[Blue Zones] Strong faith? It needs attention

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We talk about physical fitness, mental fitness, so we should as well nurture our spiritual fitness

The Blue Zones have held my attention for many months now and I have been following and practicing its basic tenets: eat wisely (check), move naturally (check), have a sense of purpose through community (check), and a strong faith (hmmm… work in progress). 

In Blue Zone Loma Linda, California, residents live a decade longer than most Americans and the community is strongly united in their faith. Dan Beuttner, Blue Zone founder says, “It doesn’t matter what religion we are, faith and prayer is something that is available to all of us.”

Much as I want to attend Mass regularly, I am discouraged by the oftentimes rambling homilies and the bad acoustics. Over dinner with friends, I bemoaned this lack of inspiring homilies and was told that homilies depend on the location and the make-up of the congregation. This is pretty obvious, of course, since Mass, indeed, is held in many dialects. But in Manila? Homilies are subject to zoning as well?

I have been searching for a smaller, more intimate chapel much like the chapel from my old school. Maybe it’s me, the delinquent church-goer who needs to go back to that point in time where prayer really meant something to me. Or maybe I feel guilty because in school, we had two report cards: one for grades and one for Mass attendance with a check mark for attendance, and a star for having received communion.

I read that one must go back to the time you thought you lost your connection with God. I think it was in the 60s when they eliminated the communion rail and the priest faced the congregation. Okay, maybe not that long ago, but close enough.

My sister is in town for her usual Manila months. You can be sure I will be in Church every Sunday. At least while my Jiminy Cricket Eucharistic minister sister is in town. During one Ash Wednesday, I said, “This ash feels itchy. I hope I’m not allergic.”

“You’re lucky you don’t burn on the spot!”

Nevertheless, I am blessed with a deeply religious and supportive family. My mother was awarded the Dame of Saint Sylvester for her devotion to our Lady of Piat and support for the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao. My younger brother has been a Eucharistic minister for over 25 years and my 2 out of my 4 children are devout Catholics (well 50% isn’t a bad batting average, tell that to God! I can almost hear Him say). I’m the weakest link!

My late husband Ilkka converted to Catholicism after the accidental death of his 16-year old son Rurik. May they both rest in peace.

We received dozens of mass cards when Rurik died and this was the turning point for Ilkka. He said, as a diplomat, who lives on words and documents, receiving one that says they will pray for the soul of Rurik in perpetuity is a powerful statement, written in black and white.

“Can you imagine Nanay,” he said to me. “In perpetuity. Not just ashes after death. But hope and prayers in perpetuity.”

I think about that often. Maybe too often.

Like all the other aspects of the Blue Zones, faith needs attention. We talk about physical fitness, mental fitness, so we should as well nurture our spiritual fitness.

I thank God that I have all these angels rallying around me bringing me closer to that moment in time, looking up at that mural of Our Holy Mother’s Ascension in school when I felt that deep connection with God.

Then, a first cousin suddenly died, and I find myself attending Mass three days in a row with eloquent priests who delivered powerful homilies despite the crackling microphone. A friend once said, “Would God send a less talented orator to you?” 

Okay, I get the message. A work in progress. Progress being the operative word. Thou shalt keep holy the Lord’s day. A small ask for the blessings we have received in this life. – Rappler.com

Bing Caballero returns to the literary scene after a long hiatus. She may be remembered for Ishmael Bernal’s Broken Marriage (Urian best screenplay with Jose Carreon) and her Palanca Award for Poetry Songs in Three Continents. The column’s name was inspired by Dan Beuttner’s work on the world’s blue zones.