Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. (Matthew 17: 1-2)

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew 17:9)

The place where the children and teens tend to hang out during the day is elevated. It sits above the entrance to the subway station. It is about three stories high. You can stand above it and watch the people walk in and out of the station. There is no protection or guard. It was exactly at this spot where Israel chose to jump. No one knows why. It was completely unexpected. They saw him standing on the edge watching the people coming and going out of the station. Then he was no longer there. It took a while for everyone to grasp what had happened, They looked down and saw him lying in a pool of blood. He was conscious but unable to move. We were not there at the precise moment. We arrived shortly after the incident. Gabriel told us what happened. I went to the spot where he jumped. At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to look down. After mustering all the courage I needed, I looked and saw the horrific sight. Instinctively, I told Mary not to look down. Israel was lying there screaming in pain and his head was resting in a puddle of blood. Even though the police were already there, no one was sitting with him. A small crowd had gathered; mostly other homeless adults. Everyone was at a loss, not knowing what to do. We decided to go down to where he was.

His legs were broken in several places. Miraculously, there was not much head trauma. He had a small cut that caused all the bleeding. However, it wasn’t too serious compared to his other injuries. Someone who witnessed his fall said that he landed on his head. We wanted to sit next to him but someone else took the initiative. She held his hands to comfort him. Then the ambulance came. They tried to set his broken leg in a way so that they could transport him. It took a while. Israel screamed in pain as they manipulated his leg. Finally, they left with him in the ambulance. He was transported to a hospital near our house. The commotion died down and all there was left was a puddle of blood and confusion. No one could understand why Israel jumped. No one believed that he was trying to comment suicide. Most likely, the police and the paramedics and even the doctors would think otherwise. Nevertheless, they don’t know Israel. They have never spoken to him. We have known him since he was 18 and now he is 24.

I wrote about celebrating his 18th birthday once*. It was the first and the last time we celebrated a birthday in the streets with cakes and all. We realized that after the first time that it provoked jealousy among the other children. Everyone began to feel resentful that there was no birthday party for them on their special day. We decided perhaps we needed to do things in a smaller scale and on more personal level. Regardless of this, we still believe that it was a good thing to celebrate his birthday then. Israel is a special young man. He doesn’t understand things like most of the other children. He dances to a different tune. Everyone knows that he is different but no one can put their finger on why.

I am not sure if we would get an answer from him if we asked him. I could speculate but I am not really in the mood to do it. It was quite tragic to see him in that state. I am grateful that he is alive. He sustained non-life threatening injuries. He will be fine in a few months time. However, the whole incident moved us. None of children, including us, knew what to make of it. Everyone was quiet. Something sacred has happened. We saw Life being manifested in a very dark circumstance. We saw Israel screaming and struggling to hang onto life even though he attempt to take a plunge into the abyss of death. The desire for Life prevailed this time. It was a gift. However, we wished it was presented in a different package.

I started this week reflecting about the passage in the gospel about the Transfiguration. It has always been a difficult episode to relate with our everyday life, especially in the streets with the children. It seems like an event in the gospel that is so distant from the reality of homelessness. I was tempted to skip this passage and move on to something else. However, strangely, this gospel passage became clearer in the light of this situation. I witnessed a young man who had a close encountered with death, then desperately tried to grasp life. He walked between these two realities all his life. However, when he saw death up close, he realized that he still desired life. He still had hope for his life. He did not want it all to end.

As I was standing there and witnessing Israel’s plight, I saw God’s image in Israel. He held within his person an aspect of God that perhaps only Israel can reflect. It is not something that I can explain away. It was just a reality that manifested itself. I saw it clearly and I did not want to this unique image to be erased from our existence permanently. Everyone who stood there shared this sentiment, albeit they won’t express it in the same manner.

The disciples saw in Jesus the fullest potential of humanity. The divine and human being were reconciled in the Transfiguration. It is the hidden desire of our souls. We want our lives to be connected with something higher and greater than what we are confronted with in this life. All sense of hopelessness stems out of this fear that our lives are insignificant. We need the divine Light to shine through us so that our true image of God will be reflected in the world. Then the disciples saw Jesus being transformed by the Light. They knew that this was a possibility. It was no longer just wishful thinking. The eternal can become part of our humanity.

