MOST BLESSED AMONG WOMEN
One
thing I remember as a child was the regular visit of our parish priest
to our family. My father then was president of the parish council.
Although I don’t remember much, the fact that the pastor always brought a
can of sweet caramelized popcorn probably sealed the memory in my
heart.
To this day, I keep very fond memories of Fr. Francisco Santiago. He
was one of the three adult men whose memories I cherish from my early
years. Earlier on, I already wrote about the second, Kakang Gorio, who
came one fine day from seemingly nowhere, asking to be given a welcome
space in our modest home. The third, of course, was my own father, about
whom I have
already written at least two reflections before.
Fr. Santiago’s regular quick drop-ins, along with the sudden
comeuppance of Kakang Gorio in my early years, were veritable
visitations that merit more than a whimsical thought. At least to me,
they were not mere accidental events to remember, but meaningful
experiences to hold and cherish for as long as I live.
The biblical event of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her
cousin Elizabeth was a visit born of a revelation, as much of a great
and noble mission as a grave reason to be afraid. Mary was visited by an
angel, and that visit jolted her as much to obedience to the will of
God, as to fear.
Despite the initial misgivings and the fear, Mary stepped up to the
plate and made the great visitation that followed the great revelation.
The one who was visited by the Lord in the coming of the Archangel
Gabriel reciprocated in the same manner.
The woman blessed by no less than the one from on high, shared the
blessing and got even more: “Most blessed are you among women!” Fr. ChitoDimaranan, SDB
----------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------
Who can you bless today by your visit?
Rather than keep to myself, help me to be like Mary, Lord. Help me to go out and be a blessing to someone else. Amen.
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