(W)Hole hearted

"We're going to see a concert on Saturday," I told the kids while driving on our way home. "Is there an Act Two, Mommy?", Abraham asked. I smiled and replied, "No Anak (son), it's not a stage play, it's a concert." "So whose concert is it? how long will it take? where will it be?". And here's Lemuel's remark,"It's gonna be boring, can we just stay at home?"...

The kids have never been to a concert before and I felt so thankful that this is the first concert they've seen, a very wholesome one, especially for kids their age. To spark their interest, I called them infront of the monitor and showed them the Levites concert site. Both of them can't believe that the performers are all full-pledged priests from the Philippines. "Are they really priests, huh Mommy?"asked Bulilit (youngest). "Yes they are." There, I got their attention and they now have the interest.

With two curious boys we headed straight to the Wilshire Ebell Theater on 8th Street last Saturday. The venue, with so hospitable ushers and usherettes, is just perfect for the affair - not too big not too small - our seats were equally perfect as well. The mostly filipino crowd, with one or two whites and few hispanic audience represent all age groups, from little children barely learning to walk (no sitter for the night?), teens, us (the youth of old age), and a handful of well dressed retirees.

The concert started a little past eight with an invocation song "Our Father" sung by a cute girl of seven, so i guessed. Followed by the singing of the national anthems (Philippines then the US). The teen band called "Forgotten Fate" who frontacted did well for their first public appearance. And here comes the stars of the night - The Levites.

Fathers all: Mulong (Bass Guitarist), Nick (Vocalist), Mar (Keyboard), Dindo (Drums), Dennis (Lead Guitarist), Danny (Vocalist)

Absolutely fabulous performers, not enough superlative adjective to describe their performance that night. Everyone is just so outstanding and they carried themselves well - so well, you won't have a hint they are fishers of men first.

There were a lot of highlight in the concert, and one which we enjoyed most is called "the script", where Fathers Dindo, Nick and Mulong delivered their supposedly scripts conveying the concert's theme, in different moods like being cool and serious (drama - Ate Shawie and Ate Guy style), and dull.

And there's this one visual presentation (yes, the night was filled with meaningful visuals too) which started with a very cute narration of the Humpty Dumpty story (my youngest enjoyed this part a lot) and eventually relating Humpty's very fragile character to us, humans. Of how we easily crack when we fall, break, in times of trials and hardships. The message was effectively communicated through a medley of powerful and moving songs which describes the things that preoccupies our lives, money, fame, pleasure, selffishness, to name a few.

The theme is being "Hole hearted" - true enough, everyone of us have that empty space in our hearts which we try to fill up with things we think will make as whole, but in the end, we still feel empty, like we're always lacking something.

Borrowing Father Danny's words, "Can we fill-up a bucket full of holes?" I and a couple of others said "No." But, yes we can...as Father Danny continued, "if we immerse it in water, if we cling onto the one who can fill up the empty space in our hearts" GOD is.

And so I rocked, clapped my hands, danced the night away...but the message of the concert was ingrained deep in my thoughts, and in my heart - instantly making me whole.

As for the Levites, God's chosen few, intruments of peace and holiness, I salute you all. May God prosper your projects. It is very holy indeed to think of the welfare of your fellow retired (sick most of them) priests. God bless you and keep you healthy for many more concerts. By the ways, don't you think it's time to groom relievers to carry on the mission? (just kidding...you all look young anyways! )



Right by the parking lot, I asked the kids, "so did you have fun?" "Yes!" (I predicted this while the concert is going on...contrary to their initial reactions) they said. "Are they coming back Mommy?" (they asked because from the website it said, this may be the Levites' last tour because they're getting old). "Why? you guys want to hear them sing again?"..."Yes!"

(and thanks to Tida for this experience!)

Sanctity, then, is not giving up the world. It is exchanging the world. It is a continuation of that sublime transaction of the Incarnation in which Christ says to man: "You give Me your humanity, I will give you My divinity.You give Me your time, I will give you My eternity. You give Me your slavery, I will give you My freedom. You give Me your death, I will give you My life. You give Me your nothingness, I will give you My all." And the consoling thought throughout this whole transforming process that it does not require much time to make us saints; it requires only much love. – Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen