The ordinariness of things
NOW that we are days away from January 1, it is time to reflect on the real frictions of daily living. In the seasons of life, people have the tendency to magnify the “major” celebrations. There is a reason why we value the turning points in time say the beginning of the year or Christmas. It’s part of the fanfare we need or shall we say the spices of existence.
Least we should forget, though, that a bigger fraction of life is “ordinary” and it is in the ordinariness of things that greater meanings are also encountered and felt. So let’s allow ourselves to be seized by the ordinary.
Truth be told, the “ordinary”is no ordinary. In fact it is in the ordinariness of what we do that we see the bigger picture of extraordinariness. This idea or worldview is found in the writings of great men such as the founder of Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei. From him we learn that “ordinary tasks” are where we encounter the Holy. The challenges we confront everyday are in the greater scheme of things sanctifying.
The Jesuit writer John La Farge also speaks of the “the ordinary manner.” But he is not original on this. It was from the founder of the Society of Jesus, St. Ignatius of Loyola, that we first learn that “all things” and that means that which are encountered everyday that always provide the basic context of all human experience including God. “Whatever one is doing, that which makes you most alive that is where God i s.”
It is in the day-to-day grind of things that what is truly best in us is revealed. How we respond to things especially those that spontaneously come along our way reveals our real element. It is easy to speak of great resolutions and make promises when everyone is in hype. Many of the promises that are made in grand ceremonies end up as mere words devoid of substantiation. It is not the wedding vow that makes married life happy but the actual lived experience of the ones who promised to share a life till death separates them.
The same is the case with people who have made a religious profession. Their vows are not in any way magical. It is not the vows in-themselves that would efficaciously transform the person but how such vows are lived in the actual ministry of presence and loving service.
The closest alternate facility, Clark International Airport in Pampanga, was still operational as of 8 a.m. Monday, January 13, 2020, but several flights were cancelled or rescheduled.
Trains in Metro Manila are still operating, but there is no air-conditioning and the windows are cl osed .
Classes in all levels and work in government offices, except in frontline disaster response agencies, were suspended in affected areas Monday, Malacañang announced before dawn Monday.
Financial markets were closed while banks were encouraged to exercise discretion in ensuring the safety and welfare of their employees.
Some private companies in affected areas are allowing their employees to either work from home or take an emergency leave. The Palace also encouraged the private sector to suspend work.
As early as Sunday night, January 12, pharmacies and other retail outlets in affected areas have run out of N95 masks, a more effective protective device against airborne particles.
As of 8 a.m. Monday, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Batangas reported that a total of 2,534 affected families, or 13,883 individuals, have been evacuated from the vicinity of Taal Volcano.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday urged total evacuation from Taal Volcano Island and areas within a 14-kilometer radius from the main crater.
These areas are at high risk to pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami, Phivolcs warned in an advisory issued Sunday.
Alert Level 4 has been raised over Taal Volcano, which means that hazardous eruption is imminent within hours or days.
In an advisory as of 8 a.m. Monday, Phivolcs said phreatic explosions began at 1 p.m. Sunday and progressed into magmatic eruption at 2:49 p.m. that lasted until 4:28 a.m. Monday.
“This magmatic eruption is characterized by weak lava fountaining accompanied by thunder and flashes of lightning,” Phivolcs said.
As of 5 a.m. Monday, the Philippine Seismic Network has recorded 75 volcanic earthquakes in the area. Of these, 32 were felt with intensities ranging from Intensity II to V in parts of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.
“Such intense activity probably signifies continuous magmatic intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity,” Phivolcs said.
As of 8:30 a.m. Monday, officials of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) were still assessing the situation at the NAI A.
In a statement, airport officials said resumption of flight operations depend on the state of ash clouds within the NAIA aerodrome as well as the ash fall along the runways and taxiways.
Airplanes will be allowed to land and take off only when the airspace and runways are clear of volcanic debris. As soon as ash stops falling from the sky, the ash fall will have to be washed off the runways and taxiways before flights are allowed to resume. (MVI/ SunStar Philippines)