Dawn Intercession

Dawn Intercession
by JB John Martin G. Cajita (Ateneo de Manila University)
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The phone rings. "Oh my God! It's 4:30 a.m. Who could this be?"
"Hello, sino 'to?"
"Hello, JB? Si Ate Mitzi 'to. Hey time to wake up."
"Oo nga, 'no? Dawn intercession nga pala. OK be there by five."

This is what happens whenever I attend the dawn intercession. Well, true enough, it is REALLY a DAWN intercession. I carry myself up at this time (I don't usually wake up at 4:30 a.m.) and lousily put on my clothes (without bothering to take a bath knowing that it would be too cold) and go to the meeting place. NAKAKAPAGOD TALAGA!!! (It really is tiring!!!)

But then it is worth it.

When I attended this activity at first, I used to think that this is just a waste of my time and energy. Just like the saying goes... "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy and socially dead." But then when it starts, I feel completely the opposite.

We start with some mingling (but then I am still sleepy so I do not interact much.) Then we come to worship (this time I am wide-awake because of all the clapping and the music.) I relax a little because of all the energy I feel from everybody else trying to lift me up. Then prayer comes.

This is waht the activity is all about. We pray for all the problems plaguing the world (at least those that we think of). It is a practical reminder to everyone present that there are a lot of problems. We also offer to God our weaknesses and limitations, for we know that we cannot do this alone. That is why we pray to God for His help and guidance, that in our own very special way, we may contribute to the lessening of the world's pain.

But for me, what makes it important is that it starts my day with God (and maybe a reminder that we have a lot of problems to solve.) It helps me be good during the day because of all the good people who are praying with me. It makes me realize that other people are still concerned about what is happenning in this world and not only think of themselves. It makes me glad people care.
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