Getting Away with Gluttony

Kabanata 36

I've already grasp a wide knowledge about the Christian life, religions, doctrines, and even about the spiritual world. Emilia is also filling me up with other informations related to our topics.

I am so thankful.

Clearly, I am a religious person. I attend church sometimes but  I never attended any other activities like the bible study, prayer meetings, and fellowships.

I just realized one thing, religion doesn't save. It's your relationship with God that matters. It's the faith that counts. By His grace, we are saved through faith. And the relationship with God doesn't start and ends in attending church services only. It goes beyond and more.

"About your concern sa vision mo, if you really wanted to help that person, we can intercede. But God has the ultimate control for everything. Sometimes we can only pray." Saad ni Emilia nang magpaalam saglit si Tatay Xenon to answer a call from an important friend.

"Intercede?"
Curious kong tanong. It's my first time hearing that word.

"Intercessional prayer. It means you pray for someone."

"Pwede 'yon? Can it really help him?" Puno ng pagdududa ang tinig ko.

"Miracle happens, when you believe."

Sounds familiar. I asked kung paano ginagawa iyon. Emilia patiently illustrated how it is done.

"We have prayer warriors who intercede for greater requests and prayers for someone who really needs help."

Matagal na pala nila iyong ginagawa. Every time a church member gets sick, or is dying, got into an accident, or faces a challenging situation. Intercession is their first and final resort. I've heard her tell stories and testimonies of how God moved in the lives of those people they have interceded for.

Napapa-wow na lang ako sa mga kuwento niya. I never thought things like these happen. Ang laki pala ng mundo. At hindi lang ito umiinog sa pag-aaral, pagkakaibigan, pamilya, career, problems. There's more to life than those matters.

"Can I intercede for him? I mean kung pwede akong sumama sa mga prayer meetings niyo." I didn't know where my guts came from. I just felt the desire to help him without endangering another person's life.

This is the last thing I can do. I am not that good at praying. But at least I know how to pray. Aside from that, kagaya nga ng sinabi ni Tatay Xenon kanina, you don't need to be the best in words. Because if you pray, God sees the intentions of your heart. I get it. So, I wanted to pray for him, and for the people  I care about. For their safety and happiness.

Tumayo siya at lumapit sa built-in wall bookshelves na may limang level. Puno lahat iyon ng mga aklat tungkol sa Christian growth, Church histories, and sermons in different volumes.
He took a small book, with a thick cover in red and black. The title is "Powerful Prayer" by Nick Guston. I haven't heard about the author.

"If you want to intercede, read the guidelines. At dahil malayo ka dito, I'll give you a month's schedule of our meetings. You can do the prayer at home." May kinuha siyang isang coupon bond na may printed na columns at rows.

"Kasama na diyan ang options ng iyong preferred fasting. Pwedeng one meal lang, fruits lang, water lang. Depende sa health record mo." Dagdag paliwanag niya.

"Fasting?"
Takang tanong ko.

Magpapagutom ako? I've only heard of it from a Muslim classmate of mine back in high school.

"Well, intercession and fasting come together. Especially if your request is too much. Just like the disciples in the Bible." Ipinaliwanag niya ang paraan ng fasting at interceding sa pamamagitan ng mga taong nabanggit sa Bible like Luke and John.

"Kaya?"

Napalunok ako. Sounds trouble. Pero- "Kakayanin."  Saad ko. Baka iba pa masabi ko.

"That spirit of gluttony you had. It's Nisis. If you ever encounter hardships in dealing with it, call us. Okay?" Bilin niya, tapping my shoulder.

Naipaliwanag na nito kanina ang abilidad niyang makakita ng mga uri ng spirits. Be it territorial, evil, or bound.

According to her, gluttony is a deadly sin. Ipinabasa niya sa akin sa Bible kanina.  And base on St. Thomas' book, Summa Theologica, there is 5 ways to commit gluttony. First is laute for eating food that is too luxurious,  second is studiose for eating food that is excessive in quality. Third is nimis for eating food that is excessive in quantity. Parang ako. Fourth is praepropere for eating hastily. Parang ako din. The last one is ardenter for eating greedily. Masiba ganon. Parang ako din minsan.

I am guilty. Eating is made for us to enjoy and survive. But too much eating has its consequences. It makes the body unhealthy, followed by laziness. It is never good to eat an excessive quantity of food. And if I really wanted to intercede for someone, I must overcome my sin.

Napakadaling isipin. Pero mukhang napakahirap gawin.
Saan ako hahantong?
But I wanted to try it.
No matter what it takes.

When Tatay Xenon returned, we had a brief prayer for this fellowship and for my concerns. I've never felt satisfied and at peace like this. He made me renounced the spirit of gluttony in me. And when I did, parang may mabigat na nakadagan sa akin na biglang nawala. I don't know what happened exactly but I'm sure something changed.

It was already 12 noon when I decided to go but Tatay Xenon made me stay a little longer to have lunch with them.

Si Manong Tobby ay kumain na kasama ang ilang matatandang kababaihan at kalalakihan, samantalang ako ay kumain sa hapag kasama sina Pastor, Emilia  at ang ilang mga kabataang napag-alaman kong bahagi ng Music Team.

After an hour, nagpaalam na ako.
"Thank you so much for the hospitality po."

"Walang anuman anak, you are always welcome here. Visit us when you have time."

"By the time na bumalik ako, I hope I am going to receive an invitation of your wedding. You are not getting any younger. Baka tumanda kang binata niyan, 'tay." Biro ko sa kanya.

"Sa gwapo kong ito? Saka, hindi papayag ang Ate  Yang mo na tumanda akong binata. Papakasalan ako non." Tunog nagbibirong pagyayabang niya.

"Bagal mo 'tay. Baka maunahan pa kita."

"Oh, huwag kang magmamadali. Mas masarap mahalin ang taong ipinanalangin."

"So, ipinagdarasal mo siya, 'tay?"

"Ipinagdarasal niya ako 'nak. Kaunting tiis pa, sasagutin ko na siya."

"Naks! Lakas mo kay Lord, ah."
Tumawa lang kaming pareho hanggang sa namalayan kong napahaba na naman ang kuwentuhan namin. Alas kuwatro na ng hapon nang magpasya akong tumayo para magpaalam.

"I really need to go na po. If you need a sponsor for your church activities, count me in, 'tay. I am more than willing to help." Bilin ko bago ako yumakap at humalik sa pisngi niya.

He feels like a real father figure to me. Nag-wave ako ng kamay sa kanilang lahat nang makapasok na ako sa  Chevrolet Subaru.

It feels like home. Every one of them welcomes me like a real family. Panatag akong pumikit habang nasa byahe, habang kipkip sa kamay ang aklat.

Napangiti ako. Change is coming. I'm sure of it.  

♥