Power

if we could not respect the 'tiny' little life inside a womb
how could we be if we are 'big' with powers?




Dennis DC. Marquez

Self God

everybody is so busy
so busy to be on the 'top' of the social ladder
everybody says, "life... is all about me... me, me, me"
"i am the master of my self "
"i created my life as i want it to be"

where everything is planned
there is no time for 'others'
no more sacrifices for 'others'
even for a CHILD in a womb
being planned to be UNBORN

for the lures of the world...
we let go of love
to let loose of our selves
we let go of God
to enslave our own selves.



Dennis DC. Marquez

Pag-iwas

ang pinaka-madaling gawin ay ang umiwas
ang pinaka-mahirap gawin ay ang ipaliwanag
kung bakit ka umiiwas




Dennis DC. Marquez

Suspicion

the poorest of all people
are those who think ill of others...
they are so lonely and so desolate
even in their deepest thought...




Dennis DC. Marquez

Pamamaalam ng Naghihingalong Pari

Kapag ako
ay nawala na
ito sana ang tandaan mo
aking anak:

hindi man kita kadugo
nagpapasalamat ako
at itinuring mo pa rin ako
at minahal bilang isang ama

wala akong maipamamana sa iyo
kundi ang mga salita ng buhay
na ibinahagi lamang din sa akin
ng ating Dakilang Lumikha

hindi ako
ang
pinakamahalagang tao
sa mundong ating ginagalawan

dahil bahagi lamang ako
ng isang misyon ng Diyos
kung saan sa pagbibigay ko ng aking sarili
tayo ay parehong nagkatagpo

nakita ko kung paano ka lumaki
at ako naman
ay nasaksihan mo
kung paano tumanda

noong nagkrus
ang ating landas
tinawag ko itong
lubos na biyaya

marami tayong
pinagsamahan sa buhay
nakinig tayo
sa mga kwento ng bawat isa

at ngayon
maaaring ito na aking pinaka-huling sermon
at sa lahat ng aking mga naging misa
maaring ito na rin ang pinakahuli

bilang na aking aking sandali
nararamdaman ko na ang takot
na may pinaghalong kagalakan
at kalungkutan na ikaw ay aking iiwan

ngunit mamamatay akong
lubos na maligaya
sa kabila ng aking pag-iisa
ikaw ang tinawag kong kapamilya

sasabihin ko ng paulit-ulit
ang iyong pangalan habang ako'y naghihingalo
sa aking mga panalangin
ala-ala mo'y aking babaunin

ang mga sakripisyo mo
sa gaya kong may sakit at mahina
ay aking isasaysay
pag dating ko sa D'yos Ama




Dennis DC. Marquez

Rebirth

Walang mangyayaring pagbabago
kung hindi natin
muling ipapanganak
ang ating sarili



Dennis DC. Marquez

Unappreciated

Kahit gaano kahalaga sa atin
ang ibinabahagi natin sa ating kapwa
Maaaring wala itong halaga para sa kanila
dahil iba ang kanilang kinakailangan



Dennis DC. Marquez

Pagsabay

Huwag mo akong pilitin
na makipagsabayan sa iyo
sa pamamaraang nais mo
dahil hindi ako kahit kailan
makakasabay
sa masidhing hinahangad mo

Maaaring bang kumuha ka muna
ng isang wheel chair
Buhatin at iupo mo ako dun
at dahan-dahang itulak mo ako
para ako ay
makasabay sa iyo




Dennis DC. Marquez

Katanungan

Hindi totoo
na may mga bagay
na walang kasagutan
Dahil lahat ng bagay
ay may dahilan
kung bakit sila nalikha

Maaaring ang katotohanan ay
may mga bagay
na sadyang walang katanungan
Dahil ang kailangan lamang nating gawin
ay tanggapin sila
bilang sila
at wala nang iba




Dennis DC. Marquez

Pagmamahal

Dati...

Takot akong magmahal
Dahil baka kapag iniwan ako
ng taong minamahal ko
Mamihasa ako
at hanap-hanapin ko
ang pagmamahal na ito

Hindi ko agad naunawaan
na kaya pala ako minamahal
Iyon ay upang
masanay rin akong magmahal




Dennis DC. Marquez

Pag-ibig

Mas mainam pang mabigo ako
dahil sa ako ay umibig
Kaysa sa hindi ako umibig
dahil sa takot na ako ay mabigo




Dennis DC. Marquez

Pag-ibig sa Sarili

Ang pinakamahirap mahalin
ay ang ating sarili
Dahil wala itong kasiyahan
Lagi itong naghahanap
nang higit na pagmamahal



Dennis DC. Marquez

Trauma

Mahirap makawala sa trauma ng nakaraan
Kung hindi natin muling ipapanganak ang ating sarili




Dennis DC. Marquez

Pagka-matapat

May dalawang bagay akong naiisip
Upang manatili akong nagmamahal sa iyo
Una ay ang pag-ibig
Pangalawa ay ang kalayaang magawa ko ang nais kong gawin

Pag-ibig...

Ang ibigin kita ay isang magandang dahilan
Upang ako ay magtiis ng mga pasakit
Ang ibigin mo ako ay ang mapasaakin
Ang langit na aking pinapangarap at nilulunggati

Kung walang pag-ibig
Walang pagtitiis na mangyayari
Walang pangarap na mabubuo
Walang pangakong tutuparin

Kung hindi ko man magawa ang nais ko
Magiging maligaya ako sa bisig mo
Isuko ko man ang mga pangarap ko
Magiging maligaya pa rin ako sa piling mo

Kalayaan...

