Reflections on Faith and Sacrifice (Part 2 of 2)

(This speech was delivered by retired Judge Jesus Quitain during the recent 7 Last Words at San Pedro Cathedral Parish on Good Friday 2024.) [Read Part 1]

The second perspective is that of Santa Maria. Mama is the first to know when we are sick, hungry, or tired. She makes soup so we can get well. “Bug-at ang ubo, kalintura,” si Mama sleeps beside us. She is happy during our baptism, confirmation, and first communion. Mama’s worries do not end when all her children are married; now she has to worry about her son-in-law, daughter-in-law, children, and especially her grandchildren.

Sta. Maria almost lost her mind worrying when Jesus was arrested. She stayed near the jail where Jesus was; she saw Jesus bleeding while being crowned with thorns and whipped. She followed Jesus step by step as He walked barefooted carrying a big, heavy cross uphill to Golgotha. She saw people hitting, insulting, and spitting on her son. She saw Jesus groaning, crying in pain on the cross, sweating, and gasping for air in the very hot Friday sun. “Kung kita, matumba, masamdam, mohilak, mosinggit, modagan, mogakos nato si mama.”

We can never fully feel the pains and worries of our mothers. This is a story that was once narrated by Fr. Nestor. The work of a priest includes visiting hospitals to comfort the sick, hearing confessions, giving communion, and celebrating mass. The loneliest section of a hospital is the tuberculosis ward. Nobody goes there; they are afraid of getting TB. In the TB ward, he befriended a grandmother with white hair, thin, frail, named Clotilde, also known as Nanay Tilde. On December, Nanay Tilde said, “Dre, sa December 25, moanhi ang akong mga anak, daghang pagkaon, anhi dire mag-share kita sa ubang masakiton sa mga gasa.” On December 25th, when Padre entered, Nanay Tilde said, “Sorry, Dre, wala ang akong mga anak. Tingali dako ang party sa ila, daghang bisita, di gayud sila maka anhi, “Bye dre balik sa New Year’s.” On January 1st, when Padre Nestor returned, Nanay Tilde cried, “Maulaw na man ko dre, New Year gabii, gikapoy tingali sila sa party party.” But Padre noticed Nanay Tilde crying, “Dre, balik sa Enero 6, 3 Kings, nia sila, dayon ang atong party.” Padre couldn’t return on January 6th because there were many baptisms, blessings, and masses.

On January 9th, Padre returned to the hospital. But Nanay Tilde was not there. Where is she? Nanay Tilde had passed away and was at the funeral home. Kumpyansa si Padre nga dunay nag-atiman sa haya, hinay-hinay nga miatiman sa ubang masakiton hangtud alas 5 sa hapon. Hinay-hinay siya nga miadto sa punerarya. Pag-abot, nangutana, asa ang haya ni Nanay Tilde. Tungod sa iyang ka-kabus, pagka-pobre, ug walay nakaila, nagkabuang si Padre nga nagtuyok-tuyok sa punerarya. Unya may embalmer, miingon, “Kinsa diri imong gipangita? Kadtong babaye nga tigulang, puti og buhok?” Naa, gitudlo. Tungod sa iyang ka-kabus, giputos lang og banig ug gibutang lang sa ngitngit nga salug. Nangayo si Padre og suga, pagsindi, tua ang banig. Nakita niya ang linya sa alamigas didto sa banig. Sa tulo ka gabi-i, nakapangayo siya sa Arsobispo og lote sa Catholic cemetery. Kulang ang iyang kwarta. Nangutang og nipis nga plywood, gihimong lungon. Nahadlok si Padre nga kung alsahon mabuslot ang lungon pagkagabii, gibalik si Nanay Tilde didto sa daplin. Si Padre lang ang nabilin. Nahinumdum si Padre sa ilang huling pagkita. Miingon si Nanay Tilde, “Dre, gikapoy na ko pag-ayo. Sultiha ang akong mga anak, pinangga ko sila, ug dili ko sila pasagdan kung maglisud sila. Sultia sila dre nga ipadayon ko ang pag-ampo para kanila bisan patay na ako.” Kadlawon gilubong si Nanay Tilde, gawas kay Padre Nestor, walay ni-lingi. Kini ang gugma sa inahan, kini ang gugma ni Sta. Maria kanato.