A Good Father

6

"SON! COME! I have something to tell you." said the Cardinal to him on the living room, sitting. The boy was in the kitchen washing his hands. It was eight o'clock at night.

The boy came near him. "Yes, Father?"

"Here. Sit beside me."

"Uh, okay..."

"Uhm, what was your name again? If you can still remember?"

"Ivan po. Ivan Basco."

"Ah. Ivan, son, I know that you did not just appear before me that easily. I know you have came here with misery and pain. I am still greatly marveled until now that you are still alive after being washed along the waters from somewhere you're from, which I believe is far from here. And such a young child as you should still be in the presence of your family."

"Oo nga po, eh..." Ivan replied.

"Kasi, anak, did you know that when I was a child, much younger than you, I actually felt what it was like to lose my parent. My own father, that is. I loved my father so much because he strived hard for our family, and was able to talk and play and spend time with me. But unfortunately, I only had little time to live with him, to make memories with him. 'Cause he already left us here in the world when I was still that young. So I can feel that feeling of longing one has for people whom they love and who love them. More unfortunately in your case, it seems you've lost your entire family. That was even sadder if it had happened to me."

"Ganoon po?"

"Yes, son. That is why I wanted to talk this very important thing to you. You see, the thing is, I decided to take on the necessary decision to help you get back to the people you love, and become one family again."

Ivan lifted up his head toward the Cardinal in surprise.

"Yes, anak. It means you will be under my care from now on, until the moment you will finally get to see your family again."

"But Father, (sighs sadly), I don't know. What if it would barely happen now? What if I couldn't see them again, and-"

"Believe. And you will see."

There was a deep silence in the house for a short while.

"You don't have to worry about anything, son. The Lord is up above, not down below so that He could not bear witness of you and your sufferings. Again, you just need to have faith. In fact, here's what God said about believing in what you want. Kindly read the book of Saint Mark in chapter 11, verse 24."

And getting the Bible on the bookshelf, the Cardinal hands it to Ivan. And Ivan turned to the book, chapter and verse told to him, where it was written:

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

"See, son? You have to believe in what you want. What you need. Believe it all that God will make it happen because you believed in Him, so that it shall truly be yours."

And Ivan was astonished by the word of God, also beginning to restore his deep faith in Him.

"Father, marami pong salamat. I owe you my life for this great hand you gave me."

The Cardinal chuckles.

"No, son, you don't owe me your life. You should have said that only to the Lord, for He is the one truly deserving of all thanksgiving and praise. I am only doing what is necessary as His servant."

Ivan then hugged the Cardinal. The Cardinal felt the embrace deep, very deep into his heart. An unexplainable feeling came to him. And he also crossed his arms through him, embracing him tightly as well.

Many days have passed.

It is the middle of July, and Cardinal Serrano normally does his usual everyday, saying masses at the cathedral with the boy as one of his altar servers, for the Cardinal allowed the boy's request to become one. He then saves a large portion of money from the offerings to buy for the boy clothes and other things that he needs. And soon he bought to him all these things.

"Thank you po, Father. Thank you for helping me," grateful Ivan goes. Looking one by one at his clothes and other things and seeing how happy Ivan is with the things he bought for him, The Cardinal shed tears of joy.

"Sana ganito ako kaswerte noong bata pa ako..."

On the next day, which is a Sunday, the Cardinal said his last mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu City. He summoned the boy to his side while delivering his homily, and took some time to announce to the listening faithfuls whether they know the boy and his family and where they live. He also made the boy to speak before the people, and the people felt pity on his condition. However, none of them could say anything regarding the boy's possible family. The Cardinal then took to local radio stations the following days, calling for the same thing: to help his 'son' be back with his family. This issue with the boy becomes known all over the city, and across the province. Yet they still received no information about it. The day before his scheduled trip, the Cardinal wrote a letter of leave to all of the archdiocese, further requesting the clergy to help find the boy's family on their sermons, and to inform him as soon as a possible sign appears. The child's name, photo and other essential information are already taken for the endeavor.

The 19th day came. The Cardinal will be visiting Kidapawan City, the first of the many invitations that he accepted, on this day. The Cardinal began to pack his clothes early in the morning, and help Ivan pack his. He also prepared every other important things that he and the boy needs during their visit.

Cardinal Serrano is also greatly concerned about Ivan's wound in the face, knowing of the many places and people they are about to interact.

"Ivan, anak?" he softly spoke.

"Father?"

"How is the wound on your face doing now? Does it still hurt?"

"Ano po, medyo lang po. But it only hurts less, like, when I'm not minding about it."

"Ah. The thing is, maybe you should wear a face mask in order to cover and protect the wound, because as you know it, we may be going to many places, and meeting many people.

"Yes, Father. Great idea!" then Ivan takes a face mask and wore it.

"And, I am also quite concerned with your constant shaking, son, can you still manage to do well as we go"

"Opo Father, I think I can."

Both also proceeded to bathe and change. The Cardinal on his black cardinal's dress, and Ivan his brand new clothes and pair of shoes that the Cardinal bought him.

"My son, Ivan, this is it. We're going to find your family across the country, okay? This may take a very long time, but I know in God's time, son, you will soon be able to be back with them again. So you don't have to worry. Things are gonna be fine. You will be fine, son! For God saw all that you have suffered, and He will have mercy on you and He will be with you throughout the days of your life, for He loves you very much, my son!" said the Cardinal to him.

And the Cardinal blessed them both and their provisions and all that they are to bring. He raised his hand over the boy and over these things and thus he blessed:

"The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make His face to shine upon us, and be gracious to us.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon us, and give us peace.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Then they ride on the UV Express that just arrived at the Cardinal's house, bringing all their things, and headed to the airport, and fly to Kidapawan City.