Pinapangarap kong mula sa mga kaya kong gawin
Ay matutunan mo rin akong mahalin
Kahit na mangahulugan pa ito
Ng aking buong buhay na pagtitiis

Ang kalayaan para sa akin
Ay yung makakahinga ako
Kung sakaling mapagod ako
Sa pag-unawa sa iyo

Kalayaan para sa akin
Ang magawa ko ang isang bagay
Na pinili ko
Sa oras na ito

Dahil ngayon pa lang
Inaamin ko na sa iyo
Na nabihag mong ganap
Ang puso kong tapat

Dahil sa pag-ibig
Na aking iaalay sa iyo
Nakahanda akong magtiis
Iyon ay kung pahihintulutan mo

Subalit kung igagapos mo lang ako
Sa kabiguan ng kawalang pag-asa
Hayaan mo na lamang akong
Masaktan pansamantala

Dahil hindi rin naman magbubunga
Ang alin mang pag-ibig
Kung hindi ito makalalago
Mula sa ating saradong mga puso

Kung hindi mo ako iibigin
O kung hindi ko magagawa ang nais kong gawin
Pipigilin ko lamang ang oras
At mabubuhay lamang sa panaginip

Mabuti pang ngayon pa lang
Ako ay masaktan mong ganap
Upang maibaling ko na lamang
Ang pag-ibig ko sa kapwa nagmamahal

Ito ang kalayaan kong nais
Ang kalayaan kong piliin
Kung kanino ko maiaalay
Ang aking wagas na pag-ibig

Oo...walang pag-ibig
Kung walang pagtitiis
Subalit wala ring kalayaan
Kung walang pusong pag-aalayan...





Dennis DC. Marquez

Scouter's Light

Scouter's light
Scouter's guide
May this light
Guide my heart

In times of loneliness
Try to remember this:
"Once you became a Scout
You'll remain as is"
And the light
That you bring within your heart
Will guide a you along the way
To a place, our home, called "Scouting"

Time will come
And you will take my place
I'll be gone
But my spirit will remain
With this light
Guide those
Who will come along your way
As you pass on this light to them
Til we meet again...

Dennis DC. Marquez

===
photo credits:
Scouter Raoul Roldan; Scout Ranier Joshua Reserva.

Makabagong Diyos

Naalala ko pa
Ninanis lang natin noon na maging malaya
Kung kaya tinanggal natin ang imahe ng Panginoon
Dahil akala natin
Kalayaan ang pagiging walang Diyos

Sa una...
Masaya
Malaya nating nagagawa ang nais natin
Pakiramdam ko
Pagmamay-ari ko ang aking sarili
Walang bawal-bawal
Lahat ay pwede nating gawin

Ito pala ang pakiramdam
Nang pagkakaroon ng kapangyarihan
Nakakalasing
Kung maaari lang
Ayaw ko nang magising

Matapos nating pagharian ang ating mga sarili
Namilosopiya (philosophized) tayo
Nangarap ng higit pa
Ngayon naman
Ang nais natin
Ay hikayatin ang ating kapwa
Sa kalasingang tinawag nating tagumpay

Sabi mo: Patay na ang Dyos
Kung kaya maaari na nating gawin ang nais natin
Hindi na ito uso
Sapagkat tayo na ngayon ang maghahari
Ito na ang bagong kalayaan
Na ating yayakapin
Na ating tatahakin

Subalit
Paglaon ng mga panahon
Nakulangan ka pa rin
Hinikayat mo kaming sakupin ang buong mundo
Wala tayong patumanggang pumatay
Dahil wala tayong kinakatakutan
Sa ating mga kamay
Inilagay natin ang katarungan
Tayo ang humusga ng buhay at kamatayan
Mga anghel tayo ng kamatayan
Na hindi mapigilan ang kapangyarihan

Hinubad natin sa ating mga sarili
Ang bawat bakas ng pagiging anak ng Dyos
Nagawa nating patayin siya
Sa ating puso at isipan
Nilasog-lasog natin ang ating kaluluwa
Upang ipakita sa kanya
Na nais natin ng kalayaan
Na na nais nating ng walang limitasyong kaligayahan

Subalit sa paglaon ng panahon
Tayo-tayo na ang nagtatagisan
Ang bawat isa sa atin
Ay nagpapatayan para sa kapangyarihan
Marami sa ating nahikayat
Ang nagumon sa tawag ng laman
Dahil sa pagiging malaya
Maraming nasira ang buhay

Pinatay natin ang Diyos
Sa sinapupunan ng ating puso
Upang sa bandang huli
Ating itambad ang ating mga sarili
Bilang mga makabagong diyos
Na malakas at makapangyarihan
Mga diyos-diyosan na sumasamba
At nahuhumaling
Sa kanyang sariling imahe (self-love)

Naging diyos-diyosan natin
Ang ating makitid na pag-iisip
Lumikha tayo ng mga doktrina
Na may pusong mapanggapi ng isang halimaw
Sinamba natin ang ating mga sarili
Sa mga bagay na lilipas nahumaling
At ang yaman at kariktang paimbabaw
Walang kabusugan nating hinangad

