Ophelia
Happy Mother's Day! This week has possibly been one of the best weeks of the year so far and I give all credit to the wonderful women in my life who've inspired me and been with me through it all.
Mary was thirteen years old when the angel Gabriel came to her in a vision and told her that she would in time, bring into Earth the saviour of the world. Now, when I was thirteen years old, I didn't even consider washing the dishes or taking out the garbage until I knew I would get something in return. Not knowing what she would endure and experience, Mary said yes wholeheartedly and gave her will to God proclaiming, "Fiat voluntas tua."
Thy will be done.
Even if His will included losing her Son in the temple, watching Him take the world by storm with love and witnessing His brutal and redemptive death. From the manger in Nazareth to the summit of Golgotha, Mother Mary stayed faithful to God's calling for her. Not once did she lose faith or doubt, fully embracing the sword that would pierce her heart at the moment of Jesus' death. She becomes a model of purity and chastity all held together by her conviction in God's plan for her.
My mother is one of the greatest people I know. Like my dad, she was born in the Philippines, went to school there and became a nurse. All throughout her life, nothing was ever really given to her, everything she has now is a product of her hardworking and dedicated nature. Although she may have struggled with all the different environments she was placed in, from the heat of the Dubai sun to the frigid weather of Surrey, BC she has stayed as the same, wonderful woman all throughout. She taught me my first prayer, which funny enough, was a Tagalog one. I can say with confidence that I would not be the Catholic I am today if it weren't for my mom, who since I can remember has been waking me up on Sunday mornings for mass and has pushed me to be active around the Church. Her compassion and genuine love for her children reflects the love that Mary had for Jesus.
A love that like Mary, is self-giving and completely invested in the ones whom she loves.
A love that stays up until 3 a.m in the morning just to make sure that her son has made it home after a late night with his friends.
A love that places a blanket on her son when she notices him passed out on the couch amidst a flurry of throw pillows.
A love that holds his sick son's hand during a Good Friday service when she knows he's not feeling well.
A love that encourages her son to pursue his dreams, even if they bring him to the edge of Vancouver and away from his family.
A love that doesn't expect anything in return.
This love is my mom.
Although I am flawed and constantly deal with my own failures and disappointments, I know that I am not alone. You see my mom has a certain superpower; when I find myself in her arms or in her presence, everything is at a standstill. All the bad days or the enormous stress I feel from facing personal battles dissolves until all I feel is her warm embrace. Now, most of the time she doesn't recognize this but she has this superpower and I think that makes her the greatest superhero in the world. Sure Spider Man has his webs, Captain America has his shield and Thor has his hammer, but my mom has her empathy. She has the ability to bring out the best in me no matter what state I am in or what wars I may be fighting.
So on this beautiful, vitamin d-rich Mother's day afternoon, let's all hear the voice of Jesus on the cross saying to us, "Behold your mother."
Here and now my mother's love lives within me,
it moves me to taste the sweetness of life
and face its sourness with a resolute prayer
A prayer taught to a small, 7 year old Filipino boy in Dubai
O Diyos na malaking awa,
(O God of great mercy),
Gawin nyo po akong mabuting bata,
(Make me a good child),
Ilayo nyo po ako sa sakit at masama,
(Keep me away from hurt and trouble),
Tulungan nyo po si Daddy, si Mommy, mga kapatid ko, lolo at lola, tito at tita, mga pinsan ko at kasama,
(Help my dad, my mom, my siblings, my grandparents, my cousins and all those around me),
Sa ngalan mg Ama, Anak, at Espiritu Santo,
(In the of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit),
Amen.
Ave Maria
Mary was thirteen years old when the angel Gabriel came to her in a vision and told her that she would in time, bring into Earth the saviour of the world. Now, when I was thirteen years old, I didn't even consider washing the dishes or taking out the garbage until I knew I would get something in return. Not knowing what she would endure and experience, Mary said yes wholeheartedly and gave her will to God proclaiming, "Fiat voluntas tua."
Thy will be done.
Even if His will included losing her Son in the temple, watching Him take the world by storm with love and witnessing His brutal and redemptive death. From the manger in Nazareth to the summit of Golgotha, Mother Mary stayed faithful to God's calling for her. Not once did she lose faith or doubt, fully embracing the sword that would pierce her heart at the moment of Jesus' death. She becomes a model of purity and chastity all held together by her conviction in God's plan for her. 
My mother is one of the greatest people I know. Like my dad, she was born in the Philippines, went to school there and became a nurse. All throughout her life, nothing was ever really given to her, everything she has now is a product of her hardworking and dedicated nature. Although she may have struggled with all the different environments she was placed in, from the heat of the Dubai sun to the frigid weather of Surrey, BC she has stayed as the same, wonderful woman all throughout. She taught me my first prayer, which funny enough, was a Tagalog one. I can say with confidence that I would not be the Catholic I am today if it weren't for my mom, who since I can remember has been waking me up on Sunday mornings for mass and has pushed me to be active around the Church. Her compassion and genuine love for her children reflects the love that Mary had for Jesus. A love that like Mary, is self-giving and completely invested in the ones whom she loves.
A love that stays up until 3 a.m in the morning just to make sure that her son has made it home after a late night with his friends.
A love that places a blanket on her son when she notices him passed out on the couch amidst a flurry of throw pillows.
A love that holds his sick son's hand during a Good Friday service when she knows he's not feeling well.
A love that encourages her son to pursue his dreams, even if they bring him to the edge of Vancouver and away from his family.
A love that doesn't expect anything in return.
This love is my mom.
Although I am flawed and constantly deal with my own failures and disappointments, I know that I am not alone. You see my mom has a certain superpower; when I find myself in her arms or in her presence, everything is at a standstill. All the bad days or the enormous stress I feel from facing personal battles dissolves until all I feel is her warm embrace. Now, most of the time she doesn't recognize this but she has this superpower and I think that makes her the greatest superhero in the world. Sure Spider Man has his webs, Captain America has his shield and Thor has his hammer, but my mom has her empathy. She has the ability to bring out the best in me no matter what state I am in or what wars I may be fighting.So on this beautiful, vitamin d-rich Mother's day afternoon, let's all hear the voice of Jesus on the cross saying to us, "Behold your mother."
Here and now my mother's love lives within me,
it moves me to taste the sweetness of life
and face its sourness with a resolute prayer
A prayer taught to a small, 7 year old Filipino boy in Dubai
O Diyos na malaking awa,
(O God of great mercy),
Gawin nyo po akong mabuting bata,
(Make me a good child),
Ilayo nyo po ako sa sakit at masama,
(Keep me away from hurt and trouble),
Tulungan nyo po si Daddy, si Mommy, mga kapatid ko, lolo at lola, tito at tita, mga pinsan ko at kasama,
(Help my dad, my mom, my siblings, my grandparents, my cousins and all those around me),
Sa ngalan mg Ama, Anak, at Espiritu Santo,
(In the of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit),
Amen.
Ave Maria
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