Reply from one of the chosen

Dear Tita Chits,

Peace of Christ! Thanks for answering my first letter in your column in the Philippine STAR. Right now, I am visiting the Servants of Charity in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. It is a religious missionary community of priests and brothers in the service of people with disabilities. I am not sure, however, if Fr. Luigi Giambattista would accept me even as a religious brother. He keeps telling me that it is really up to me to decide what I want in life.

Oh, yes, may nakasabay akong nag search-in who said that he was already a novice in another congregation. I was quite disturbed when he said that "Protestants are not Christians, they are heretics" because I firmly believe in ecumenism. I guess because I have personally experienced discrimination, I cannot tolerate it elsewhere. I have been shamed not only by other people but by my own relatives, simply because I am a nobody and I am poor. I believe in the value and dignity of every human person.

My uncles and aunts keep comparing me to my cousin who is a UP law graduate and a fourth placer in the bar exams. Until now, I’m still angry at the people I was with in NVRC. However, I am asking God to give me a forgiving heart.

Yes, of course, I still want to make something of my life. - Yours in Christ through Mary, Dave Tabaniag

Dear Dave,

I enjoyed receiving your reply and am so glad you are now working. I agree with you in your dislike of religious hypocrites – but we must accept them with all their faults because we are all only human.

I noticed that you have not yet emptied yourself of the hurt from certain people in the past. I will share with you a small hint on how to overcome your resentments. Every time you say the "Our Father," simply think about the lines that go "forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us." The latter part is a plea for forgiveness for others who have shown you unkindness in the past. Say the Lord’s Prayer with a complete genuine feeling every time, and you will feel your resentment disappear because even your heart will feel your forgiveness. Keep on doing it when you feel hurt with the thoughtlessness of friends. As I said in my first letter to you, you should never allow your resentments to become a heavy burden on you for the rest of your life. When all your resentments have disappeared, you’ll feel lighter in spirit because you are closer to God.

I’ve been doing this for many years now and feel closer to God. I don’t complain about people’s thoughtless acts or words. Forgive them in the same way that God does.

Try this, Dave, and you’ll be feeling the light of God in your life. - Tita Chits