Tinatawag nating kapayapaan
Ang tikom na bibig ng mga biktima ng ating kasalanan
Kung saan ang bawat kamatayan
Ay inari nating tagumpay
Tinatawag nating kapayapaan
Ang pagkaalipin natin sa laman
Na ating tinatakasan
Subalit sa huli ay pinatunguhan

Ginawa nating diyos ang ating mga sarili
Na may malagim na nakaraan
Na may pusong makasarili
At may prinsipyong walang awa
Ninakawan natin sila
Nang karapatan upang umasa
Upang mabuhay at mamamatay
Na pawang walang kalaban-laban
Tanging galit at walang pagmamahal
Tayong naibahagi sa ating kapwa
Dahil sa inggit at pagkamakasarili
Na sa bawat puso natin umalipin


===
Epilogo:

Ngayon ay nauuso ang pagpatay sa America
May mga estudyante na pumapasok sa paaralan na may dalang baril
Na walang habas na na namamaril ng kapwa niya mag-aaral (trigger happy)
Ngayon ay tinatanong nila kung nasaan ang konsensya ng lipunan (moral conscience)

Sinira na nila ang pamilya at pinalitan ng makabagong pag-unawa
Tinanggalan nila ang bawat eskwelahan ng Krusipiho (Crucifix)
At ng maglaon tinanggal din ang Diyos sa puso ng bawat kabataan
Hindi itinuwid ang mga kabataan sa halip sinupalpalan ng kalayawan

At ngayon hahanapin ang konsensya na matagal nang tinalikdan?
At ngayon hahanapin ang pagmamahal para sa ating kapwa?
Walang pagmamahal kung wala ang Diyos sa puso ng tao
Dahil ang pagmamahal ay ang mismong pakikipagkapwa tao.





Dennis DC. Marquez

Elegy

The virtue of giving our selves
Starts in our own daily lives
There will always be people
Who would question our good intentions
No matter how pure they were
They would always find fault and blemishes
They would criticize us not only once but always
They would be delighted in seeing us blamed
They would be amused hearing us surrendering
They would feel glorified to see us gone… victor to see us dead
We transcend only
If we still choose to love them
Despite of the endless torments
Of their persecutions in our life
I would rather let my vocation die
Than to let their souls die in sinning of misjudgments
And would fervently pray
That God would change their hearts




Dennis DC. Marquez

Life

life is
a life ...

of calling and responding
of sharing and accepting
of having it and giving it away...




Dennis DC. Marquez

Special Children

ang bawat 'special child'
na may 'special needs'
ay ibinigay ng Dyos
sa bawat 'special mom' and 'special dad'
na may 'extra-special love'
at may 'extra-special care.'




Dennis DC. Marquez

Cup of Life

we are all like a cup of tea

some are big cups,
some are small cups
some may hold much tea in their cup,
but some, may hold too little in their cup

what is more important
of being a cup of tea
is how this cup of life
has shared the tea they have inside

to empty oneself (kenosis)
is like emptying your own cup
and to fill other cups
is the greatest act of sacrifice




Dennis DC. Marquez

Nananaginip ng Gising

Ang isang masaklap na pangyayari sa ating buhay
Ay ang matambad tayo sa katotohanan
Na mabatid nating pinapaniwala lamang pala natin ang ating sarili
Sa isang bagay na hindi pala totoong nangyayari

Nabubuhay tayo sa isang malaking kasinungalingan
Sa isang mundo
Na tayo lamang ang nakatira
Natutulog ng gising
Nakakulong sa pagkakahimbing...




Dennis DC. Marquez

Panalangin para Kasiyahan ng Puso

Panginoon
Huwag mong hayaang
Mabihag ako ng anumang kariktan
O maakit sa mga bagay na kukupas at lilipas

Huwag mong hayaang
Masilaw ako ng aking kakayahan
Dahil ang lahat ng aking lakas
Ay sa iyo lang din nagmula

Huwag mong hayaang
Mahirati ako ng aking kahinaan
At sambahin sa aking kapwa
Ang mga bagay na kahanga-hanga

Pagkat ang lahat ng kagandahang
Iniibig ng aking puso
Ay pawang mga kaloobang
Sa iyo lamang nagmula

Huwag ko nawa itong ipagmagaling
Bagkus maging dahilan ng aking pagkaunawa
Huwag ko nawa itong angkinin
Bagkus ibahagi ko sa aking kapwa

Turuan mo ang aking puso
Maging mapagpasalamat sa Iyo
Kahit sa karukhaan
Mananatili ako

Pagkalooban mo po ako
Ng isang pusong bukas palad
Kung saan ang ibabahagi ko
Ay ang ang Hesu-Kristong iniibig ko...





===
go to a recollection:
http://denmar1978.blogspot.com/2013/04/one-week-on-line-recollection.html

Br. Dennis DC. Marquez, sSSS

The Master's Touch

Since my childhood
I am am forsaken
I am so familiar with loneliness
I call it my home
It is a world
That I can say
That I am all alone

All throughout my life
I thought, I am all alone
In a world that separated me
From being loved and unloved

But, there is something that I am missing
They were the hands that racked my cradle
When my mother and my father were all gone
When they said goodbye and return no more

They were the hands who touched me when I cry
They were the hands which soothed my fears
They were the hands where I cried all my silent pains
They were the hands that changed my life

The memory of these hands keeps on reminding me
That guardian angels are there watching over me
Until the time that my death has come
Only there I knew who were the owners of those loving hands

They were the hands of the Master (God)
Who touches me when I cry
Who cradles me into sleep
Who loves me for who I am

My heart knows that they were really the hands of the Master
Because they have the same warmth when I am cradled by Him
They have the same tender voice calling me by my name
They have the same touch that cradle me all through out my life.




