Lights and Shadows

It is now the 3rd week of enhanced quarantine in our own respective residences, hopefully to help flatten the curve of the transmission of COVID-19. Similarly, all department stores and shops have been under lockdown, except for some which are exempted like some grocery stores, food item shops and gas stations whose services are routinely necessary in our daily life. The entire Southern Luzon has been declared by the Duterte administration under lock down, and people are looking forward to its lifting by the end of this month (April 30). Important events in our lives have either been cancelled or deferred to another day as a consequence of the total lock down, like the observance of the Holy Week processions, the Easter Sunday “salubong” of the icons of the Virgin Mary and the Risen Jesus, the excursions and family outings on Easter Sunday. Graduation events in most schools both public and private were likewise suspended or cancelled.

Likewise, reports are that the national government thru the DSWD is distributing five (5) kilos of rice per Nagaeño to each household. So if a household has five members it is entitled to twenty (20) kilos of rice. Distribution is reportedly being conducted by DSWD officials with the assistance of barangay officials. This indeed, is commendable humanitarian endeavor so as no one feels the pangs of hunger.

Indeed, every beautiful and memorable event in our daily lives have been suspended in animation, thanks to COVID 19 virus. We see the lights, and at the same time the shadows brought by this crisis to all of us. But then we look forward to seeing the crimson sunlight beyond the horizon as April 30 comes. And we dare to say “Allelluia, Praise the Lord”. As our beloved Pope has said in his Easter homily, we have the right to hope, and this hope is based on our faith in the Risen Lord.

TRIVIA:

This column notes the commendable action of the members of the Fourth Degree Assembly of the Knights of Columbus who have contributed for the purchase of food items for distribution to some thirteen (13) members of the Assembly who are residents of Calauag and which has been ordered lock down and therefore cannot purchase their basic needs .

Belated Happy Easter to all!

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

NO MAN WITHOUT CHARACTER IS CONSTANTLY COURAGEOUS JUST AS NO MAN OF REAL CHARACTER IS LACKING IN CONSTANT COURAGE.” JOHN F. KENNEDY

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“THUS SAYS THE LORD ‘OBSERVE WHAT IS RIGHT, DO WHAT IS JUST. FOR MY SALVATION IS ABOUT TO COME, AND MY JUSTICE ABOUT TO BE REVEALED.” ISAIAH 56:1