From a distance, KAPALIGIRAN in focus

By Rene C. Malanyaon

“From a distance, the world looks blue and green,” so the song goes, so Bette Medler sings.

Julian . . . Kristine . . . Leon . . . Marce . . . Nika . . . Ofel . . . Pepito . . . seven typhoons swaying furiously, leaving behind unprecedented destructions and flooding.

I wonder what is in the heart of an astronaut looking below from the vantage point of the International Space Station (ISS) at the seeming procession of typhoons crossing the Philippine Archipelago?

Maybe, they who are so safe in the nook of a space station peering at a window physically not affected by its onslaught, might as a human being who has a compassionate heart, would feel the sufferings and pains of the people below. And maybe, one might say, “Behold, climate change in its glory!”

Why glorify a phenomenon who brings destructions and death?

Not adding insult to injury but giving focus to truth and reality.

What is truth? God is calling us to see reality.

What is reality? The reality that if we do not heed the call of nature, one day from a distance the world once blue and green will be no more.

What a grim prospect for humanity!

But there is Hope!

Each one of us who have experienced the fury of these typhoons have a story to tell. A story that might give others a chance to stop from their routinary life and reflect what is happening around us. Here in our place, in the height of Typhoon Kristine’s torrential rains, the rivers have overflowed sweeping several houses along the way. And sadly, people have been swept and went missing for several days. The community went looking for the missing ones and did not stop until they were found. Only then did the neighborhood became at peace. Everyone had been caught unprepared by the might of the rushing waters! Everyone was not prepared by the unprecedented height and swiftness of it! In the aftermath of Kristine and company, one can see the magnitude of its destructions; the flood, the debris, the landslides, the agricultural landscape, the casualties, the stranded people, the homeless, the evacuees, the rich, and the poor. It was the poor who have suffered the most. Amidst the destructions, there shines the beauty of the human heart. People went out of their way in helping others, not minding the dangers and tiredness of their works. Beauty shines when everyone becomes brothers and sisters, mindful of the welfare of the others. But beauty is destroyed when bad politics enters in the distribution of relief goods. Beauty is destroyed when selfish people still think and acts selfishly amidst so much sufferings and destructions.

What lessons can we get from these typhoons?

May I invite everyone, if you have the time, please read Laudatu si’. Just search it in the Internet.

Each one of us is a pilgrim of hope. We are Pilgrims of Hope as the theme says for next year’s Jubilee Year. The human heart is resilient and is created towards what is good. Amidst these stories, may we find the heart to return to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

“God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us from a distance.” Ends Medler’s song.

May I add, God is watching us . . . amidst us, among us, and in us.