It had been cloudy and rainy for the past days in Bontoc, Mountain Province; but I did not lose hope for the planned activity at Mount Pukis, Bontoc. It is an activity to celebrate the Season of Creation through morning praise and the Holy Mass.
On the evening of Sept. 5, the rain stopped and the moon appeared to signal that the following morning will be one fine day.
I woke up at 4 a.m. with the strong hope that the weather will be good. Indeed, God approved our plan to have the Season of Creation Morning Praise and Holy Mass at Mount Pukis.
The beautiful Wednesday dawn provided us a good weather and an opportunity to have the first ever Holy Mass celebrated on that mountain.
The sunrise came on time during the consecration, epiclesis, and the showing of the bread and wine that turned into the body and blood of Jesus.
There was a very beautiful communion of man and God enveloped by the beautiful creation of God.
Here is an excerpt of my homily.
The Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians 1:1-8 underlined the values and virtues of gratitude, faith, hope, and love.
“We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the holy ones because of the hope reserved for you in heaven.”
The Book of Psalm 52: 11 says it, “I will thank you always for what you have done, and proclaim the goodness of your name before your faithful ones.”
The gospel today narrates, “At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.” (Luke 4:43) We need to go to a deserted place for serenity and solace, especially a place of solace provided by God.
Mount Pukis is a place where we can find tranquility. The several occasions I had been to the place were occasions where I found tranquility and solace, where I found God in his creation especially the perfect combination of the sunrise with the sea of clouds. Indeed, the beautiful creation is a perfect affirmation that there is God and this God is beauty and the author of all beauties.
The beautiful creation must lead us to appreciate. Nevertheless, it should not end by sheer appreciation and must lead us to the author of the beautiful creation.
The best gesture of appreciation is the moral and social mandate to take care of Mother Nature and to be able to thank the Author and best architect, God.
The photos are beautiful evidences of God’s artwork.
We continue to invite everyone to join us celebrate the Liturgy at Mount Pukis every First Wednesday of the month.
Fortunately, I was able to write a song from the theme of this year’s celebration with the title, “Let Justice.”
Let Justice
Season of Creation 2023
G C D C G D
(Chorus)
G C G
Let justice and peace flow to water the land.
C D
Let justice and peace flow to give life to the sky.
G C G
Let justice and peace flow to breathe for the sea.
C
“Let justice roll down like the water
D C D
And righteousness like a never-failing stream.” (Amos 5:24)
C D C D
Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing.
C D C D
Now it will spring forth, will you not be aware of it.
G D
I will put a road in the wilderness
C D
and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)
(Chorus)
Coda:
G
Let justice and peace flow.
C
Let justice and peace flow.
G
Let justice and peace flow.
C
Let justice and peace flow.
Healing prayers for Frs. Ronilo Pagao, Pablo Lumiwan, William Bilag, Vincent Sagandoy, and complete healing for Frs. Brayle Bagyan, Michael Tokoyen, and Benedict Castañeda; Sister Emie Damuyan SIHM; and Ferdinand Castañeda. Thank you!
Come to Mount Pukis for the Season of Creation morning praise.
Reach me at [email protected].
