Weaving is defined in the dictionary as the act or process of forming (cloth) by interlacing strands (as of yarn). In weaving, there has to be lots of threads, because obviously we cannot weave with just one thread at hand. This has been the image which dominates my consciousness as I recall the wonderful encounter I had with our young people of Marawi during the Kasing-Panaw. Weaving hearts; connecting hearts in its deepest sense; interlacing each other’s experiences of pain and happiness, failures and success, moments of brokenness and strength, and allowing the Spirit to form our hearts, making us into a wonderful creation – a reconciling presence ourselves.
Weaving is a delicate process which requires the ability to choose the right thread. As evident in the Kasing-Panaw, weaving hearts, as wonderful as it is, also needs certain values and abilities for it to be genuine. This leads me to reflect on three characteristics of a heart that ushers genuine encounter, a kasing-kasing nga tinuod nga nagpanaw.
An open heart. In our world enveloped with mistrust and suspicions, where identifying the truth from what is not is a laborious task, where passing on judgement is easier than knowing the whole truth, an open heart is an imperative. To open the heart is to be vulnerable before others. It is taking the risk of being hurt and broken. But only hearts that are open can usher genuine encounter. Our young people who were gathered in the Kasing-Panaw came from different contexts.
They brought with them their hopes and visions, but they have also carried their burdens with them. The journey was long. The place was unfamiliar. But their hearts were open. They shared what they have deep within. They have allowed the other young people, the activities, and the environment to be part of their hearts. In the Kasing-Panaw, their struggles and burdens did not vanish, their fears were not gone, but their encounters made them face their challenges and accept their burdens with new enthusiasm.
Their hearts became bigger, their soul enriched. Their vision is that of hope. A hope which springs out from their common experience of being loved. A hope ushered by an open heart.
A listening heart. The world is filled with different noises. Some tends to define us; some makes us confused and discouraged. This context calls for a listening heart – a heart who listens not just to those that are spoken but most importantly to those that are kept deep within.
The encounters of our young people in the Kasing-Panaw allowed them to listen not just to what they wanted to hear but also to the realities that young people are facing – challenges in the family, their mental health, their studies, and even challenges in terms of dialogue. These are not so pleasant to hear but they listened. Their hearts listened, with patience, with sincerity, with deep love. And in that listening heart, creativity was born. Evident in their enthusiasm, our young people found creative ways to face the challenges around them.
In our world so much influenced with individualism and division they build friendships. In the different challenges they are facing they find inspiration in other peoples sacred stories. In the face of liminality, they were empowered by the creativity of love.
A discerning heart. As good choice is important in weaving cloth, so as to in weaving hearts. Our choice of words, our way of relating, our perspective – these matter in our encounters with others. The energy of the young people to take on different challenges and their ability to adapt to certain situations exhibit a wonderful characteristic of a discerning heart, that is maturity.
In the duration of the Kasing-Panaw, our young people joyfully participated in all our activities. They accepted without hesitations their foster family assignments even if they will be separated from their friends. Truly, as their hearts are discerning, there’s depth in their thoughts and actions.
The entire Kasing-Panaw is a wonderful experience of weaving of hearts. Our experiences, hopes, visions, and even our struggles and pains are threads which were carefully and contentiously interwoven by the Spirit to form this wonderful masterpiece – The Young People of Marawi, pilgrims of hope, reconciling presence in our time.
The Kasing-Panaw has indeed inspired us to be agents of dialogue but it also challenges us to touch the hearts that still need to be opened, the hearts that still need to learn how to truly listen, the hearts that still need to appreciate and practice discernment. This is not a light burden to bear. But it is noble task to fulfill. As what Bishop Tudtud said, it is “a plan of hundred years”[1]. And so the weaving of hearts continues… until all hearts are formed into becoming a reconciling presence.
[1] Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME, “Message of Silsilah Dialogue Movement”, Tatay Bido @ 25 in memoriam (2012): 76.
A DOSE OF GOD TODAY 
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