Photo: With the Marist Sisters, Sr. Sheila Manalo (left) and Sr. April Anne Acero (right), whose prayerful presence brought strength and hope to our PDL brothers behind bars today.
Roosters Don’t Crow Only At Dawn
On the first day of Misa de Gallo, I celebrated Holy Mass with our brothers, the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), at Maa City Jail, not at dawn but at the time allowed inside the jail.
And that detail became the reflection.
We often think the rooster must crow only at the break of day. But life teaches us something deeper: some roosters crow in the daytime. Some awakenings come late, not because the heart is stubborn, but because the heart has been wounded, confused, or tired of losing.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of two sons. One said “No” at first, but later repented and went. The other said “Yes,” but did not move. Inside the jail, that Gospel sounded different, more honest, more human, because many PDLs know what it means to say “No” in the past and what it costs to say “Yes” today.
This is the Advent invitation:
Your past “No” is not your final answer.
What matters is not perfect words, but the courage to turn back, even if it feels late, even if it feels like “daytime” already.
May this Misa de Gallo be a holy beginning for all of us, especially for those whose hearts are only now learning to crow again. (Rev. Fr. Gil Casio, SM)
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