The Gospel Stand

October 26, 2026, the 30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

An ordinary Sunday Mass with an extraordinary moment.

I can’t recall whether it was before or after the Mass that Dcn. Carlo handed me a cross souvenir from Manila.  At first, I thought it came from him, but it turned out that it was from Dcn. Mark because I wasn’t able to attend the installation of Primate Ariel.  I sent him a thank you message after Mass to express my appreciation.

During the homily, I gazed at the altar, and the Gospel stand caught my attention because of an image I seemed to see, even though there was none for it was only plain wood.

At first, I ignored it but I couldn’t stop wondering what it was because I couldn’t figure it out.  It looked like an abstract image to me.  What I saw stayed my mind, though I couldn’t explain why.  I don’t know what it meant.  I simply sketched what I saw.

I uttered a general prayer because I sensed something meaningful in what I had seen.  I asked God to reveal its meaning because it simply didn’t make sense to me.  I heard no answer or perhaps I wasn’t able to grasp it at that time.

On October 29, 2025, I made another sketch and even posted it on my fb account.  Nobody responded my request but it’s fine.  Will see in the next few days if I can get an answer.

Then on November 9, 2025, the image became clearer to me.  During the homily, I sketched it again, this time with greater clarity but I still wonder what it would look like in reality.

Days later, I was watching news when I saw a scene that looked exactly like the ones in my sketches.  It came to my realization that what I saw was not just a simple house near the beach or some kind of a village but possibly a warning sign of typhoon destruction. 

 
After my two sketches, Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on November 3 and made eight landfalls in Visayas and Palawan.  When the last sketch became clearer, Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong) struck our nation most especially on the Northern part of Luzon on November 9.  It was a back-to-back series of typhoons that caused widespread destruction, flooding and displacement.
 
I was stunned when I saw the footage on television.  I didn’t see it coming and it truly broke my heart.  To be candid, I was heartbroken. If only I had perceived it earlier.  Sigh.  If I remember it correctly, at that time, my prayer was focused more on Vietnam as both nations experienced the same.    
 
Why am I only writing it this time?   I tried-many times-to write it but proved futile.  I became busy but it never left my mind.  Everything is still vivid.  Do I still see the image in the Gospel stand to this day?  To be honest, only its trace. 
 
Then why did I see it in the Gospel stand?  Do you have an answer?
 
Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”  “Forever O Lord, your word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89)
 
No wonder I was given a cross souvenir the first time I saw the image in the Gospel stand.  No wonder the Gospel at that time spoke about prayer (Luke 18:9-14).  And no wonder the Gospel of my last sketch spoke about the resurrection.  Coincidence?  I don’t think so.  everything has a reason and purpose.  
 
For me, what happened is a reminder that no matter what happens, God’s word still stands and Jesus saves.  The cross can testify to that.