Altiora Quero

I learned something new today.

I went to UP Diliman to meet a kind Tito who was going to teach me something. But I ended up going to a wedding instead. What an unusual wedding that was. Not to mention that I was a gatecrasher, and the first time I attended one wearing blue jeans and a slippers (the slippers used at home). Because the earlier planned learning session was meant to be casual and never did I think I would be going to a wedding when I left home. My teaching Tito had to attend the wedding because he was a godfather and since it was already late for our session, he asked to me tag along, since I also waited in the chapel. I cherished the time I waited for him while in the chapel since there were so many thoughts that were bothering me. The spacious greens and the quietness of the church, helped me to be still. It was also nice to hear the choir practicing the songs to be played.

Wasn't it just yesterday when I asked God for a hug when I was feeling rather low. It was with a bothered mind that I set out for the appointment, which I just needed to keep after already postponing the day before. Well, it happened again that a seemingly ordinary day becomes extraordinary and unexpected. I attended the wedding he had to attend in the same church.

The couple were a special pair, the bride was a documentary film maker, an advocate of social issues while the groom was a human rights lawyer. Both wanted their wedding to be simple, and had specially asked their guests to forego the barong and the outer and sometimes superficial trappings one wears to such occasions. They wanted their guests to come truly as they are, magpakatao, as totoong tao, even requesting their sponsors not to take a bath nor brush their teeth, and wear sandals... My Tito was faithful to the request, and went as bare as he could. It was amazing how I fitted into the event without even trying. Their couple's giveaway button encompassed their values in life with their own saying: Keep Life simple and Love true.

Inevitably, I joined the reception, which was also very simple and down to earth. There were many GK people there and I didn't feel as shy as I could have been, knowing I gatecrashed! as in I did not know the couple personally and I was wearing jeans while many still wore semi-formal clothes. I sat with a Jesuit priest, a funny and interesting one, who could say things one would probably never think a priest can say. But he was as refreshing as the orange juice served there. He gave me a gift, his very own book, published this year titled Yayee 4: Embraced by God. (Didn't I just ask God for a hug! How truly loving of Him). In the book were short stories about people the priest encountered and they spoke about their healing journeys and how he encountered God through them, having to go through a healing journey himself.

I am amazed at another one of God's appointments. How could I ever think of such meetings happening in a wedding I never meant to attend! It felt as if what bothered me the past days slowly melting away amidst the gaiety and people speaking in Visayan which I could understand. It felt being transported to another place, another time. It was all very surreal to me. But it was also real.

I remember during the wedding, the priest's homily talked about how the ideal was different from the real. How the outside may not be what's in the inside. What you say, may not be what you mean. Perhaps, the gap between the ideal and what's real constitutes a journey...where we all must persevere towards our ideals, stretch and grow. Perhaps, we may never reach the ideal, but at least we can be better than we were before.

I did not have a gift to give today but I was given so many graces I am truly grateful for. Unknowingly, the couple I witnessed gave me life lessons just by being there. How kind of them to allow an unsuspecting stranger, some kind of hope for a better future, not as scary as I think it would be. How I need so much to learn to trust, knowing there is indeed a loving Father who knows my fears. I had wondered why would a great God bother about me, just a speck in the vast universe. Yet the immensity of his love covers even the little details of my life, given that He has more serious world issues to attend to, I am truly touched. And that's not only for me, He is just as concerned for each and every soul. God is indeed great. His love is the greatest.

I ran also into an older sister during the reception I have not seen a long time. I know her story and meeting her again made me realize how we are all in need of healing. And that is possible to be healed of brokenness, so that having healed of our wounds, God can use us to better heal others.

Finally, had a talk with the Tito, I had the original appointment with. He has been an angel to me today. I thank God for him. I learned from him how we must strive for higher things...that there are more important things needing our focus and love. Things we need to attend to, fulfilling our mission to the best of our abilities. Suddenly, my little fears seemed to melt away in the midst of the more important things. And the thing that bothered me so much seemed like a speck of dust in the grand universe. And yet I know God is also concerned about that, I leave that now in His loving hands.

Altiora Quero, striving now for greater things, things that last forever.