It is no wonder that Peter did not want to leave the place. He wanted to secure this encounter for eternity. He did not want to return to his previous existence where nothing was certain; where the dreaded sense of loss and desperation was a constant threat. When I saw Israel lying there on a pool of blood, I wanted to turn away and be as far as possible from such pain and suffering. It was too overbearing. I would rather make my abode where humanity’s hope is fully manifested like in the Transfiguration. I did not want to be in the midst of pain and suffering.

The biblical story ends with a tragic statement. “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” This life transforming episode did not change the harsh reality of life. This encounter with the fullness of hope and life did not eradicate the unjust and cruel death awaiting our Lord. Life still goes on tragically. The disciples were reminded that nothing has changed in one sense. They still have to face the darkness. However, they have seen the Light. They have seen something to help them make sense of it all. This is their reward and compensation. There is reconciliation that awaits us together with all the pain and suffering. Humanity is not abandoned to the elements. The divine is waiting to embrace us with open arms and say, “You are my Beloved.”

We attempted to visit Israel several times at the hospital. Visiting the homeless sick is not an easy task. We need to have the right information like their birthday and mother’s name. Three attempts and none were successful. However, I believe that our next attempt will get us there. He is still under observation. He needs to go through several surgeries. I believe and pray that he will come through it all. We need to see the image of God imprinted in Israel’s soul. It brings joy to many. Maybe even to those who never realized it until the day they saw him pleading for his life. We need him in our lives.

You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:21-22

“Let you words be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37

Gabriel fainted.

He was talking to us. We noticed something was strange. He was behaving quite erratically. Initially, we thought it was the paint thinner that he was sniffing. Almost all the children and teens were sniffing it at that time. Unfortunately, there was something more to it. Gabriel has been having health problems since the end of last year. It started with a high fever and progressive weight loss. He gradually recovered from this only to suffer a convulsion shortly after. He was taken to the hospital but nothing came out of it. He is homeless and the homeless don’t receive the same treatment. Ever since then, he has adamantly refused to go to see a doctor. I don’t blame him. We have seen the treatment he received there. The homeless are just people that society feels are not worth receiving any help. Doctors don’t want to deal with them. They are diagnosed without any examination. Their health complains are never taken seriously. Besides, they are not a priority in anybody’s list. This is the world we live in even though this country identifies itself as Christian. It claims to have said “Yes to Jesus”, at the same time, it is constantly saying, “No” to His little ones.

Before Gabriel fainted, he was telling us about his latest attempt to get an education. He enrolled in evening classes. He is 19 and illiterate. He went to school when he was young. He needed extra attention with learning to read. His teacher claimed that he had problems with his vision. She convinced him that he wasn’t going to be able to read unless he got a pair of new glasses. His mother could not afford to pay for it. Consequently, Gabriel stopped going to school. In the neighborhood where he lived, a life of crime is a daily temptation especially for young teens with no prospects and education. Gabriel got involved in criminal activities but it never suited him. He left his home and lived in the streets. It was the better option for him. Unfortunately, crime was still a temptation.

Since December, Gabriel has been venturing out. He has been trying out new things. The night school is one of these. Unfortunately, he was sharing with us that he disliked it. His fellow students have cell phones and dressed well. They were literate and more advanced than him in their studies. He felt like a complete outsider. He felt small and insignificant. He decided to quit school. We were trying to convince to seek for a better alternative when he started slurring. Then he slowly closed his eyes and slouched his body. I managed to grab hold of him before he hit the ground. No one noticed us even though we were in a crowded area in the entrance of a busy subway station.

We called out the other teens to help us. This caught the attention of the passers-by. Soon a small crowd gathered around us. Mary quickly went out to get some water for Gabriel. I was trying to see if he was conscious and able to say something. Suddenly the floodgates of unsolicited medical opinions opened. Everyone became a doctor armed with a diagnosis. Gabriel was coming in and out of conscious and I was trying to talk to him. However, well-intentioned people were drowning his voice with their comments. I wished that everyone would just be quiet for a moment. It is a mystery why complete strangers think that they have answers without knowing the questions. A woman dressed in a nurse-like attire gave us some advice. I asked her if she was a nurse and she never said affirmed it. She used an applicative on her cell phone and checked his pulse. She said that he was fine. However, he was obviously in a daze and completely disoriented. Gabriel mumbled a few words which was lost in the midst of the brouhaha. Mary brought some water. Someone commented loudly that giving water was the most dangerous thing to do. This further confused Gabriel. He refused the water. In the meantime, no one was calling the medical emergency attendants of the subway station. Eventually Gabriel started slowly recovering his color. Another woman brought him a sandwich to eat. The same person who said water was dangerous. Then the pseudo nurse turned her attention from Gabriel and started making disparaging comments about the homeless children and teens. She said that all these children do is sniff paint thinner and rob people. She started even warning Mary that they were going to rob her as soon as they get the chance. I just really wanted her to leave. She was aggravating the situation. Then the same woman proceeded to show the sandwich woman all the children and that the bottles they had was paint thinner. Now they became social commentators and made some superficial observations of the state of things. Fortunately, Gabriel gradually recovered and the first thing he wanted was the water that Mary bought. He grabbed it and gulped everything down to its final drop. The sandwich woman seeing that Gabriel had recovered decided to address him authoritatively. “Young man,” she said, “There is only one thing you need and do you what it is?” I cringed. I knew the words that would proceed from her. Gabriel was still trying to get his bearing and the woman gave up waiting for his answer and finished what she wanted to say, “Jesus! All you need Jesus. He is the answer to everything.” Then she turned around and went on her way. The spectacle was over. Everyone left leaving us with Gabriel and the rest of the teens.

