A Holy and Dangerous Day

Everyone is different. For some, Sunday is a day to relax, to unwind, to steam off, to belch out the heavy burdens of the mind and the heart -  breathing space in between weeks and weeks of hard work. That is why people fill up the streets, crowd the parks, and the beaches on Sundays. The disco and the pub houses, the eateries and -mostly- the shopping malls make good money on this day. It's a day of Gold. The loss of some is the gain of others.

Though most enjoyable, Sunday at the same time is a dangerous day. Since it is here where people come together, and it comes only once in seven days, a certain spirit of freedom and merriment pervades during that day. That is why in our 'celebration', we can't avoid jostling one another, rubbing our shoulders against other's shoulders and in the process, friction is produced that can destroy the gaiety of this most blessed day. Sayang kaayo!

Taking advantage of this short day of 'freedom', we sometimes lose control of ourselves, our senses especially out tongue, the most dangerous part of our body. I wrote already about it in previous columns at this corner. Yes, the tongue can incite, divide and hurt. The tongue is oftentimes the author of distrust, and suspicion leading to isolation and non-communication. Now is the end of friendship. While the tongue can praise, worship and give honor, it is amazing how much harm it does in just one day. Sunday - the day of the jackal?

Sunday is a day first for others; secondly, only for 'me'! Yes, there are zealous people out there, who want to put their free day into good use with a noble purpose. It is a day to visit and cheer up the patients in the hospitals; the prisoners in jail; a day to learn more - another language, bible, piano-playing, cooking lessons. And at the end of the Sunday, these lowly lives sigh, "Day-off nga, lalo namang pagod". Yes, some don't feel well, but the desire being on service is enough reservoir of strength. Others almost find no time taking some food but the satisfaction and the fulfillment is beyond measure. I learned this many times especially from my nurse-students: Learning the German language while still being on duty in several hospitals in Mindanao.

Sunday is actually the Lord's day - but only "if and when I have some time left over". There are many who do not go to church because they say, "Lalo lang akong magkasala." They claim seeing in the church the 'chismosas', the "pintaseras', the 'mayabang', the 'supladas' and the 'mapagkunwari'. But they should not fail to see the good people in the church - and there are still a lot of them in there. And besides, why go and look for the bad instead of seeking the good?

But granting that you and I are the cause of scandal, we ought to reflect very, very seriously and be ready to accept reality even if it is hurting our pride and self esteem. No one can search and arrive at the truth of our hearts but us. No one can change us without our humble consent and total submission.

Everyday is the Lord's day in the hearts of the lowly, the simple and the humble.