KC Concepcion, Annabelle Rama and Simon’s Mother-in-Law

“Basta ako, si KC lang pinapangarap ko para kay Richard.”

Annabelle Rama

I still have the 3 readings of last Sunday from Job, Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, and Jesus healing Simon’s mother-in-law on my desk. More often, I would print out the readings from this site a day or 2 before Sunday and write if there is something to connect the dots with. My present ministry does not provide some opportunities to preach and so writing goes free-wheeling also. Reading the Scriptures is practically for personal meditation, an ancient practice called lectio divina – reading the Scripture over and over and allowing it before any cerebral work would get the juice out of it. Can you sense how lectio divina is exactly the opposite of President Arroyo’s failed persistence for the third time for a photo-op at the National Prayer Breakfast with President Obama? Lectio divina is simply allowing the butterfly to sit one your shoulder rather than stubbornly chase it. It is akin to our regular jeepney drivers who patiently get used to the prattle of passenger’s coins and change until they have 3 kilos of rice to buy come sundown. Again, very much in opposite of those who slyly chase millions out of a government road project because megalomania has become a violent compulsion.

From this set of Sunday readings, there is heavyweight Job, the persistent Paul, and the always cool Jesus. The suffering Job alone is an enigma to the spirit; Paul’s passsion for preaching is a sparker; and Jesus’ healing activities, including Simon’s mother-in-law, abound with lessons for being actively loving and being silent in prayer.

On Mothers-in-Law

Of course, it is a universal catch-phrase. For those who joined the healing Eucharist on TV with Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD last Sunday, we heard his light take on why Peter (formerly Simon) denied Jesus 3 times – because Jesus healed his mother-in-law. Too cruel of course, even for a fledgling disciple like Peter.

Enter Annabelle Rama for the showbiz news fodder last night. Why is she quotable in the first place despite her belligerent front and her noisy attempts to fence off her family from fungal malicious attacks? I guess beyond her jest-prone Cebuano accent, she, like Belo, has given a public, defiant face on behalf of the matriarchal mothers-in-law among us. One truth is mothers-in-law are often daring within their sphere of influence but beyond it is the reservation against social labeling on how grouchy they could get, or intimidating, or meddling. So Annabelle wants KC for Richard. And Simon most probably requested Jesus to drop by her house. She could have texted Jesus if she happened to live in Barangka, Marikina today and he was in Payatas. Annabelle wants the creme de la creme of the showbiz-cum-politics-cum-humanitarianism for Richard alongside KC’s father’s early approval. How Cinderella-like! And Simon wanted the best guest and gift for his mother-in-law. How gracious an act! Who can’t put KC on a pedestal as an icon of a schooled, multilingual actress who divides her time between screen appearance and volunteering for the UN-initiated campaign against world hunger? Annabelle can’t ask for more. Could Simon’s mother-in-law ask for more? I don’t think so. With a healing presence as Jesus that could drive away even a thermo-breaking fever within seconds, what else can be asked from Jesus if we have the health we need in order to serve others. Annabelle must have gone home whistling with her pre-Valentine dream; Simon’s mother-in-law happily served Jesus on the table. KC and Richard admitted it’s still a long way to go; and it was a long night for Jesus as more sick people came by droves.

“Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also,” said Jesus.

My world goes on with or without the intervention of my mother-in-law, more so with her positive plea to God on my behalf. And your world?

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Photo credit: aprille_pics2