Blessings

The disciples had forgotten to bring more bread and had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then Jesus warned them, “Keep your eyes open and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” And they said to one another, “He saw that we have no bread.”

Aware of this, Jesus asked them, “Why are you talking about the loaves you are short of? Do you not see or understand? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that don’t see and ears that don’t hear? And do you not remember when I broke the five loaves among five thousand? How many baskets full of leftovers did you collect?” They answered, “Twelve.” “And having seven loaves for the four thousand, how many wicker baskets of leftovers did you collect?” They answered, “ Seven.” Then Jesus said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

Mark 8: 14-21

Early yesterday morning, I waited for Imee Gines in a restaurant in the vicinity of Quezon City Hall. Imee is the owner of the chain of photocopying shops called “Blessings.” Imee and Nella Sarabia, owner of Sarabia Optical at the UP Shopping Center, have agreed to help me with the P10,500 cash bond which the court demanded after I failed to appear at the hearing held last December 9, 2009.

I was short of cash and did not want to burden my parents with this latest financial obligation. Last Friday, I visited Nella Sarabia at her Optical Clinic and asked for Imee who fortunately was in her office. I informed them of my difficulty due to a Warrant of Arrest recently issued by Branch 100 under Judge Cristine Jacob. It did not take too long for Imee and Nella to understand my situation. The two literally tried to outdo each other in generosity. After that visit, I felt so blessed.

While Imee and I sat and ate breakfast, I saw Fr. Martin, parish priest of Immaculate Heart of Mary in UP Village. I excused myself and ran outside to greet Fr. Martin. Since he was not in a hurry for anything, he agreed to join us for coffee. I explained to Fr. Martin why I was meeting with Imee. Without second thoughts, Fr. Martin dug into his wallet and donated an amount to me. Later, Fr. Martin also paid for our breakfast. A few minutes later, my phone rang. Atty. Garnet of Atty. Frank Chavez’s law firm was on the line. He was on his way to fetch me for our trip to Quezon City Hall of Justice to pay the cash bond.

Fr. Martin left and Imee stayed with me for a few more minutes until Atty. Garnet arrived. I thanked Imee, who handed me P 10, 500 in an envelope plus an additional amount for my other expenses. I requested Atty. Garnet to follow me to my mechanic in Kalayaan Avenue. Last Sunday, I had a hard time starting the Jeep because of loose battery terminals. It was a good thing that the driver of Among Ed knew some troubleshooting. He identified the problem quickly: loose battery terminals. Thanks to the help that Fr. Martin and Imee gave me, I could have my jeep fixed.

From my mechanic’s shop in Kalayaan Avenue, I rode Atty. Garnet’s car to Quezon City Hall of Justice. We looked for Branch 100. As we entered, familiar faces smiled at me. It has been almost six years since I attended my last hearing for this case. It seemed such a long time. But I recognized some of the faces. There was Phoebe who helped us with the Cash Bond receipts. The other faces were very familiar. I am sure that when the hearings resume on April 8 I will get to know them again and better.

Atty Garnet patiently accompanied me around the Quezon City Hall of Justice. I realized that I could do all this alone, but this young lawyer stayed with me and made sure that everything was in place. When we finally paid the cash bond and received a copy saying the warrant of arrest had been lifted, we thanked Phoebe and left. I invited Atty. Garnet for snacks. We sat down somewhere for coffee. Later, another colleague of Atty. Garnet chanced upon us and joined us for coffee. Atty. Nanding started telling me about his desire to see, do and be more. He wanted to talk to me some more about what I do, saying that perhaps he, too, could be part of a bigger vision. Atty. Garnet told me about his mother who was quite excited about her son helping me.

Between Imee and Fr. Martin at breakfast and these two young lawyers at morning coffee break, I felt happy and blessed. Not only these four years of being away were overflowing with blessings, but the almost 55 years of my life and 28 years of my priesthood are years so rich and blessed. Thank you, Lord.

Bless, Lord, the people who continue to help me and show me your blessings. Make us all blessings to one another, that this world will be happier, more peaceful and more free to do your liberating will. Amen.

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