Kung Ako'y Isang..

(pari)

Once a catholic priest asked me pagkatapos ko magsuggest na kailangan ng maraming pari sa kumpisal, na bakit di daw ako magpari. Or another instance na pagnasa confession booth ako then after I speak eh tanong ng pari, pari ka ba? 

Of course, I answered no. It's not really my calling.. =)

You can see I'm religious and siyempre di pa spritually matured. hehe Magkaiba yun, at naisip ko din, paano kaya kung nagpari ako. Kahit sila kuya na nagsabi na magpari daw ako para ako daw mangumpisal. hehe But nah, di talaga para sa akin yun pagiging pari. Although I follow or understand yun mga pari, like sa homily na we should pray that na dumami ang mga pari, to claim the harvest of people. The fisherman of the people. 

Besides, pag nagpari ka, medyo maraming perks.. Libre kainan pag may nagimbita. LO pag may ginawa ka for a ceremony of sorts, or special favor like masses, weddings, confessions or pray over, house blessing and etc. Of course, may title ka, FR. Many adore or follow you, considering as a leader ng community. At pagkilala o medyo sikat na, plus media exposure like other priests. =) No taxes din at yes, you'll not be affected for many problems in your life like family or personal problems kasi you'll be more devoted of serving the community and the church itself. 

Well, kahit ganun ang perks pero siyempre may mga bawal din, hmmmm kahit profession siya, eh di ka naman pwede gala ng gala, or gimmick. Kagaya yun nakita ko sa XXX channel 2 show na pari eh nagbeerhouse.. Nasawa na siguro sa mopo lang iniinom. hehe You cannot go like travelling a lot, kasi everytime you travel eh most of the time, missions. Worse, go to the countries that kung hindi war torn, eh hostile pa with other religions, mahigpit. 

Di rin pwede kumita kasi yun mga nakukuha mo donation or LO eh para sa simbahan, di naman lahat para sa iyo. hehe You can't even have a car agad kasi depende sa church yan or well, matagal ka na nagipon. How about putting up a business? Di din pwede, kung mayroon man, malamang bawal isolo mo lahat ng kita. 

Siyempre, wala namang pari na di religious, I mean bihira ka makakita na after mag mass eh alis na tulog agad like what we do professionals. hehe Dami pa gagawin yun. 

At ang mahirap sa lahat, no friendly dates or real dates with women and in the end, the hardest part of all.. You cannot marry. Damn.. =(

Besides all that pros and cons, ang pinakagusto ko naman sa mga Pari eh yun total dedication nila kay God, in the name of Jesus Christ for the service they do. Devoted to serve not only yun usual parishoners but also to reach other people who are lost, confused, depressed or even looking for answers in life. Or how about yun mga katolikong nagsisimba lang pero parang di pa masaya. Priest teaches those people not only to pray or read the bible but also, doing service for God. Loving him unconditionally and serving people without asking for return. Spreading his eternal words to people in the most simplistic yet holistic way. Fearless because of deepen faith. Lovely because of unconditional love to him. Giving hope for those who felt nothing is going their way. 

As a representative of the high above, it's a honor talaga na serving Him and left everything for him. Yun talaga ang tama according to the scriptures, leaving everything behind for him, as you'll be blessed riches in heaven. Naks, but that's their motivation, not the riches here on earth. They are the bridge for the people going closer to him. Kahit mahirap, di sila nagrereklamo. Kaya bilib din naman ako sa kanila, even they have a lonely life, they seem to be not alone kasi sa strong relationship through those in the same faith at lalo naman kay God. 

Sana naisip ko din, pwede din na magpari na lang ako matagal na. Tahimik siguro ang buhay ko ngayon, living without real worries. Pero kaya di ko din kaya kasi gusto ko naman magkapamilya. =) More importantly, loving someone that will live beside you forever. 

I have different reasons pa pero sa ngayon, I know my purpose in life.. I'll make sure na one part of my life or may mga sandali na nakapaglingkod ako sa iba for the glory of God. 

But for priest, the glory of God is always with them.. 

At that day they agreed to give up everything they have, even their own happiness and followed him. =)