So many words were spoken in one incident and none of them were really helpful. People were trying “help” someone in need but their prejudices and self-righteousness dominated their actions. They spent more time talking negatively about the children and teens than trying to get help for the boy. Not even in a moment as such, they could refrain from passing unfair judgments on these children and teens. Gabriel was not even given the chance to suffer in peace. No doubt, he needs a lot of things in life; more compassionate doctors, an educational system that is more concerned with educating, a home where it is safe and secure for him, and the list can go on and on. Saying that all you need is Jesus and then walking away doesn’t bear any resemblance to Jesus or His message. It seems like taking the Lord’s name in vain. It is like saying, “Yes” to Jesus and then “No” to be His instrument of Love to those who are in need.

I can understand why Jesus said that when we call our brother or sister, “You fool” we will be liable to the hell of fire. People designate all kinds of derogative terms for our children and teens. They have grown accustomed to calling them these things so much so that they cannot see their humanity anymore. We also taught by the world to call people who commit crimes as criminals, murderers, robbers, drug dealers…as if this is their nature. In reality, they are just people like you and me that have committed a crime. It is not their nature to be a criminal. To call someone a fool or criminal is to reject their humanity and regard them as sub-human. It is murdering their humanity. Without a doubt, society will continue to address them as such. Jesus told us that our spirituality is to be superior than that of the Pharisees. The people who gathered around Gabriel wanted to help but they still could not see him as a human being. He was able to talk and even say what was happening to him. Unfortunately, no one was interested in listening to him.

For me, the most disturbing part of the incident was the woman proclaiming the Name of Jesus and then walking away. It reduces our Lord to some magical spell or product. When we say, “Yes” to Jesus we accept a sacred task. We receive His Name which is sacred. It requires us to speak out in His Name with fear and trembling. It is a name that sums up the definition of Love that many desperately seek in this world. Once we speak His Name, it is our responsibility to be the instrument of His Love. If we are not willing to do this, then it would be better if we just say, “No” to Him. It would be better than saying “Yes” and then living a “No”. This is something that is not from God. Jesus has told us exactly where this comes from.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14-16

Someone put up a picture of the place where we meet the children. I didn’t recognize it at first. Everything looked perfect in it. The colors were gorgeous. The Cathedral stood majestical in the background surrounded by palm trees with people scurrying to their activities. It was a serene but lifeless photograph. Everything that did not please the eye of the photographer was carefully removed. The homeless people that congregated in the square were carefully eradicated from the scenery. There was no sign of the countless children and their pets in it. The poor people sell their simple wares to make enough money to eat. They were not given a role in this picture. The picture spotlighted things that society wants and those who actually call this square their only home were evicted from the picture. The world does not have the Light but it only carries a spotlight to shine on things it thinks are important. In the end, it produces an image that is void of life and love.

The reality that the picture avoided greeted as we returned to the streets after a month of absence. The first thing that greeted us was the chaos. There was movement and noise everywhere. There are shoe shiners. People selling things that no one really needs or wants. Preachers yelling at the top of their voice about a God who constantly wants to send someone to hell. Homeless people sprawled about almost everywhere. Mentally-ill people having arguments with themselves or their imaginary enemies. People pulling their recycle carts filled with card boxes. It is not postcard scenery but we love it here, the mess and all. We don’t want a whitewashed image of this place. It is what it is and the gospel is still powerful here. This is all that matters. Where the gospel is alive, there is life. Most people just see darkness and chaos here. However, we are called to be His Light. We are to shine so that the world can see that there is true Life in Praça da Sé.