Dennis DC. Marquez

Awit kay Maria

Liwanag sa dilim
Bantay sa paghimbing
Mariang umaawit
Nang himig ng oyaying
Bumubukal sa pag-ibig

Inang sakdal lambing
Inang sakdal bait
Ang puso kong naligalig
Kay Kristo mo nilalapit
Upang ako'y muling hilumin

Ang kanlungan mo ay ang langit ko
Ang bisig mo ay ang duyan kong
dahilan ng aking buhay

Ang pag-ibig mo ay ang yaman kong
nagdurugtong sa puso kong
nananabik... kay Kristong anak mo

Umaasa kami
Sa 'yong bawat dalangin
Mariang masintahin
Kami sa 'yo'y nananalig
sagipin kami... sa bawat saglit






===
go to a recollection:
http://denmar1978.blogspot.com/2013/04/one-week-on-line-recollection.html

Br. Dennis DC. Marquez, sSSS

Marian Devotion

Mary, Mother of Life

PL (Prayer Leader): In the midst of the RH Bill controversy, we pray to God, through the intercession of Virgin Mary, the Mother of God to His son Jesus Christ, that as Filipinos, we will be united in advocating all Human life and protecting the unborn.

In the name of the Father +…

PL: O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine
All: All Praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.
PL: Blessed be the Holy and Immaculate conception
All: Of the Most Virgin Mary Mother of God
PL: Our Father…

===
Prayer for the Respect of All Human Life

Ben: God, our loving Father, Creator and lover of all life,
All: You fashioned in your own image and likeness every human person.
Ben: Hail Mary…

Wel2: We thank you
All: For this gift and the freedom to appreciate it.
Wel2: Hail Mary…

Ian: Grants us intense eagerness to recognize your image in every person
All: So that respect for all human life becomes our way of life.
Ian: Hail Mary…

Shaun: Give us also the strength and courage
All: To defend and protect the right of all to live as you ordained, from conception to natural death.
Shaun: Hail Mary…

Joseph: We pray for your divine healing, comfort and peace
All: For all affected by past abortions.
Joseph: Hail Mary…

Leo: Grant them strength and the consolation of your presence.
All: Help us serve actively in alleviating the sufferings and troubles of all women with pregnancy problems.
Leo: Hail Mary…

Ronald: Let your Spirit enlighten the minds and open the hearts
All: Of those who do not yet fully respect all human life according to your will.
Ronald: Hail Mary…

Phoelix: We pray for all our leaders and legislators who must deliberate assiduously on this critical present issue.
All: May they be guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit to act responsibly for the good and well-being of all.
Phoelix: Hail Mary…

Renoir: May their competence
All: be always steered by humility and fear of the Lord.
Renoir: Hail Mary…

Robert: Mary, our loving Mother, to you we entrust the cause of life.
All: Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of Life with honesty and love to the people of our time.
We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Robert: Hail Mary…

===
Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Life Within

All: O Mary, Mother of the Life Within,
all life we entrust to you;
The life of every expectant mother
and the child within her womb:
The life of every human body,
the life of every human soul;
The life of every newborn child
and the life of all grown old.
You held the Lord to your own heart
and drew Him so close in.
So draw us now in all our needs,
O Mother of the Life Within.
Amen.

===
Mark: Hail Mary in Kapampangan
Alde: Hail Mary in Waray
Bryan: Hail Mary in Ilocano

Gary: Glory be (3x)

===
PL: O Sacred Heart of Jesus
All: Pray for us.
PL: Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
All: Pray for us.
PL: St. Peter Julian Eymard, Apostle of the Eucharist
All: Pray for us.

Reflection

Dennis DC. Marquez, SSS September 20, 2011
Pastoral Psychology Fr. Jason Laguerta/Sis. Angie, Sisters of St Anne
=============================================================================

REFLECTION:
In our Congregation this week, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our Novitiate House in Bulacan. This has been the focus of our community’s creative adoration to the Blessed Sacrament last Friday, September 24, 2011, where all of us, in our respective groups, shared our memorable novitiate experiences. The occasion enabled us to reflect and to see our self on the process of two years of stay in the womb of our congregation. Let me share my experience.

Description of the experience:
At first, I have a hard time with my novitiate formation. There would be no day that would pass in my first one and a half year that I would not request for or complain on so many things. Of course, my formator didn’t grant me any of my clamors, he even got irritated with me most of the time. My dependence towards technological gadgets has made my journey a little bit unsatisfying in my part. With these reasons, I found, novitiate life as dull and unproductive. Two years seems to be eternal. I honestly admit that I even hate it.

My own experience of the experience:
It’s an experience of God’s grace. I always wanted to go out. I always cannot find the meaning of so many menial jobs that we’ve been so busy about. There were so many times that I found myself exhausted not by praying, but by these non-sense cooking, doing the dishes and preparing for the next menu again. Until, for almost a year, I was assigned as a refectorian… gosh! my patience was really tested: I always hated to do the dishes, I always hated to do the cooking, I always hated to do the cleaning. It was my ultimate dying moment. It was hell… terribly hell.

