SALUTE TO A PROPHET

His Eminence  The Most Reverend Tomas A. Millamena
Obispo Maximo 10th                                     Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI)

 

In many names, you were called:

Mentor
by those who claimed
you have helped them nurtured and
be matured by their faith

Theologian
for your ability to discern and translate
the IFI’s faith into a lived-ministry
from spoken and written words into actions

Leader
for taking your flock with care and nurture
amidst crises, factions, confusions and self-interests
you make your presence be felt

Peace-builder
for you wholeheartedly understand with depth
the genuine work for peace is based on justice
not just on tables, papers nor amendments

Ecumenical person
for crossing bridges and cutting the gaps
with and among Christian Churches
other faiths and those who have no religion

Revolutionary
for your innovative attitude
risk taker and unending outlook
to the known and the unknown for others

Activist
transforms words into engagements
from your office into streets and mountains
your soft words into daggers of concrete walls

So many attributes afforded to you, Your Eminence
church leader, ecumenical forerunner, audacious writer
street parliamentarian, activist by heart
peacemaker, Third Depository Party among others

Who really are you, OM TAM 10th?

You are an ordinary person like the rest
who dreamt of a better, secure, just, peaceful world
to be lived by many, NEVER of the “blessed” few
sharing the abundance Creator God bestowed

You are an ordinary father like the rest
who longed to be with his family but cannot do his best
though your vocation had made you father to all
your presence with your love ones remained a wish

You are an ordinary man from Antique
who in your lifetime was able to make
so many extraordinary things, a total bliss for many
where others, cannot even take the first step

You were a soft-spoken one who roars the world
gets heard and bites the mighty with your pens,
speeches, sermons and other writings
really created and generated a change

I want to describe you, in just one word: PROPHET
a prophet in today’s modern world
called to serve, you responded more and beyond
had touched many lives and influenced a million

We are fortunate knowing you in our lifetime
grateful of the minute spent with you
a pose that brings sweet memory recalled
great leader like the rest but unlike you: a prophet

In loud voice, we thank you for your life and
service offered to the Iglesia Filipina Independiente
we are humbled by your example and presence
in silence, allow us to offer SALUTATIONS from our hearts

 

Revd Erahvilla M. Maga-Cabillas
IFI UP-Parish of the Holy Cross
Diocese of Greater Manila

June 13, 2014
5:00 am

Note: OM TAM X ordained me to priesthood on May 6, 2001 at the IFI National Cathedral with Rev. Rex RB Reyes, Jr, preaching.