These were things going through my mind and they were interrupted when a homeless man whom I did not find familiar looked up at me and said, “How are you, Long-haired?” I have a nickname in the streets. Only those who belong here have a nickname. I am part of this environment now. It is God’s gift to me. I smiled at him and acknowledged his presence. Then some of the children came to hug us but not all of them. We have varying degrees of friendship with the children. The new ones are still getting to know us. Maybe our brief absence caused a momentary lapse of memory on their part. It is okay. We are here to stay. Time will eventually build the necessary bridges. These children came here looking for something. They don’t know exactly what they are looking for at the moment. However, the Light will eventually reveal their true heart’s desire. The ones who are close to us asked about our trip. Well, they did not really know what to ask for exactly because they have no notion or concept what it means to take a trip abroad. We brought some simple souvenirs. Something small, just enough for them to know that we thought about them.

Erica and Kawana came up and hugged us. This is something recent. The girls are usually more reserved. However, it seemed like we managed to gain their trust. They have opened up a space in their hearts for us. Danyel saw us and came up to give us a long hug. We sat down and talked for a long time. He told us that he was trying to stay in a shelter. He was thinking about enrolling in a school although he wasn’t too keen about it. Something is going on in his mind. He is going through that time where he is considering about his future. I jokingly asked him if he missed us. He responded without any hesitation, “This is why I immediately came to you when I saw you. I haven’t seen you for a while.” It was nice to be missed. It was good for us to be back. This is the place where we see things clearly. It is the place of the Light. Its warmth comforts our souls. It brings joy and love into our lives.

Pedro finally summed the courage to approach us. He says that he is 10 years old. I don’t see why he would lie about his age. However, he looks like he is 8. He is physically underdeveloped. He has seen us a few times. Today, he wanted to talk with us. He asked us if we were coming to the streets everyday again. I said yes. Then, he told us that he wanted to do something with us one day. It was his way of saying that I want to have a relationship with us. Maybe not today but someday. It is okay. The Light is always shining. He will be able to find his way through the darkness. For today, he allowed his Light to shine into our souls.

One of the major drug dealers in the area walked passed us with his very pregnant wife. He was wearing shorts and pulling a string attached to a big toy truck. Definitely not the kind of image of someone like him that is represented in the movies. No one asked about his truck. He was pulling it around just like any other kid. Maybe he bought it for someone. Nevertheless, it just gave a us glimpse of this young man’s spirit. He was a child lost in the world of crime and hopelessness. He found a truck. Maybe he is hoping that his unborn child would have the childhood that he never had. Hopefully, the child will be able to guide him to the Light to find his way out of hopelessness.

Being the Light in Praça da Sé (The Square of The Cathedral) means not being afraid to face all the harsh reality of life represented in this place. The world thinks that this place would be beautiful if it wasn’t for the people who make this place their home. However, the Light shines brightly so that the world can see the beauty in these people that society overlooks. So much is revealed when the true Light shines. Perhaps somethings are painful when exposed. However, it is necessary to examine the wounds and rejections in the Light. It is the first step for the healing process. For this, we need salt. I believe that this too is a role Jesus has graciously bestowed upon all who choose to follow Him. With the salt nearby, the Light becomes the good news for those who are weary and heavy laden. Salt and Light are essential ingredients to draw a beautiful picture of those who are often overlooked and evicted out of sterile postal card images of cities.

Simeon took the infant Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation,which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Luke 2 :28-32

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. Luke 2:36-37

Our present bishop once told us that you know you are called to serve in a particular place when you can see Jesus clearly in the everyday things, or rather, things or acts that people usually overlook. I remember these words as if they were spoken today. Back then, I was at a point of decision. I could return to the ministry to the homeless children or remain in Florida as a parish priest. I enjoyed being a priest. I served in the ministry for 7 years. I had many precious and beautiful moments sharing people’s most joyous as well as vulnerable moments. I felt a strong connection with the divine each time the Eucharist was celebrated. I loved preaching, it gave me an opportunity to reflect on the things God was doing in our midst. I enjoyed the hours we spent together in our Bible studies. All these gracious episodes sustained me weekly. However, I could not see God in the day to day things of parish life. Sometimes I dreaded them. Most of the time, my soul was restless. On the other hand, I don’t mind doing the most ordinary and mundane things in the streets everyday; like sitting in the hot sun or cold weather waiting for the children and teens, waiting hours without any interactions with the children and even walking to the place where work. I sense the presence of our Lord in all of these things.