Identifying the patterns:
Actually, they’ve seen me doing great with the refectory. Everything was so organized, but I don’t appreciate my own efforts. Deep inside me, I felt that I always resisted. I don’t see it rewarding. I always pray that I would be relieved from the refectory, but my formator extended me a little bit longer than what I am expecting for. For few months, I realized that I am sickened by the refectory, but I must also find other ways to make myself feel something rewarding, enjoying, and life-giving and sustaining diversions. I realized that instead of being bothered, I can try gardening when I’m not busy with the refectory. That, I can also take care of our community dogs and cats when I got ill-tempered with the refectory. And I did, I literally did. I set-up a garden inside the refectory and our dogs and cats dine with us in the refectory. My formator, in his grace, didn’t matter all these. He even gave me petchay seeds to plant into our in-house garden. Plus, he gave me his own dachshund dog for me to take care, and even allowing me to let that dog to stay inside my room.

Dynamics, level of insight:
I realized that I have a tendency to focus only into one activity. The only thing that let me bonded with that activity was not service, but only a challenge to accomplish something. My formator has seen this. He helped me to really change my pattern by allowing me to indulge to other life giving things aside from our prayers. I appreciate now the farmers living in our novitiate area, for gardening has taught me patience over things… from sowing the little seeds, watering and weeding them constantly, and cooking it as one of our dinner menu for my beloved brothers and formator of our community. And the joy of caring for our community pets has taught me compassion over these helpless animals. I remember, there were Sundays, where our farmer-parishioners visited our in-house garden. They brought me some seeds and taught me practical planting techniques. While the children, they cuddle and play with our community pets, specially, those which I taught with some skills to follow simple commands. All of these were fruitful. My refectory experience has opened door of opportunities for me to further grow as a person. Each endeavor: gardening and caring for pets has become the joy of our community. And everything has changed for me since then on.

Unawaan

Hindi tayo magkaunawaan...

Kung minsan kasi
Kapag tayo ay nagsasalita
We are 'speaking in tongues'
Para tayong nag-uusap sa magkaibang planeta
Kung kaya hindi tayo magkaintindihan

Kasi magkakaiba ang nasasa puso natin
Magkakaiba ang ating intensyon
Magkakaiba ang ating mga pinanggagalingan
Kung kaya iba-iba rin ang pinaghuhugutan ng ating kaluluwa

Hangga't ang totoong pag-ibig ang magbigkis sa atin
Saka pa lamang tayo magkakaunawaan
Kung saan ang sinasabi ng Diyos sa ating mga puso
Ang siyang magiging pamantayan
Nang ating pag-ibig sa ating kapwa tao

Magkakaiba ang nasasa likod
Nang ating makakaibang katwiran
Malimit
Lagi itong may bahid ng pagkamakasarili
Maraming mga tilamsik ng pananalita
Na itinatago sa mabubulaklak na pagbigkas
Subalit ang kahulugan lamang nito
Ay pawang kapahamakan ng ating kapwa

Mahirap magmahal
Kapag ang una nating minamahal
Ay pawang
Ang ating mga sarili lamang

Dahil upang ibigin ang ating kapwa
Kinakailangang lumabas tayo
Mula sa ating hangganan sa buhay (borders; comfort zone)
Na idinidikta ng ating sarili
Na idinidikta ng ating gusto
Na idinidikta ng ating
Mapamili at mapamintas
Na pag-unawa sa buhay...




Br. Dennis DC. Marquez, sSSS

Elias at Salome

Ang hirap palang mangako...

Dati
Sinabi ko sa iyong hindi kita iiwan
Pero sa katotohanan
Ito na rin pala ang mga kataga
Nang aking pamamaalam

Kapag ikaw ay umiiyak sa pag-aalala
Lagi kitang pinapatahan
At dagli-dagli
Ang mga hikbi mo ay napapawi
Nang mga salita ko
Na itinuturing mong pag-asa

Kapag dumarating
Ang paglubog ng araw
Lagi kang nanabik
Sa aking pagdating
Mula sa kadiliman
Maririnig ko
Ang patakbo mong pananabik
Upang ako ay salubungin ng yakap
Upang ako ay pupugin ng halik (to kiss all over)

Andami nating pinag-uusapan
Halos kulang ang buong magdamag
Sa marami kong pagkukulang
Wala akong sumbat na naririnig
Hanggang sa mauwi pareho tayo sa katahimikan
Kung saan hahalikan mo ang aking mga kamay
At yayakapin kita
At sabay nating pagsaluhan
Ang nalalabing sandali ng magdamag

Iiwan kita
Habang ikaw ay natutulog
Bago sumilay ang araw
Magigising ka
Nang wala na ako sa iyong tabi
Mula sa kalayuan
Makikita ko mula sa bintana
Ang iyong pagluha
Habang yakap-yakap mo
Ang kumot
Na pinagsaluhan
Nang nakaw na ligaya

Laging masakit
Laging itong sumusugat sa puso
Dahil laging may hadlang
Sa pag-ibig nating hindi makahinga
Mga nauunsiyaming pagsuyo
Mga umid na ibigan
Na pawang nakabilanggo
At hindi makahinga at makalago

Kung saan
Ang tanging nagbibigkis
Sa atin dalawa
Ay ang mga wagas ng pangako
Nang ating lihim na ibigan
Sa isang suyuang binabalot ng kahiwagaan
Na itinatago lamang
Nang sinapupunan ng kadiliman

Kung maaari lamang sana
Hindi na tayo magkawalay
Hindi na tayo magkalayo
Hindi na kita iiwan
Iyon ay kung malaya na ako
Mula sa pagkakabilanggo
Mula sa aking pagtatago...




