Balik-tanaw sa buhay ni St. Francis

Mahirap mang paniwalaan, nagsimula ako ng hayskul sa isang Katolikong paaralan (bilang iskolar, ‘di kaya ng pamilya ko ang tuition). Isa sa mga ‘di ko malilimutang karanasan sa paaralang iyon ay nang dalhin ang buong klase namin sa library upang manood ng pelikula. Ang palabas, “Brother Sun, Sister Moon”, na ang bida ay si St. Francis of Assisi.

Wow, libreng sine! Pero talagang nakakayanig ang istorya. Nagkaroon siya ng superpowers kahit hindi siya nakagat ng mutant  gagamba. Ang kanyang superpowers: pinili niyang mamuhay sa kahirapan, kahit galing siya sa mayamang angkan. Mabuti na lang at wala siyang asawa’t biyenan, at hindi na rin niya naging problema kung paano magpaaral ng anak sa kolehiyo.

Naalala ko ito dahil ang ika-4 ng Oktubre ay kapistahan ni San Francisco. Itinuturing siyang patron ng mga hayop at ng kalikasan. Sa katha niyang “Canticle of the Sun” makikita ang lalim ng kaugnayan ni St. Francis sa ‘Sangnilikha. May halaga rin pala ang mga ang mga bagay na nasa paligid natin, ang mga Hayop at Halaman, ang Araw, Buwan, Hangin, Tubig at Apoy. Ang pananampalataya pala ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pansariling kaligtasan ng kaluluwa, at hindi lamang tungkol sa tao.

Sa kasalukuyan, maigting ang pagtatalo sa lipunan tungkol sa moralidad at kasalanan. Ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng pagmamahal sa buhay? Sapat na bang iligtas nating ang buhay at kaluluwa lamang tao, o may halaga din ba lahat ng mga nasa paligid natin?

Narito ang Ingles na salin ng Canticle of the Sun (mula sa http://www.webster.edu/~barrettb/canticle.htm):

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.