TERESITA

SCRUTATIO SCRIPTURAE

TERESITA

A Scrutatio for the 5th Sunday of the CHRISTIAN SEASON OF THE CHRISTIAN PESACH/PASSOVER

Readings from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Acts 13:44-52 / Psalm 145 / Revelations 19:1 and 4-9 / John 13:31-35

Readings for the Pauline/Vatican II Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Acts 14:21-27 / Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11 and 12-13. / Revelations 21:1-5a / John 13:31-33a and 34-35

Readings for the Tridentine Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Introit: Psalm 98:1-2 and 1

Epistle: James 1:17-21

Gradual and Alleluia: Psalm118:16 + Romans 6:9

Gospel

John 16:5-14

Offertory:

Psalm 66:1-2, 16

Communion Antiphon: John 16:8

October 6, 2012...

 

Holy Family Parish Church, Baranggay Parang, Marikina City.

 

It was 4:57 in the morning...

I was already meditating on the SECOND JOYFUL MYSTERY...

While I was reciting the third AVE, I heard that there was an old Lady approaching the place where I sit (I was sitting, or rather, kneeling on the third pew) so I stopped my prayers to greet her a “good Morning" ...

 

She introduced herself: “Good morning... I am Teresita, and I am the mother of the Parish Priest, Father Louie C. Atanacio.”

 

We chatted for a long period of time for the MASS was scheduled at 7:00a.m. and I was supposed to be there to meditate...

 

But speaking with Nanay Teresita was an APOKALIPSIS... A LIFTING OF THE VEIL... A REVELATION...

 

She shared with me that she considers LIFE, WHICH IS A GIFT FROM OUR ALMIGHTY AND ALL LOVING GOD AS A TREMENDOUS MIRACLE...

 

She shared with me that though she was just able to finish her second year in High School, she was able to work in a Flower Shop in Manila, striving to decently provide for herself and her family with the help of the LOVE OF HER LIFE, HER BELOVED HUSBAND WHOM SHE HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL TO FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, a TREMENDOUS MIRACLE.

 

That in being blessed with 5 CHILDREN, though 2 of these were TAKEN BY OUR BLESSED LORD TO BE WITH HIM, is still and should be considered a MIRACLE.

 

Striving to be a GOOD MOTHER through giving her children a GODLY UPBRINGING is a MIRACLE.

 

Being blessed with a son WHO HAS HEARKENED TO OUR BLESSED LORD’S CALLING TO BE HIS PRIEST is a MIRACLE.

 

And even now that she’s already 80+ years old, having to bear with all the “aches and pains” of old age... STILL SHE CONSIDERS LIFE AS GOD’S MOST AWESOME MIRACLE.

 

May we be challenged during this CHRISTIAN SEASON OF PESACH to always uphold LIFE AS GOD’S MOST PRECIOUS MIRACLE, that we should STAND UP WITH HOLY MOTHER CHURCH, like Nanay Teresita, IN PROCLAIMING THAT FROM ITS CONCEPTION TO ITS END, LIFE COMES FROM HIM WHO IS THE SOLE LORD AND GIVER OF LIFE, HE WHO HAS GIVEN US THIS AWESOME MIRACLE OF HIS THAT MOST OF THE TIME WE HAVE TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

 

MAY WE BE CHALLENGED TO ALWAYS LIVE-OUT THIS MOST SACRED TRUTH: LIFE IS A PRECIOUS GIFT, LIFE IS A WONDERFUL MIRACLE, LIFE IS AN AWESOME TREASURE... FOR IT COMES FROM GOD AND GOD ALONE!

PSALM 118