The miracle of Corpus Christi

To believe is to see. One young diocesan priest whose way of saying the Masses is one that shows his deep faith in the Holy Eucharist, received a miracle in which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself allowed him to "feel" the reality of His Eucharistic Presence. It happened during the Elevation of the Cup of Wine at the Mass he officiated on the Feast of the Corpus Christi in 2009. During the Consecration, the priest raised the Cup with both hands. When it was time to lower the Cup, his left hand let go of the Cup first so that his right hand was to bring It down on the table; but the right hand was still "holding up" the Cup -- for a second or two or more! -- that should the right hand let go of the Cup, the Cup of Wine would have been seen by all present as floating by Itself in mid-air! I had the habit of raising my head to see the chalice being elevated and bring my head down to close my eyes when the chalice is being lowered down on the table; but that instant was different, I could not lower my head as usual. At the time of genuflection, the priest never genuflected as is usually done by priests -- instead, he knelt down on both knees and bowed low to the floor before the table of the Consecrated Bread and Wine. The two of us were the only witness to this particular Eucharistic miracle. My diary entry of December 9, 2008, Tuesday, 3:59 AM, is predictive to this phenomenon, it says, and I quote: "Just this dawn, I dreamed of [a young priest] at the altar table celebrating the mass while I was attending with the people. The chalice containing a single consecrated Host suddenly lifted up in the air by itself before him to his amazement, flew towards me, and poured out the Host into my mouth on its own. I got hold of the chalice, gathered the crumbs inside it, and poured them out into my mouth. While consuming, a young woman approached me and talked to me as if nothing happened. Lord Jesus, I trust in Your Mercy for the meaning of this dream."

[The blogger's note: The said Mass was celebrated on June 14, 2009, Sunday, at 5:00 AM, the first Mass on schedule; and preceded by a whole night Eucharistic vigil at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City, Philippines.]

Snake: Fear factor

Snake gourd

My first experience to touch a live python was two years ago.

It was a four-month-old pet python, the size of a diameter of a finger, owned by a neighbor of a close relative.

I ran the tip of my fingers through the back and belly of the snake. It was unbelievably soft and smooth!

I was snake-phobic before (I still am!) as almost everybody else is; but it was a long-time personal challenge to be able to touch it.

Many opportunities passed and two years ago was another chance.

"Now or never," I told myself.

Finally, I did it!

Speaking of snake, I have a story to tell.

One school day in my senior high, I and my classmate were stationed to guard the back of City High from intruders. It was part of our civilian army training course.

We were guarding the wire fence whole day when we spotted a big-headed, slender-bodied, green baby snake crawling in front of us!

I can't remember if I participated in but the snake was stoned to death!

Fear crawled through our spines when we came to a realization: if there's a baby snake in this place, a mother snake is just around the corner!

It was creepy and more when we thought of eyes of a huge snake looking at us stealthily somewhere on that grassy field beyond the fence!

We were not guarding the fence from illegal entrants anymore -- but from a dark-green anaconda to suddenly appear.

We knew already what to do -- RUNNN!!!

Fear only stopped when school that day was over.

A dream, a diary and a cook

I had a dream a month before year 2009 began. I never realized but the dream started to happen right after.

This was my dream.

I saw a hill and I was standing on the foot of the hill. On top of the hill was a big tourist platform. The structure looked like eyes and face of a man drooping its head to look down on me and those below. I felt it was unsafe for any tourist to go there and take a look. It was architecturally incorrect to build a structure like it, and I sensed it was going to collapse any minute. And sure, it did -- bit by bit. As it started to fall, I vacated the place immediately -- but I realized I had a companion, an old woman, my grandma! I returned. I was trying to rescue her in such a way that my body was first out of the danger area. But I was wondering, "Why am I trying to rescue grandma when she's dead long ago?"

I remember my diary entry of January 17, 2009, it reads and I quote:

"There is someone in the market who is getting on my nerves. He is a cook at an eatery next to where I buy snack food on credit. When he looks at me taking food there, his eyes are insulting, looking down on me. One time, he even banged the door in my presence! They know I have my food for credit. I thought, he owns the eatery because of his arrogance. He is not! He works as a cook. He has a companion who treats me the same way. When I was able to pay recently, they were like kittens, looking at me so meekly. But they know I am on credit again. They are back to 'normal.' Last night, I was tempted to display some arrogance. I tried to show off in a subtle way the envelope I had that reads CHECK ENCLOSED. The envelope was from prophet Don; and it was a "faith check" for Php100,000. I prayed and included him and the woman companion in the Mass I attended this morning. When I saw him, however, in the market, I was enraged again and intended to side-sweep him. I touched him lightly in so doing though. I must shoot him with many prayers and masses. Jesus, forgive and help me. I must stop going there to prevent myself from sinning."

I admit, however, I did go back there after some time -- exclusively, to get food on credit. The cook was there. He was on my path. He never gave way. I side-pushed him and I did it intentionally. There was also a force coming from him. It was like a head-on collision. I know both of us were hurt in the process. But none complained. He went his way. I went my way. I decided never to go there again. I confessed the sin a month ago to a priest.

Last night, I had a monthly confession during a Holy Mass. I feel so heavenly after each confession. I went back to my seat so recollected and silently happy. During peace, I did a reverent peace to a familiar face, to someone standing in front of me left side. The cook!!! Yes, the cook!!! It was unexpected. I never knew he was there. He never knew I was there as well. That sealed it all. We had peace together. My name is J-O-Y! :-)