Dennis DC. Marquez

Ano nga ba ang kahulugan ng Service?

(ilang taon ko na itong naisulat. titingnan ko kung may pagababago bang nangyari sa pagtingin ko hinggil sa service sa kapwa).

Lagi kong naiisip ang salitang service. Lagi ko itong ikinakabit sa mga bagay na aking ibinibigay. Basta kapag ako ay nagserve, para sa akin service ito.

Malabo ba? Serve, tapos service. Parang pinaikot ko lang, ano?

Akala ko sa buong buhay ko, kapag ikaw ay nagbigay…service na agad.

Hindi lang naman pera ang pwedeng ibigay. Lahat ng meron ka, basta kapag ibinigay mo…service pa rin iyon. Pati oras…lakas…in short sarili mo…service pa rin iyon.

Ang service ay pagbibigay ng sarili… paglalaan ng oras…o kahit pag-aalay ng sariling buhay…ito ay serbisyo sa kapwa.

Akala ko noong una ito na ang malalim na kahulugan ng service. Kasi sa pagbibigay ng service nagiging masaya ako. Kapag pala nag-eenjoy ka…hindi pa pala ito totoong service.
Ang totoo palang service ay iyong ginagawa mo ang isang bagay na ayaw mo na hindi mo man lang makita kung saan anggulo mo titingnan kung saan ka magiging masaya. Marami akong ginagawang bagay na nagiging masaya ako…hindi pa pala ito service na pang-masa. Ito pala ay self-service. Pinaglilingkuran ko lamang ang aking sarili…dahil ang sarili ko ang nagiging masaya hindi ang aking kapwa.

Maging ako ay nalalaliman sa nais kong pagpapakahulugan ng service. Hindi ko sinasabing kinakailangan tayong maging malungkot sa pagbibigay ng service kundi kinakailangan tayong magsakripisyo at magpakasakit sa pagbibigay ng service.
Kung tayo ay magaling kumanta…madali lang ang maging choir member at maging isang sikat na choir member. Madali tayong makikilala sa ating talent. Mag-eenjoy tayo habang kumakanta. Ang kadalisayan ng service ay nawala. Higit na dakila kung tayo ay hindi

Hindi totoong service iyan dahil nakakakita ka ng kaligayahan…ang totoong service ay iyong hindi ka nakakaramdam ng kaligayahan kundi puro pasakit pero dahil sa pagmamahal sa kapwa ay ginagawa mo pa rin. Hindi ito katangahan kundi kahiwagan ng buhay. Oo, nga’t walang maaapi kung walang mag-papaapi subalit ang dapat nating gawin…hayaan natin ang espiritu ng panginoon ang magpuno sa mga pagkukulang na ating nararamdaman.

Oo nga’t mahirap magbigay ng wala subalit higit na dakila ang magmakaawang manghingi sa ama ng iyong maibibigay sa kapwa. Ang lahat ng ating tinatamasa ay nagmula sa kanya kung kaya’t anong ikakatakot ng ating mga puso kung mawala ang lahat ng ito sa isang iglap. Mas pagpapalain ang mga nauubusan dahil sa pamamahagi sa iba kaysa sa mga napapanisan dahil sa pagdadamot sa kapwa. Ang mga nauubusan ay pupunan ng Panginoon ang mga nag-uumapaw at napanisan ay tatangisan ng Panginoon.



===
go to a recollection:
http://denmar1978.blogspot.com/2013/04/one-week-on-line-recollection.html

Br. Dennis DC. Marquez, sSSS

Job

JOB as retold by Br. Dennis DC. Marquez, SSS

The story of Job, the bible character whom I really like goes like this:
One day the devil went to heaven to see God.
He said, “Hi! God!”
And God replied, “Hey! Where have you been?”
The devil told God: “Well, I’d been here and there. Goes up and down. Roamin’ and roamin’ until one of Your servant, named Job, caught my attention.”
“Really? I think he’s doin’ great.”
“Yeah!” the devil agree. “He’s just fine down there.”
“What about Him?” God ask.
And the devil explain, “You know, I want to put him into a test. I’m thinking that… ummm…. I’ m thinking what would be his reaction after giving him some sort of surprise... “
"A party? That's great!"
"Ennnkkk! Naaaa! Wrong answer."
"What?" God exclaimed.
"... a CURSE!"
“Gosh! You want to test his faith? That poor man…”
“Well, at least we would know.” The devil persist.
Then finally, God agreed. “Just don’t kill him, okay.”
“Okay. As you wish.” The devil leave God's court with a big smile on his face.

Then the devil went down to earth from heaven. He had seen Job praying in his simple hut while his sons were so festive—singing and drinking a lot.
“Now its, time.” Said the devil. “Ummm... I’ll gonna send lightning to end his sons life! Bzzzt!” The devil laugh... and there it was! Death every where. “And there will be more. It's so fun!” The devil laugh.
Then rush to Job his servant. “O God, O God! My master. Your sons are all dead!”
And another one came, “O God, O God! My master somebody took your field! You are now poor!”
Then his nagging wife went in complaining. “Now we are childless and poor! And you’re suffering with plenty of boils! You should curse your God!”
Even his friends urged him to burst his anger against God.
But Job said, “Na! Naked I came from my mother’s womb. Naked I will also come back to God’s bosom.”

