Fr. Bel R San Luis, S V D
SOME years ago there was a movie entitled "Alfie." It tells the story of a British playboy by that name. In the film, Alfie has affairs with five women, his "birds" as he calls them; in local parlance, "alaga."
In all of these relationships Alfie avoids getting too deeply involved, even though one of his "birds" gives birth to his child and another gets an abortion. Alfie’s philosophy is: Take care of yourself first and live for your own pleasures, even if you have to use or hurt other people in doing so.
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But when he is confronted with the possibility of his own death because of an illness, Alfie begins to reflect on the meaning of his life. His questions are summed up in the lyrics of the song by the renowned composer Burt Bacharach wrote for the movie: "What’s it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live?"
The life-threatening crisis scares Alfie and it dramatically transforms his life.
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Alfie experienced a spiritual "awakening" leading to conversion or self-transformation; in Greek, "metanoia."
The flesh may or may not be our weakness. It may be a consuming pride, like getting mad when we don’t get what we want when we want it, self-conceit or the "I" sickness, selfishness and greed (engaged in ‘mining industry’ – mine, mine, all mine to keep), dishonesty through bribing or overpricing, extravagance, like compulsive spending.
Then think, too, of the sins of omission, say, neglecting an act of charity or failing to return something borrowed or to say ‘thank you’ for a favor.
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But turning away is half of the conversion process. The other half, which is perhaps more important, is to turn to something better, to bring us closer to God and to express our Christian love to our fellowmen.
For example, developing selfdiscipline to displace our laziness. To be more generous to counteract our selfishness. Cutting down television time and have more time to pray or more time with the family, to deny a merienda or cigarettes or new clothes in order to give to charity.
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Some people have to experience a crisis in life in order to change, as in the case of Alfie. But why wait for one? After all, someday, sooner or later we will account for our deeds – and misdeeds – before God.
The season of Lent, which we Christians are presently in, is an opportune time for self-examination. We ask ourselves what failings and bad traits we may have. The call of Christ is to conversion, a turning away from our old, sinful self.
And the trade-off? Joy and peace with our fellowmen and ultimate security with God.
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HUMOR OF THE DAY. A man walking along a beach in Cebu was deep in prayer. Suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, "Because you have been faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."
The man said, "Build a bridge to Manila so I can drive over anytime I want."
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The Lord said, "Your request is very materialistic. Think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking – the supports required to reach the bottom of the ocean… the concrete and steel it would take…. it will nearly exhaust several natural resources.
Take a little more time and think of something that’s more worthwhile and practical."
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The man thought about it for a long time. Finally he said, "Lord, I wish that I could understand my wife. I want to know how she feels inside, what she’s thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says ‘nothing’s wrong,’ and how I can make a woman truly happy."
The Lord replied, "Let’s go back to your wish to build that bridge. Do you want two lanes or four on that bridge?"
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PILGRIMAGE. Here’s an invitation to join a pilgrimage to the Holy Land on April 23 to May 01, 2006. The trip includes Jordan and Egypt.
Take advantage of the experience to visit the hallowed grounds where Jesus Christ lived, died and resurrected. For inquiries, call up: Broadway Travel on telephones: 526-7690, 521-4965, 521-4903; cell phone: 0917-8194509. Or e-mail: broadway@pacific.net.ph
I will serve as pilgrimage chaplain.
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