June 7-20, 2005 Ora et labora (Work and Pray). Monks does not only pray but also work. From the beginning of Christianity, monks have taken seriously the admonition of St. Paul against certain "spiritual" Christians who refused to work under the pretext that the second coming of Christ was likely to happen: "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. Indeed, when we were still with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busy bodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living."

There's a story of a monk who visited a monastery. He criticized the brothers for working, and he commented: "Why do you have to work? Man does not live by bread alone but from every word that comes from the mouth of God." The abbot did not argue with him, but told one of the brothers to bring him to his room and give him book to read, and not to call him for meals. Past meal time, the visiting monk wondered whether they have taken their meal. He keeps on looking at the window, but nobody knocks at his door. Finally, he could no longer bear it, so he went out and asked one of the brothers whether they have taken their meals. The brother said: "Yes, we did." "Why did you not call me," he retorted. "Well, we thought that you are already "spiritual" and don't need to eat any more. We work that we may eat." The visiting monk was so ashamed and asked for forgiveness.

There are several reasons why monks have great concern about work in spite of the fact that they dedicated their entire lives to a life of prayer and contemplation. One reason is that work is necessary so that the monk need not depend on the alms of outsiders. The monk works to support himself, as St. Paul admonishes the first Christians. Thus the famous words of St. Benedict: "Then are they truly monks when they live by the labor of their hands, like our Fathers and the Apostles" (RB 48: 8). The other reason is that work, with its sweat and fatigue, is the first and principal penance imposed by God on the human race. This painful aspect of work is also foreseen by St. Benedict: "If the conditions of the place or their poverty require that they occupy themselves in gathering in the harvest, let them not be saddened" (RB 48: 7)

Last year we were able to harvest 2 tons of shelled corn in a one hectare field despite the fact that we were late in planting and grass grows side by side with the corn. It was like the parable of the weeds and the wheat where both of them grow together until harvest time, but now we are confident that the corn will outgrow the weeds. Thus Talbert, name of this gentle Carabao (water Buffalo) is graciously relaxing in preparation for his another round of works in our corn field. Actually, for many years, our farm does not really generate income. We are always walking on a tight rope on how to balance our desire to help the poor around us and to earn a little. Many times the income of the farm is not enough to cover the wages of our workers, but we keep on dragging our desire to the side of helping them, and also that we maybe able to keep in touch with the tradition of the founders of our Order who worked on agriculture. There were times that we were contemplating to phase it out for practical reason, but we still hold on to it hoping that we can, at least, make even with the operating cost without any more the desire to gain. If we gain a little, thanks be to God, if not, then, thanks be to God too. However, the corn really looks promising this season. Three areas are also planted, whereas last year it was only one.

The rice harvest last season was also good. We haven't bought any since then. Until now we still have several sacks in the stock room that will be more than sufficient for the next harvest this year. AIM (alliance of International monasticism) helped us to purchase pipes and a motor to pump water from a pond which doesn't usually runs dry even in arid season. We use this to irrigate our rice field during dry season. It really helps tremendously, because we can do second cropping if we wish to. This is an advantage for us. The farmers here depend solely on rain to irrigate their fields. Br. Delfin and his two helpers really work hard. During planting and harvesting rice, Br. hired a good number of people to help him. The brothers in formation helped more during harvest time. This is a moving experience for those brothers who grow in a city. But in the corn harvest, we did it ourselves.

June 21 - 28, 2005. Death and Burial of Cardinal Sin, archbishop of Manila. I think it is not farfetched to say that what Pope John Paul II is to the whole world Cardinal Sin is to the Philippines. The Filipino people is in a state of mourning of the death of this great man and at the same time recalled with a happy gratitude for all he has done to our country.

Cardinal Sin holds a special place in the memory of our community as he was the bishop of Jaro at the time when the six American founders of our community arrived here in 1972. He had been to our community for several occasions before embarking for Manila to take a new pastoral responsibility. Many people who worked closely with him would affirm that "He was a leader who was never afraid to face uncertainty. He always stood on the edge, on unstable rough ground in his life time. He had lived to serve. He shepherded his flock with unyielding determination..He brought about political change without bloodshed. He exhorted the nation to greater levels of spirituality and unity. He became all things to all men in the eyes of God, the nation and beyond."

During the difficult and tumultuous times of the dubbed dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, to the debates on population control and the proposed amendment of the Constitution during the time of President Fidel Ramos to the jueting scandal that ousted President Joseph Estrada, Cardinal Sin served as a beacon of light to the moral conscience of the Filipino people. He boldly steered the Catholic Church and the Filipino people in our struggle against oppression, corruption, and evil.

Undoubtedly, he was saddened by the death of his good friend, Pope John Paul II and had wanted to attend his funeral if only he was not impeded by his health. He was one of the two eligible cardinals for the conclave that was not able to attend for health reason. But anyhow, both Cardinal Sin and Pope John Paul II will meet again in paradise and hear the Lord say: "Come to me, blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world."

In Christ and Mary,
Fr. Alberic