Wounded-Healer

The Lord is a wounded healer.

When His cousin, John the Baptist, was beheaded; I know He was broken hearted. It could have been so painful. If I’m on His shoes, I would start to be shaken and be afraid for this situation is so threatening… a prophet is killed.

Yes, Jesus withdrew Himself. He was affected. He would have been looking for someone to console Him but no one could suffice His terrible loneliness for all of them, Him and His disciples, could have felt the same way—feeling of defeat, loss of inspiration… despair.
On the other hand, the crowd keeps on following Jesus. The crowd longs for Him—for His words and healings. He needs to recompose again His own self in order for Him to serve the clamor of the crowd. He totally forgets about Himself, and selflessly served the crowd like a vert dedicated Shepherd to His longing herd of sheep. And it did happen, in this occasion where the Lord is still in the pain of mourning, the miracle of the feeding of the plentitude did happen.

As God’s servant, my heart will always be torn into two pieces… between my personal wants and the reality of my ministry. My personal wants will always be filled with many caprices, whining, anxiety, doubts and demands, but I must transcend all these to faithfully `respond to the call of servanthood. I must know the difference between needs and wants; and I must focus to what is more important. Despite of the trials in life, like Jesus, I should still remain generous.

Yes, I am broken… incapable of healing others for I am also wounded by my past and my fears of the future. But, I am still offering myself to God to be His instrument in consoling others. I would let Him to use my allergy-batten-hands to touch wounded lives. My incapable-to-sing voice to preach His words to soothe and bring hope to the wounded souls. And my whole self, once almost wasted and brought to life once more by God, to bring Christ in the most Holy Eucharist in their midst… where love is shattered by hatred, where loneliness and despair calls for a brother to care , nor where dreams almost ceased for hope is mired by severe poverty and death.

They are all challenges. An inevitable consequence of the path I dared to thread upon. As a wounded-healer, I know, I won’t be alone. Like in Jesus’ ministry, miracles-- no matter how big or small they are or will be, will also happen through graces and answered prayers which God will endow upon us all.



===
go to a recollection:
http://denmar1978.blogspot.com/2013/04/one-week-on-line-recollection.html

Br. Dennis DC. Marquez, sSSS

Matthew 12:46-50

“Who is my mother and who are my brothers?”

The Gospel today reminds me of Hospicio de San Jose’s turning cradle. Brother Rael once told me that there was a time before that abandoned children were just put into that turning cradle. From that turning cradle, what nuns would found was a helpless baby without a trace of his or her parents. And for a child to have an identity, the Daughters of Charity nuns would give the child a Christian name and would allow the child to use the surname, San Jose to be a part of the orphanage’s big family. Wherein children could claim that their mother is Mama Mary, their father is Papa Joseph. When you ask a little child from Hospicio, if who is his brother, he would answer, “si Jesus.” Then I asked why, and the child told me, “kasi nagpapakabait din po ako.”

The Gospel reading for today, as far as I remember, is quite controversial. It is controversial for disputes arouse from the opening statements: While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside. Some would believe that Jesus has his brothers from Mary—that Mary bore other children aside from Jesus. But this statement could not easily shaken our faith, nor defy the existing dogma of the church for the meaning of the statement stemmed from a Hebrew culture which is also near to ours. We would also remember that they also practice extended family relationship wherein cousins and friends are all called and own as dear brothers and sisters. Even in Uganda, according to Br. George, this also happens.

But for Jesus, this family ties is not an assurance towards the Kingdom of God. What counts is being a disciple which Jesus goes on to define in terms of doing the will of “the Father.” We would remember that his disciples have left their own families for Jesus. That in our own vocation stories also, there was a point that we needed to live our own families just to follow Jesus.

On the road towards following Jesus, we simply don’t follow. We imitate Jesus and let Him dwell in our hearts. Truly, discipleship is an act of self-giving just like St. Peter Julian Eymard on his gift of self: I must be to Jesus, what Jesus was to His Father—where we can recall Eymard as a child listening to the heart of Jesus at the tabernacle. Or where we can see once more ourselves talking to God in the exposed Blessed Sacrament as we commit again and again ourselves to the vows we promised to live by.

There is no nepotism here. Walang palakasan. But only pure change of heart by anyone who calls the name of Jesus. Like a child from Hospicio de San Jose, we need to believe with our whole heart and trust the saving power of Jesus. We must be certain with this, not lukewarm on this matter. The first reading reminds us the faithfulness of God by liberating the Jews from the tyrannical Egyptians. In our lives, God’s liberation happens when we are forgiven from our sins. Once we were forgiven and converted into a new person, it’s also our task as Children of God to be a blessing to others. We need to share the gift of God he has endowed to us; and it is our task to let Jesus be known to others.

How I wish like a child from Hospicio de San Jose, I could always claim that Jesus is my brother. That I could also say with innocence that like Jesus, “nagpapakabait din ako."

Panalangin ng Pag-asa

Panginoon...

