Prayer and power

Last September 8, on Mama Mary’s birthday, a small multisectoral group composed of religious nuns, urban poor, people with disabilities (PWD), those from the academe, youth and children sector, as well as Gorordo homeowners paid a visit to Cebu Bishop Palma.

 It was a beautiful afternoon meeting near Mama Mary’s statue, made even more beautiful by the generous sensitivity and concern of the Bishop to meet the group outside his office to accommodate those in wheelchair to meet with him as well.

 When the group shared their concern to the Bishop about the flyover projects, there was the momentary hesitation of the Bishop to have himself involved with what has become a very politicized issue.

 He appeared relieved though to learn that the group was there to ask for prayers, for guidance from the Lord, for all in Cebu City to clearly discern the will of the Lord for the city, especially for the plan related to the construction of flyovers.

 Those who joined the brief session with the Bishop truly believe in the power of prayer, especially collective prayer lifted to the Lord for Him to touch everyone, both those who consider themselves powerful and those who consider themselves powerless in this world.

 The flyover project has been described both as a technical and a political issue. That afternoon, the multisectoral group decided to meet the Bishop with the belief that the flyover issue was, like everything else in this world, a spiritual issue, one that involved faith in God, in people, in communities.

 Aside from the request for prayers for discernment, someone asked permission from the Bishop to be allowed to distribute flyers or information materials related to sustainable development, especially related to a livable, sustainable Cebu City.

 Another suggested a brief mention, during the mass, about the need for all to pray for guidance about the flyover project and the movement for a livable, sustainable city, to pray for discernment about how best to preserve and protect God’s creations.

 There was also a request for more PWD-sensitive support mechanisms within churches to allow more active participation of more PWDs even during mass and other church services.

 The little children who joined the group shared with their Bishop their drawings about their view of a beautiful world which the kind Bishop expressed appreciation for. Other views and comments were congenially shared by others to the Bishop who, in turn, patiently responded to. Despite his very busy schedule (he had to rush to another appointment after the brief encounter), Bishop Palma made everyone feel he had time to listen to their views and requests. Everyone also felt his concern for the environment as well as for the people of Cebu.

 He assured that he would relay the requests related to the flyover projects as well as other concerns raised that afternoon to the Pastoral Council that had a scheduled meeting the day after that brief afternoon encounter. The group still has to hear, however, about the decision of the Pastoral Council related to the concerns raised that afternoon.

 Still and all, the group that met with Bishop Palma continue to hold on to the belief in the power of prayer, in the crucial role of the Church for guiding the people through discernment about plans related to God’s creations.  

 Hence, tomorrow, on the first day of October, a dawn prayer procession has been scheduled by the Sisters of Asilo for the Lord to lead the Cebuanos to discern what is His will related to the development of Cebu City.

 May the power of prayer touch the hearts and minds of all to discern God’s will for what He deems best, what His will is, for Cebu City and for Cebuanos.

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