Conquered Fears!

This piece was penned by then Asp. Paul Dungca, an incoming novice this year. He wrote it for The InsideOut, the official publication of Don Bosco Seminary in Canlubang Laguna.

Fear is rooted in one thing, uncertainty. We are frightened because we are not sure of many circumstances. Just for example, we are so afraid of ghosts/spirits because we have no concrete and sufficient knowledge on them. An analogy can be given to our up-to-the-minute Brother Assistant, Donnie Duchin Duya, not of the spirits but of the feeling—fear.

During the advent of his arrival, many of the seminarians were wandering on what kind of Assistant is in imminent. Several of them especially the lower years were apprehensive because of his peculiar face. It seems to be hiding millions of dogmatic stuff. Another reason of trepidation is that of his huge and heavy name, attached with an exclamation point, Donnie Duya! His postures and movement seems to be esteemed, vigilant and jagged. And apparently everything that concerns him must be in its most refined condition. Not wanting to be frank, but maybe 7 out of 10 seminarians have an impression that of he is “weird”, from looks to moves. And 3 out of 10 would say “a man of perfection”. Take it figuratively.

Now, it’s been two months since he “stunningly” arrived in our community. And ecce, fears started to subside, from impressions into recognitions. He “was” not the assistant of our ideals, not existing at all. His so called peculiar face is just a mere asset of his covered and yet genuine humility. Plus his name, it will remain as it is a sheer name—special and yet a personal term of his character on which later on will add a new meaning in their (seminarians) vocabulary, depending on their relationship to him.  His seemingly respectable postures where erased off by his “mock seriousness”, which is in reality his own way of sweet nothing and endearment. 

Making a survey now, the statistical and numerical value above will appear no more. Because since he arrived, he had only one goal and that is to penetrate each seminarian’s heart. Which will give him later on a ratio of 1 is to 1 (1:1), one Donnie is to one seminarian, diverse from each other.

I personally found it hard to write this article, I do not know on what to scribble about him and his influx. But shortly have decided to write my feelings towards him while jotting this, fear. Writing this, surely the fear will die, it will be conquered. For now, there is somewhat certainty.

the freedom to choose

here's my insideout column for the month of august:

“show them their possibilities,
but never choose the path for them.”

does the quote above ring a bell? i’m sure that for all who’ve seen the film “superman returns,” it does.

i’m not one of those fortunate superman fanatics who got the chance to see the movie when it was shown in theaters. as of date, i have not seen it, although, at the moment, i am devouring the book version of the film. but of course, if an opportunity comes, i will excitedly watch it (fr. mols, i hope you’re reading this!).

the quote above is from jor-el, the biological father of superman (a.k.a. kal-el, a.k.a. clark kent). he deposited this message through a crystal so that superman can still access it years after his death. to put it in proper context, jor-el is saying something about humankind. that we can be a great people, if we wish to be.

i have not finished reading the book, but a friend told me that the thesis of the film revolves around the identity crisis of superman. the three persons (i.e. kal-el, clark kent, and superman) inside the first superhero that i dreamt to become were put to question.

my obsession in awaiting the resolution to this life-issue of superman brought me to reflect on the identity of the blessed mother. and i believe that this realization is one of the pleasant aftertastes the solemnity of assumption has left in me.

come to think of it, mary’s only a simple maiden, who later became a plain housewife. but despite her simplicity, she was the only human figure so far that has been blessed with this singular grace of being assumed into heaven with her body and soul.

the assumption of her body and soul is of course her reward. she was recompensed by god when he invited her to be part of his beautiful plans for the human race imagine, just imagine, if all of a sudden mama mary turned down the invitation. she has the right to say no; she’s very much free not to accept the invitation.

but as history would tell us, she has brilliantly followed god’s call. she made her choice. and that fruit of her outstanding decision has certainly led her—including us—into something big, bigger than i, than you, bigger than life itself.

the result of that choice is the reason why we are celebrating the event of the assumption each year. everything fell on its right place after she eloquently and sweetly pronounced: “yes, your will be done.”

of course, a second assumption is of a remote possibility. we can no longer replicate this divine act of heavenly assumption, but perhaps through the choices that we make, we become like our mother.

sure, mary did not become like superman. she did not fly like a bird nor exhibit herculean strengths. but her power lies in the beauty of heart to make an intelligent decision allowing god to control her life. she showed us that humans can be on a par with a fictional superman, by becoming a member of god’s kingdom.

god, in all his omnipotence, cannot and will not choose the path for us. we should realize that our choice is what makes us. our mother has done hers—in all its brilliance!