Ikaw nawa ang aking maging kamay
Upang mahawakan ko at matulungan
Ang mga taong minamahal ko
Na niligalig ng sigwa

Malayo man sila ngayon
Sa aking nangungulilang piling
Maging kumot ka nawa nila
Sa gitna ng ginaw at kadiliman

Samahan mo nawa sila
Sa lahat ng kanilang pinagdadaanan
Maging gabay na tanglaw
Sa kawalan ng pag-asa

Ihatid mo sa kanilang pisngi
Ang aking halik ng pananabik
Upang ipaalala sa kanila
Na hindi sila nag-iisa

Lubos akong nanalig
Lubos akong umaasa
Na darating din ang araw
Na kami ay magkakasama. Amen.

Dennis DC. Marquez

The Master's Touch

Since my childhood
I am blind
I am so familiar with darkness
I call it home
A world
That I can say
That I am all alone

But, there is something that I am missing
They were the hands that rack my cradle
When my mother and my father were not around
They were the hands who touches me when I cry

Since my childhood
I am deaf and mute
I am so familiar with silence
I call it home
A world
That I can say
That I am all alone

But, there is something that I am missing
They were the hands that rack my cradle
When my mother and my father were not around
They were the hands who touches me when I cry

Since my childhood
I am lame, I can't walk
I am so familiar with stillness
I call it home
A world
That I can say
That I am all alone

But, there is something that I am missing
They were the hands that rack my cradle
When my mother and my father were not around
They were the hands who touches me when I cry

Since my childhood
They call me as a 'challenged child'
I am so familiar with ridicules
I call it home
A world
That I can say
That I am all alone

But, there is something that I am missing
They were the hands that rack my cradle
When my mother and my father were not around
They were the hands who touches me when I cry

All throughout our lives
We thought we were alone
In a world that separates us
From being loved and unloved

They were the hands of the Master (God)
Who touches us when we cry
Who cradle us into sleep
Who loved us for who we are.




Dennis DC. Marquez

Luha ng mga Inosente

(Malakas na ulan kung kailan magde-decide about RH Bill?)

Hindi ito malakas na ulan
Na ipinadala sa atin ni God
Kasi ayaw naman ni God
Na mayroong sa ating masaktan

Ang malakas na ulan na ito
Ay ang mga patak ng mga luha
Ng mga hindi na mabilang na mga bata
Na ipinalaglag ng kani-kanilang mga magulang

Pumapatak ito mula sa kalangitan
Dahil naroon silang lahat
Bilang mga anghel na kerubin
Na sa atin ay nakasubaybay.






Dennis Marquez

Sulat from Baby

Nakaka-touch namang makita
na ang may mga ari ng mga alaga nilang hayop
ay inililigtas ang kanilang mga alaga:

Katulad ng mga cute na aso na buong pagmamahal
na binubuhat ng may ari
para hindi mabasa ng tubig baha.

Sana ako rin,
Kahit nag-aaway sila lagi ng tatay ko
Kahit maraming problema silang pinagdaraanan
Sana hindi nila ako pabayaan
Ipagtanggol sana nila ako.

Hindi po ako dugo...
Ako po ay isang cute na baby na may buhay na
TAO na po ako
HINDI PO AKO ISANG PROBLEMA
Kasi regalo po ako
Sa inyo mula sa Dyos...

Sabi ni God sa akin
Ilang buwan po mula ngayon
Ipapanganak na daw po ako
Kaya lang naririnig ko po kayo
Tuwing kayo ay umiiyak
Tuwing kayo ay nag-aaway
Tuwing kayo ay natatakot
Na gusto nyo raw po ako
Na tuluyan nang IPALAGLAG (TO ABORT)...

"Nanay...
Tatay...
HUWAG NYO PO AKONG PATAYIN...
Magpray po tayo kay Jesus
Malalagpasan po natin ang lahat ng problema
BIGYAN NYO PO AKO NG PAGKAKATAON
UPANG AKO AY IPANGANAK
UPANG AKO AY MABUHAY..."

Love, BABY.

Tilamsik ng Diwa

May mga bagay na pwedeng sabay gawin
Pwede mo akong samahan habang ako ay nag-iisa
At pwede mo rin akong mahalin kung sakaling ibigin kita.



Dennis DC. Marquez

Kabutihan

kahit ilang ulit kang siraan o saksakin ng talikuran
o iwan nila sa ere na nag-iisa at walang kalaban-laban
huwag kang gaganti o magsasalita ng masama

gawin mo pa rin ang nakabubuti (good)
kasi, yun ngang gumagawa na nang mabuti
e hindi ka pa rin nila kayang mahalin
what more kung gawan mo pa sila ng paghihiganti
lalo ka lamang na hindi nila iibigin

hindi ko sinasabing magmakaawa ka
o manlimos ng gabutil na pagmamahal
dahil kapag pinili mong magmahal
sa kabila ng kanilang kasamaan
ang iniibig mo ay ang natitirang kabutihan
na naghihingalo at nag-aagaw buhay
mula sa kaibuturan ng kanilang nabubulok na pagkatao

mula sa katahimikan ng pagtitimping ito
dadaloy ang grasya
na tutunaw
sa lahat ng hinala
sa lahat ng kabuktutan
sa lahat kasamaan
kahit patayin ka pa nila
o pahirapan
hindi nila maaagaw sa iyo
ang pagpapala ng kabutihan
at ang kaliwanagan ng pag-asa

kabutihan ang bangungot
sa lahat ng kasamaan
na umaalingawngaw
mula sa kaibuturan ng bawat kaluluwa

ito ang pag-asa
na babago
sa bawat puso
at bawat pagkatao




Dennis DC. Marquez