up reflecting on my own actions and life in general. Such is the effect of certain mass songs on me (and I am sure, on many others, too). What’s more, I have also been inspired to compose a song.

Some weeks ago, the inspiration that I had been waiting for (for about a year, actually) finally kicked in, and so I wrote a poem. The sentiments expressed in my composition are drawn from my own experiences and feelings, my musings, readings (mostly essays by the youth), and conversations with other people.
After reading my piece, Father Macale suggested that I contribute it to this Sinag issue. So it is exactly that—my offering —which follows this paragraph. Since most of the people who have also previously read it told me that they could relate to it one way or another, I will leave it open for the reader’s —your —interpretation. Here is…

RETURNING TO MY LORD

‘Twas the easy road, I thought, I was drawn to that direction.
Although it was wrong, I gave in to the temptation.
I heard His voice calling, but I covered both my ears.
I ran away, I disobeyed, despite His flowing tears.
I braved that cold and lonely path not knowing where to go.
I thought there was no turning back, but I felt really low.
So when I stopped in all that darkness, admitting I was lost.
I cried and then ran back to Him, regretting what I’ve caused.
Stay with me, Lord, be with me every minute, every day.
Stay with me, keep me Yours, don’t ever let me go astray.
I realized I hurt You so when I ignored Your call.
Can’t do it on my own, I need You badly after all
So reach out Your hand again
I’m sorry now, returning now
I’m here, knowing that I can
I’m humbled now, ready to bow
Before Your greatness, Lord
To You alone, my Lord.
I hear Your voice calling, I hear it loud and clear.
I’ll do Your ways, I will obey, for You I will be here.
I’m with You, Lord, I’m with You every minute every day
I cling to You, I’m truly Yours, with You forever I stay.

__

Dakilang Ina
ni Leslie Mendezabal


Ano itong aking nakikita
Maamong mukha na kaaya-aya
Masarap pagmasdan
‘Di nakakasawa.
Tulad ng iyong mga gawa
Noong ika’y nasa lupa
Pagiging ina
Sa lahat ng madla.
Opo ina, ikaw nga ay dakila
Sa pinamalas mong pambihira
Pagmamahal, pagkalinga
Sa anak ng lumikha.
Hirap, sakit, at dusa
Sa iyong mga mata
Ang siyang nakita
Subali’t ina, ito’y iyong kinaya.
Kung kaya’t , sa’yo
Kami ay dumadalangin
Pagiging ina
Sa ami’y isalin.


Diwa ng Parokya column welcomes readers to send in their essays, poems, songs, comic strips, short stories , etc. about the Catholic religion, parish life, spirituality, or any related topic.