The prophets Simeon and Anna are the main characters of the gospel reading above, albeit, the narrative is essentially about the Presentation of Jesus. Anna was a widow who could have remarried and raised a family like most women in her time. If she had done this, she would have been just as fulfilled her role in society like women in her time. However, she chose a different path. She decided to spend her life in the temple to pray and wait for hope to manifest itself. She placed herself in the ideal place to see this. It does not make her superior or any better than the women who chose a common life. Ana chose what she chose to do because it helped her see God clearly in her life.

Simeon was a prophet whose only claim to fame are resumed in 3 verses in the New Testament. We don’t know anything about him beyond this beautiful hymn. His prophesy was understood and appreciated by only two people, Mary and Joseph. The same could be said of Ana’s prophetic ministry. They spend their whole lives to prophesy to just two people. Maybe others around heard their words but it did not have the desired effect as it did with the Holy Family. The world would not understand this. For it, their lives would be considered wasted. However, it made perfect sense for Simeon and Ana. The ways of God are completely contrary to the mindset of this world.

Some days, nothing happens. We don’t consider these days as wasted. We never consider anything as wasted or lost time when we are in the streets. Every moment can be and is used by God to communicate something to us and sometimes even to the children. Every day is a step towards discovering something special about the gospel of our Lord even on bad days when something tragic or disturbing happens. Honestly, I never felt this way in any place except in the streets while sitting on the ground that should have been cleaned several months ago. In our recent visit to Florida, some kind people told us that we are special people. This could be read in many ways. Maybe they think we are special because we are crazy. Maybe they think we are saintly. They said it with a smile; I hoping the latter is their intent.

Anna and Simeon, however, would have rejected such compliments. Therefore, it is only right for us to do the same. I don’t mean to say that we consider ourselves their equals. We rather think of them as our role models. Whereas we are grateful for people for their high consideration of us but it would be wrong of us to accept their compliments. We walk in the path that these evangelical prophets have opened for us. We share their conviction. Ana and Simeon acted in self-interest. However, they were not selfish. They had a burning desire to see God act in their midst. This came from God. The gospel tells us both prophets were sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. They allowed the Holy Spirit to modify their desires and values. They realize that their earthly desires cannot fulfill them instead they embraced the things of the Spirit and found fulfillment.

Likewise, we are here for self-interest too. We are seeking fulfillment. The voice of the Spirit has told us that it has something to do with the homeless children and teens. Our children and teens also listen to the Spirit. This is why they are in the streets. God chooses the strangest places to manifest Himself. However, there is difference between us and the children. They have a hard time trying to discern the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit. I am not implying that we know how to listen to God’s voice clearly. Discerning His voice is not a technique that one can master. The Holy Spirit speaks freely but often times softly. If we are unaware of His desire to communicate to us, we might not know to listen. Our children don’t believe that God wants to speak to them. We have the assurance that the Word of God is always present among the little ones of this world. It was our honor to announce to our children that God desires to speak them and has spoken to them many times. They hear His voice and sometimes they get confused.

An older teen told us that once she attempted to rob a woman immediately after she was released from the juvenile detention center. It was something that she has always done. As she was robbing this poor fear-stricken woman who frantically handed her wallet and cell phone to her, something happened to the teen. Suddenly, she felt a strange sensation in her spirit. She felt a strong repulsion for her criminal actions. She handed back everything to her surprised victim and told her that she changed her mind. The woman was confused and left the scene. We will never know the things that went through the woman’s mind. We asked the teen what happened. What made her feel such repulse for her actions? She said maybe she just matured. However, if maturity can summon virtue in people, then this world will be in a better shape than it finds itself. For us, it seems clear that this young woman heard the voice of the Holy Spirit. She is beginning to change her ways or least she wants to find a better way for her life. She doesn’t realize that she is responding to the voice of God. We believe that it is our privilege to help her in the coming years to discern and follow the Voice of God.

Mother Mary had been hearing God’s voice for years regarding Jesus. There must have been times when she doubted it. The prophets Anna and Simeon did not say anything that she did not know already. They just helped to confirm it. In a way, this is the only thing we can do for these children. We are in a place where we know for sure God speaks to us. Out of this assurance, we can only confirm what God is already speaking to the hearts of our children and teens. I believe that the things we hear from the Holy Spirit also confirm what many of our readers have been hearing from the soft and gentle voice of God.