SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT 2
Living in
God's grace
PRAYER BOOKLET
JUANNE ONGSIAKO EARL JOY LOPINA
THROUGH THE LENSES OF OTHERS For the frontliners in the laboratory, the struggle of continuing their work is evident in the light of present health threats. These workers have been experiencing such heavy realities for months, witnessing countless deaths and even those silent cries from their co-workers. Deeply longing for their family members, they chose to work for the nation – facing discrimination and even the fear of getting terminated if they criticize the system.
For parents who always find means to help their children, facing unjust systems and discriminating institutions without proper income is really a hindrance. With the added obstacle of handling health matters during a pandemic, parents are left with no choice but to diskarte to help their sick kid. It is indeed painful for parents to see their child suffering. And on top of that, social institutions add to the struggles of already financially burdened families.
Despite all these challenges, they remain hopeful for brighter days and to see their families again. They pray for unity and cooperation in the hospitals together with the government to finally combat this disease. They see light in the improvement of COVID-19 test kits and find little joys in food and supply donations from Filipinos.
Perhaps the love of a parent to a child outshines the challenges in life. Inspired by their child's strength, they remain strong throughout the process. The parents pray for their child's fast recovery, and such gratitude to all the blessings they received in the form of financial help from the kind hearts of Filipinos through the Ateneo. Hopeful for better government assistance, the family prays that people won't lose hope and that they continue to achieve their dreams to help their families.
Applying a more holistic view on the sector we've encountered, we recognize that the underlying issues they're experiencing are multifaceted. This shows us that tackling the root causes of such issues would entail mutli-sectoral approach and cooperation. As people tend to depend on the Filipino spirit of resiliency and the "okay lang, kaya yan" mentality, this won't really solve anything but only hinder us from seeing the evident issues in society, especially in the lack of accessibility in the health sector. Now more than ever, we are called to unite against a pandemic and the obvious cases of injustice and oppression. May we learn to be more compassionate towards others in these times of great need.
We now turn to You, Lord God. You are a loving and purposeful Father. And we recognize that all things happen according to Your will. Allow us to see You in a holistic way as we reflect upon the experiences of our brothers and sisters whom have been victims of unjust systems in this earth.
For the abused and mistreated, especially in the health sector Everyday Lord, Your people cry, “Mapasaamin ang kaharian Mo, Sundin ang Loob Mo dito sa lupa para nang sa langit.” Please listen to Your People, Lord. Show them a glimpse of that place where their needs are filled - whether it be material, emotional and spiritual. Make known Your presence amidst their strife, that despite the rejections, begging, and fears, You will not forsake them in this life or the next. We know You will not forsake them, just as Your Son has said before, “I am the good shepherd, and I now mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10: 14-15)
So please, comfort our kapwa, as You have promised long ago. Guide them like the shepherd You are, teach them to weave through the structures of sin and the people who wish to exploit them. We also ask You on their behalf to provide them the means and will to survive and hope despite these desolate times. May they surrender their struggles to You, especially in terms of health, knowing and trusting only You, our Divine Healer.
For the oppressors and promoters of unjust health systems We ask for You to touch the minds of our leaders, that they may be more compassionate and empathetic. We ask that they may have a plan to ease the suffering of the people they promised to serve. Show them to use their influence for the common good of the people, to see the liberation of the oppressed as their own from sin. Help them realize how they may change society should they choose to do so. Make them see how these structures that uplift them, come at the expense of those who are imprisoned in their poverty. Show them the violence of their ways, so they may exchange this for a violence of love that works against the oppressive structures that have remained for so long.
Let them know of their temporary thrones built on fickle sin. Show them the alternative route of compassion, of social justice, lest these very weapons be turned against these oppressors. Help them realize their wayward ways, Lord, before it worsens still. Allow them the grace to turn away from their sinful lifestyles, for a better, and brighter way of living. Yet should they not, we hope that retribution will come and help see them anew. Just as when Your people sinned and suffered, but in that agony there was the hope for renewal because You will never truly forsake them. Let justice be the drive for them to become anew. “My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is; I tell myself my future is lost, all that I hoped for from the Lord. The thought of my homeless poverty is wormwood and gall. Remembering it over and over leaves my soul downcast within me. But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope.� (Lamentations 3: 17 - 21)
God's presence amidst Struggles
For us Lord, for so long we’ve been blind to the pressing Signs, which are now unleashed all at once in these difficult Times. We plead You to open our eyes to the reality, past the deception and lies they tell us, to see true disease in their bodies and society, so we may find the cure and to get rid of this plague spreading through Your Kingdom.
We offer ourselves as tools for You to use, just as You have wielded others in the past to usher in Your will, to listen, to heal, to protect, to be with those who call out Your name. Wash our eyes from fear and prejudice, to see our kapwa as our own, to become one with them. The downtrodden, the needy, the unappreciated, both oppressed and oppressor - help us see that Your salvation is open to all. Help us to mirror Your Heaven on this Earth turned Hell.
Our Gratitude Finally Lord, we also want to thank You for the graces You’ve sent these people. Thank You for charities that helped them gather their needs, for the groups that carry out the Church’s Social Mission, donation drives, and awareness campaigns. Thank You for the messengers who offer open ears and arms to their woes. Thank You for the strength of the youth, in their initiatives to help the needy. Thank You for touching their hearts, and we implore You to continue touching more. Thank You for your grace manifesting through these persons. Thank You for the choice to choose grace, and that these people are doing so despite the harder times. May they continue to be beacons and examples of Your steadfast love and devotion and strength to the weary souls, and teach us also to follow in their footsteps.
All of this we ask in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Sources: Bible Gateway. (1971). John 10:1-42: Revised Standard Version. Retrieved October 22, 2020 from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/? search=John+10%3A1-42&version=RSV Bible Gateway. (2011). Lamentations 3: Revised Standard Version. Retrieved October 22, 2020 from https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/? search=Lamentations+3&version=NIV [BibleProject]. (2016, September 14). Overview: John Ch. 1-12 [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved October 22, 2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2e9mMf7E8 [BibleProject]. (2016, July 1). Overview: Lamentations [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved October 22, 2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=p8GDFPdaQZQ&t=291s Catholic Relief Services. (2020). Catholic Social Teaching Principles. Retrieved October 22, 2020 from https://www.crs.org/resource-center/CST-101 Manila Bulletin. (2020). COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/12/covid-19-cases-declining-in-metromanila-hospitals./ Manila Bulletin. (2020). COVID-19 impact on children. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/30/unicef-calls-for-stronger-global-ties-toaddress-covid-19-impact-on-children/ The New American Bible. (1987). The New American Bible. Thomas Nelson, Inc. [trocaire]. (2014, September 25). Catholic Social Teaching in 3 Minutes [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved October 22, 2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELyLdMlFdzA&feature=emb_logo
Booklet concept THEO 12 B-Q1 Booklet designed by Earl Joy Lopina Content by Earl Joy Lopina and Juanne Ongsiako Camiguin photos by Earl Joy Lopina and Andre Doria Pages and color scheme - dark to light colors to signify enlightenment and awareness Created with Canva
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