Many of us ask, when will the light appear at the end of the tunnel with this so called, “Coronavirus” with all the implications. We are in a new era of the history and many of us try to write a page in this history, not only trying to be protected by the virus, but also trying to make our experience and service meaningful for the common good. This is also the effort that the Silsilah Dialogue Movement is doing in many ways. One of it, is the Online Formation Program on Living Faith, presenting in twenty weeks episode to deepen the faith of the Muslims and Christians. Those who like to see the episodes that are in progress can watch it at the Facebook page of Silsilah https://www.facebook.com/silsilahdialogue and the Facebook page of the CBCP-ECID https://www.facebook.com/cbcp.ecid2019 .
At the same time, Silsilah is collecting “Stories of Change” of people who can be presented as a good model in their own journey of transformation. This and many other efforts of Silsilah encourage us to share some of these stories of change in our Oasis News. In this Oasis News, we focus on one good story of a light in the darkness of Coronavirus. This is a story of Violeta Magaso, She wrote:
“Everyone has a story to tell” some may be written in the books, and some confined to hearts. Though it may sound cliché, we are all writers of our own story. And it is by this hope that I would like to share mine with you.
Growing up in the time of martial law was challenging, may even terrifying, more so for a child. I grew up in a simple rural town in Zamboanga del Norte, Western Mindanao. In 1972, the government stationed in our barrio one battalion of army troops to fight Muslim rebels led by the renegade Arthur Lailing. I could still recall horrendous moments like waking up to the sounds of gunfire in the early morning. And if that wasn’t frightening enough, trying to get an education was even worse. Several times, we had to run and crawl from school just to reach home for fear of getting hit by stray bullets. At some point, my mother would have to hide us in a foxhole as exchanges of gunfire ensued. More often, I recall having to endure the sight of a long -haired head cut from the body displayed in front of the municipal hall as if it were a trophy. Finally, as the conflict grew more intense, we even had to evacuate on board a pump boat because the fighting had spewed to the point where staying home was no longer an option.
In enduring this horrible situation which dragged on for years, I was made to believe that the root cause of all our sufferings stemmed from our Muslim brethren. Their radical acts of violence and rebellion towards the government created a deep emotional pain that planted the seeds of prejudice towards them. In the end, I was drawn to the generalization that ALL Muslims are the same; a feeling I’ve found myself struggling to overcome for many years .
It was not long when this bias took a back seat into my subconscious. I studied in a catholic institution where hardly any Muslim was a classmate. Life was very good to me since, and continued on for some time. That is, until I graduated.
Having finished a college education landed me a good – paying job in the multi-cultural city of Zamboanga where I decided to settle. I started a family and pursuing my duties as wife and mother, it’s as if all my past hardships from that childhood were now behind me. Until, sometime in 1994, as I was employed at the Department of Health, I received an Order to attend a Special Course on Muslim – Christian Dialogue to be conducted by the Silsilah Dialogue Movement (Silsilah). At first, I was excited and immediately sent my confirmation. However, upon receiving the course syllabus, I found out that I had to study the Islamic religion and would have to be immersed in a Muslim family. All that hatred and resentment buried deep down came pouring out like a kettle and led me to decline the course without a second thought.
Fast forward to more recent years, I began to ponder. Perhaps, life has a way of redeeming itself. In 2007, my husband Lyndon and I joined a group called the Emmaus Dialogue Movement, the Catholic Christian movement inside Silsilah. Slowly, thru regular formation and sincere encounters with people of other living faiths, my eyes slowly began to open. One keystone marker I can say was the spiritual guidance of Fr. Vincent Leleivre, a French catholic missionary who also became my first spiritual guide. He molded us to “HOPE”, not just the feeling of trust, but an acronym which stands for Hospitality, Openness, Prayer and Experience. Through regular meditation, sharing, and monthly formation days, I slowly realized my arrogance in believing that only Christians are loved by God.
Silsilah and Emmaus, have been very instrumental in my personal transformation especially in accepting the reality that all people are created by the same God who loves us unconditionally.
The Angel of the Lord told Hagar pertaining to Ismael (a descendant to the prophet Mohammad) “I will increase your descendants so much that they too be numerous to count” (Genesis 16:9).
I made a personal commitment in the altar of God, to immerse my life to the Mission of Silsilah and Emmaus. We promote the culture of interreligious dialogue as a Path to Peace and Harmony thru formation programs to deepen understanding and better relations between Muslims, Christians and people of other living faiths. Daily, I pray the Harmony prayer putting to heart this supplication:
“Give me Oh Lord, the courage to live in Dialogue in the midst of Divisions and conflicts and to build peace with all people of sincere hearts who believe in your love and compassion, Amen.
As member of Emmaus, I am challenged to become a missionary disciple of Jesus and to live each day as a spiritual journey following the Beatitudes as a rule of Life. In Matthew 5:3-10, the Beatitudes of Jesus provide a way of life that promises peace and reward amidst trials and tribulation.
You are my witnesses, declares the Lord and my servant whom I have chosen. (Isaiah 43:10)
I embrace a strong conviction that my job as a Hospital Administrator is a vocation because in here I encounter the people that are close to the heart of God as mentioned in the Beatitude; the poor, the sick, the hungry and those who mourn . I try to be sensitive to the culture of muslims, Christians and indigenous people.
“Jesus has taught us that happiness comes to those who do not seek it, to those who do not seek themselves but to seek God and who know how to find Him in the persons of their human brethren and in creation.” (S. D’Ambra, PIME, Interreligious Dialogue, p. 66)
What I realized is that my words and actions have a ripple effect on the lives that I touched. As I try my best to listen , maintain a loving disposition and provide solutions within my capacity. For every person that I have helped, the feeling of fortitude is enormous. I noticed instant reward of joy and inner peace.
Of course, the path that I tread is never without any persecution as Jesus rightly placed it as number eight in the beatitude. There were naysayers who doubted my intentions, but God always and without fail send persons to accompany and provide guidance. Thanks to God for the abiding presence of Fr. Seb, Mam Minda, Lyndon and my 3 children .
I may never know how far the ripples of my actions go, but through faith I gain confidence that the good I do for others especially to the poor and needy will reach up to heaven in eternity .
The encounter that I relate below is a testimony.
Fr Sebastiano coaxed me to take the initiative to visit patients in their hospital bed. It was Christmas time, I accompanied a 10- year old boy admitted at the Surgery Department for brain tumor. Secretly, I approached the neurosurgeon if he can wave his professional fee and I will take care of the hospital bill. One day, the father told me that a specialist approached them that morning and said “Tay, operahan natin ang anak mo para mabuhay siya” (Tay, I will operate on your boy for him to live) He replied that he cannot afford the doctor’s fee coz he is only a fisherman. The doctor replied, “ Libre lang, Christmas gift ko sa inyo” ( I will operate for free, my Christmas gift for you). I told him that normally, that Doctor charges Php150,000 as professional fee. Tearfully he replied ”Mabait kayo mga Christian, tumutulong sa amin mga mahihirap na muslim.” (You Christians are kindhearted and help even poor muslims.)
In humility I said, It is God, the merciful, the compassionate that answers our prayers. We are only instruments in the hands of God, the Almighty.
“It is only through compassion, empathy and one- on- one relationships that the artificial fences that we create to exclude anyone not like us will dissolve”
-Rabbi, Tree of Life Synagogue-
It is always touching to know that some people around us are moving with goodness overcoming barriers of cultural differences like our friend, Violeta Magaso. To her and all the others who are living their faith in a concrete way. We say thanks with the hope that many can emulate them in their own vocation in life.