LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING

Lobusta, Mikaela S.

July 20, 2015

1P

Dean Ulan

1. The Drummer Boy by the Flagpole

A Bedan by the Flagpole
Ever since I heard the story of the young Bedans who died in a plane
crash, Ive realized that life is truly uncertain. Its uncertainty can make all of us
worry. Our lives are like stories weve written chapter by chapter but we do not
know its happily ever-after or even tragic ending. We do not know what tomorrow
will bring; tomorrow might just be another day but well never know if tomorrow
will be our last day.
Ive learned two things from this mysteriousness of life. One is to be more
faithful to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ, by being more prayerful and having
a deeper understanding of the words of Christ by actively participating in masses
and Theology and Benedictine Spirituality classes. I know that praying is very
powerful that it can help us overcome any problem that we may encounter in life,
it can protect us and our love ones from any kind of harm and it can guide us into
being closer with God. Second, it inspires me to exert my best efforts in living my
life to the fullest. For me, doing simple acts of kindness such being a good
daughter, a diligent student, a true friend, a helping neighbor and a steward of
the Lord helps me into achieving a purposeful life. Simply, these two things are to
live a life of prayer and work.
I salute the Bedan Community for honoring the four boy scouts, who died
in a plane crash for it inspired Bedans to live a life centered in prayer and work.
Life may not end in happily ever-afters but our faith in the Lord will forever be our
guide in writing our life stories centered in prayer and work.

2. San Beda as a School of the Lords Service

How San Beda College changed my Faith to the Lord
Sometimes when tragic things happen or when we have problems that are too difficult to
solve, we question God. Why did God allow this to happen? Is there really a God? Even comforting
words such as this is the will of God or God will take care of you brings no comfort at all because
of the immeasurable sadness we feel. The pain and hurt that we feel in our hearts seems
insurmountable if not for the strong spiritual foundation that weve learned from our Familys,
Communitys and Schools Catholic formation. Here is the story of how San Beda College Rizal and
Manila changed and strengthened my faith to the Lord.
When I was young, I found attending Holy Mass every Sunday as just routine and Christian
Living and Values Education subjects as boring. Coming from a Catholic Family, I am obliged to
attend those Masses and studying at a Catholic School, I was required to attend those classes. I
always had my doubts regarding my faith. Back then, I always thought that why would I attend those
classes and masses when I do not even see or hear the Lord in my life?; why would I want another
person (teacher or preacher) to dictate to me how my faith should be?; why do we need to have faith
in the Lord?
Back in 2007, my family and I were looking for quality schools for my high school studies and
one of the choices was San Beda College of Rizal. I had no idea about the school except that some
of my relatives graduated from there. My father told me that one of the best years in his life was in
San Beda College-Manila. With those words, I was encouraged to study in San Beda College-Rizal.
Sadly, I did not pass some of the parts in the entrance exam, but I still wanted to be a Bedan. So, I
asked for a reconsideration and they agreed but I was put under academic probation. On the first
few weeks of our classes, I was shocked with the amount of reading assignments, research papers,
recitations and projects that were given to us. Sadly, I had to give up my time for my hobbies and
leisure activities to manage those school works.
In Theology class, our professor taught us about the lives of St. Benedict and his student, St.
Bede, who lived a life of Ora et Labora (prayer and work). I was really inspired by their lives and
the power of prayer. From that day onwards, I started to pray to the Lord hoping that I can prove that
I am a Bedan, I can stay as a Bedan and will forever be a Bedan. That is why I started to pray like
never before, I prayed most the time and of course, I also, worked hard. As the days passed by, little
miracles started to happen. My test results and project scores were getting better. As I graduated in
San Beda-Rizal, I managed to utilize my time for prayer and work.
In 2011, I started my studies in San Beda-Manila, as a Legal Management major. From my
Theology and Benedictine classes and Recollections and Retreats, Ive learned the importance of
service and sacrifice. Ive learned that service is the word of God in Action and that sacrifice is
learning to give up what you have for the happiness of others. After all, no one becomes poor by
giving.
Now, I am currently a law student in the College of Law of San Beda College-Manila. It is
only the first few weeks of our law studies but I am already feeling tired but I know that I can do this
because through Christ anything is possible. And I surely know, that through a Benedictine way of
life of prayer and work; I can and I will survive law school.
All of the lessons and values that Ive learned from all my Theology and Benedictine Spirituality
classes and Retreats and Recollections had strengthened my faith in the Lord. Faith is something
intangible that cannot be read in books or memorize in notes but it is a value that can be strengthen
through practice and experience. Truly, San Beda College is an institution of the Lords Service
because of the richness of its Benedictine culture making all of us, Bedans, closer to the Lord.

3. Reflection on the Homily

Last Tuesday, we all attended a Holy Mass in which the Homily is focused
mainly on listening with the ear of your heart. While listening to Fr. Tumbalis
words of wisdom, I found it amazing whenever, I thought of how smart and
powerful God as He created us, human beings. How He thought that we are to
be given a mind, a heart and a soul. How He imagined what would our face be or
how He knew that our bodies would serve as His temple.
As the Sermon progresses, the most important lesson Ive learned from
the Homily is to see beyond ones physical attributes by disregarding our
prejudices or biases to others for God has given us eyes not to insult but to look
beyond situations, a mouth not to criticize but to speak the truth and a pair of
ears not to be insensitive but to hear voice in pain. Having those in mind, this will
enable us to listen with the ears of our hearts. When we listen, we learn to be
more accepting of others for it is in listening that we can begin to touch the hearts
of others. Also, listening with the ears of our hearts, helps us experience intimacy
in prayer and lets our hearts be touched by God. Furthermore, our life of prayer
and work does not only include listening with the ears of our hearts but we should
serve the Lord and our neighbors for God has given us a set of hands not to
punish sinners but to always give a helping hand.
Our body is truly magnificent for it is the temple of God that every part of it,
has its own beautiful purpose to serve the Lord. Thus, we should take good care
of it and use it well for good.