Ascension

You are witnesses of these things.

Lk 24: 46-53

A witness is someone who observes an event.

If you happen to go to St, John Bosco Parish in Makati, you will not fail to see a tarpaulin that contains an intriguing painting, Hapag ng Pag-asa. It's like a Last Supper scene, except that instead of the apostles you will see street children. In fact, there is a snatcher and a rugby boy. It is a painting of Joey Velasco. And the children who modelled for him really come from the poor sections of Metro Manila.

That painting has become famous. But more than the fame it has won, that painting is a witness to the return of the primacy of God in the life of Joey Velasco. In fact, he says that it's a symbol of his nearness to God. But he has not always been near God.

Joey Velasco used to be a seminarian. When he left the seminary, his dream was to make it big in the world. He did not exactly forget God. But he did put him at the edges of his life. Then one day in 2005 he was diagnosed with a tumor in one of his kidneys. It was life-threatening. He felt his days were numbered.

He started calling friends and relatives to tell them about his condition and his fears. He would end by asking for prayers. He purposely asked for prayers because it was in those dark moments of helplessness that he realized that there was no one to cling to but God alone. His life was not in the hands of the doctors but in the hands of God.

He underwent surgery and recovered. From then on he was a changed man.

His religious paintings, especially, Hapag ng Pag-asa, is a witness to how God once again reclaimed primacy of place in his life.

Like Joey Velasco, we may not really have turned away from God. We may not really have decided that God is not important. But it may happen that we are so taken up by day to day concerns that we no longer have time for God. It's as if God is a bench warmer. He is there but he is not involved. He is just at the sidelines.

This Sunday the Lord is calling our attention. He is asking us to allow him once again to take primacy of place in our life.

We may not have paintings to show. But let the way we live be a convincing witness that God has truly taken primacy of place in our lives.

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The Salesians of Don Bosco is a religious congregation of priests and brothers dedicated to he welfare of the young. If you feel called by God to give your life for the good of the young, you may want help in discovering if this is God's will for you. Please get in touch with the Vocation Director (Don Bosco North Province, Philippines) - 0917 7930112 - Bro. MON CALLO SDB.