Faith amidst Devastation

“My faith is stronger than Yolanda. I didn’t fear Yolanda. She should fear my God. Even the rains cannot stop me from thanking the Lord for saving me and my family. He is truly a caring and loving God.” These words came from Anita Carillo of Tacloban who survived super typhoon Yolanda that recently wrought massive devastation in Leyte and Samar.

Anita’s voice is only one among many faithful Filipinos who lived to tell their stories of unwavering faith in God despite the many adversities. Such faith and resilience of the Filipino people have in fact drawn worldwide admiration that was widely reported by the international media.

“We thank God for our Filipino brothers’ and sisters’ inspiring example of hope, faith and love amidst such devastation,” said British Archbishop Vincent Nichols in a homily delivered during a mass for the victims. “Certainly, this admirable hope, faith, and love flourishing in the face of the grievous pain of loss, this cleaving to God despite the horror experienced, encourages us to strive for the same remarkable and unreserved commitment to God’s providence.”

For his part, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said that he is ‘deeply consoled’ when he sees and hears testimonies of faith, especially from the victims who have lost loved ones. “They turn to God, saying in God we have hope,” he added. “We see rubble and ruins everywhere but we see faith, hope and love and it’s making us stronger people.”

These testimonies of faith which sprung not only from among the survivors of the recent typhoon Yolanda but also those from the killer quake in Bohol and Cebu last month are very timely. These came just as the Year of Faith is drawing to a close.

The Year of Faith is a special year for Catholics throughout the world which was decreed by Pope Benedict XVI to be observed from 11 October 2012 to 24 November 2013. The purpose is “to rediscover, and share with others, the precious gift of Faith entrusted to the Church and the personal gift of faith that we have each received from God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.”

Indeed, faith is a gift which God seems to lavish on many Filipinos, who despite great adversities, remain steadfast in their faith to a God who will never abandon them. As one survivor succinctly said: “The Lord has strengthened our faith and made us stronger in order for us to survive and start off all over again.”