Bahala Na Paper.docx

LOYOLA SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY

Bahala na/ Journey to the Unknown (Leaving it to God) A Parallelism of Abraham’s Journey and OFW’s Faith Journey

INTRODUCTION Faith is not a strange word for many us, "Faith and hope are inseparable in the hearts of many migrants, who deeply desire a better life and not infrequently try to leave behind the 'hopelessness' of an unpromising future."1 Pope Benedict XVI said that to believe in something is innate in us.2 Abraham, the Father of Faith journeyed from his homeland to the place where God guided and showed him. Did he know where he was going? Did he know what will happen to him? Clearly the answer is no, faith and obedience urged him to go and follow God. Possibly the same can be said and as I have read and seen in the experiences of the plights scenes of OFWs. Many times, they do not know what kind of family, what kind of employer or even what kind of job they are going to be doing. Their journey is a journey full of hope and trust, for Catholics surely to God, who was once a migrant in Jesus. OFWs hope for a better working environment and trustful that God will deliver them from all evil along the way. All for a better future for themselves and for their families left behind. Faith and hope are the treasures of most migrants and OFWs in particular. Added to it is their resiliency in holding on to God’s mercy and guidance. Faith and hope are inseparable in the hearts of many migrants, who deeply desire a better life and not infrequently try to leave behind the “hopelessness” of an unpromising future. During their journey many of them are sustained by the deep trust that God never abandons his children; this certainty makes the pain of their uprooting and separation more tolerable and even gives them the hope of eventually returning to their country of origin. Faith and hope are often among the possessions which emigrants carry with them, knowing that with them, “we can face our present: the present, even if it is arduous, can be lived and accepted if it leads towards a goal, if we can be sure of this goal, and if this goal is great enough to justify the effort of the journey” 3

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http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2012/pope-says-faith-and-hope-are-foundation-ofmigrants-journeys.cfm Accessed September 2, 2018) 2 Ibid. 3 MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI FOR THE WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES (2013)Migrations: pilgrimage of faith and hope

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The story of Abraham painted in portrait draws attention, and I am not exempted, his life’s legacy shows commonality and familiarity with our hopes and fears, our lights and shows, our happy times and sad times realities of our own lives. Many of the migrants hold on to what they believed as their leave their native land. Why? Perhaps is due to the fact that they do not know what happen to them along the way or as soon as they arrived. That why for many Filipinos especially the Catholics would just say Bahala na! Many of the Filipino religious this word means a lot done just a common understanding from leaving it to faith to leaving to God. This word has an equivalent …the traditional biblical Christian phrase of "Thy Will be Done, Lord." This meaning embodies the Feminine Principle of Submission to the Divine... At the same time, this phrase can also be renewed to be "May I do your will, Lord" and thus be a pro-active and dynamic act. This spiritual act thus embodies the Masculine Principle of Action. It is a way of facing Challenge/s. Invoke “Bahala Na” to find balance between your inner tranquility and outer self-actualization. Try it. Say now quietly, "Bahala na."4 Faith and hope holds dear to the lives of many Filipinos. Bahala na as a phrase is commonly addressed to God,5 often times this phrase has negative connotation that various authors considers as a fatalism.6 But when it comes to the relationship of Filipino and God, Wilfredo c. Pagious says that bahalan na “implies a complete trust.”7 In the light of the Catholic faith, it is an expression of a “complete trust in God no matter how often this is lamentably misunderstood.”8 This is in connection of Filipinos belief on

4 Bahala Meditation A Personal Renewal of Filipino Spiritual Practice Originally published 06.27.03 http://www.babaylan.com/bahalameditation.html (Accessed: Septermber 3, 2018) 5 Bacani,Teodoro C. intro,Filipino Cultural Values, for the Apostolate, The Filipino Attachment to Material Things (Makati: St. Paul Publications, 1978), 137. 6 The doctrine that all things are determined, or arbitrarily decreed by fate or submission to the decree of fate. 7 The Filipino Attachment to Material Things 138 8 The Filipino Attachment to Material Things, 138

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predestination. In the decision, they are expecting to meet either fortune or misfortune, “If something happens, whether good or bad, is really for one, he will have it no matter what happens.”9 Jose M. de Mesa asserts that bahala na is used as an “encompassing concept to characterize the so-called Filipino fatalistic attitude or resigned acceptance of his lot in life. Attitudes towards God, Filipinos believed that everything that happened are the will of God or Bathala. “A good behavior, which meant one that was in conformity to Bathala’s will, merited panalangin (blessing or grace) and increased one’s chances to succeed in his undertakings.”10 Bahala na has a negative aspect also has a positive one. “It speaks of responsibility, concern, management and trust.”11 And this is understanding is what the writer will be using as guide and common in understanding of the plight of OFWs. Many of them still continuous to leave and go abroad. Bahala na “…is a indicative of a refusal to be defeated by discouraging situations.”12

The author aims to present in this paper the plight and journey of Abraham, from Abram to Abraham, his faith experiences and how God led him in parallelism with OFWs journey and faith experiences. The first part will present Abraham’s journey of faith. The second part will present about the journey of OFWs and their Bahala na, “leaving it to God” as they defy the unknown, their struggles, their lights and shadows. The third part will be a semi-reflection and

9 The Filipino Attachment to Material Things, 139 10 De Mesa Jose, And God said, “Bahala na!” The theme of Providence in the Lowland Filipino Context, (Quezon City: MAryhill School of Theology, 1979) 87. 11 De Mesa Jose, And God said, “Bahala na!” The theme of Providence in the Lowland Filipino Context, (Quezon City: MAryhill School of Theology, 1979) 117. 12 De Mesa Jose, And God said, “Bahala na!” The theme of Providence in the Lowland Filipino Context, (Quezon City: MAryhill School of Theology, 1979) 117.

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parallelism of Abraham journey and OFWs journey. The last part will be a conclusion. This paper aims to show that faith and hope of Filipinos are importance factors in their decisions and journeys. They cry out Bahala na! for they are given assurance that in movement, in their decision to leave their homeland, they take risk and plan for the future of their family, God will be with them.13

Abraham Journey to the Unknown St. Paul in letter to the Romans puts it beautifully how Abraham was then Abram started his journey “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. (cf. Heb 11: 22) I could imagine how it made him feel uneasy. Abraham is an important figure especailly in the Old Testament. He heed the call of God, a call that asked him to leave behind the life he has, and go the anther place for a promise to be blessed and through him the entire world. Abraham was called and yet he was not told of the place his and family where they are going. He did not entertain anymore his doubt but embraced obedience and faith. How this will happen, and why, is a mystery to this man, but he sets out. Who was Abram or Abraham? Abraham was pictured to be an important person in the community. His “lifestyle suggests he was the chief of a wealthy clan whose livelihood depended mostly on raising small livestock such as sheep and goats. He seemed to have had semi-permanent roots near some large city, or at least within a definite area, but often moved with his flocks to new pastures according

13 De Mesa Jose, And God said, “Bahala na!” The theme of Providence in the Lowland Filipino Context, (Quezon City: MAryhill School of Theology, 1979) 117.

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to the seasons of the year. His life was not that of the city dweller or villager, but he was never far from the major urban centres.” 14 Abraham and those who are with his people seems to live a semi-nomadic lifestyle. 15 Gen 12:1: “Go out from your land and your clan and your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” The call of Abraham masks the beginning of God covenental plas towards his poeple. This marks the start of a new development in God’s plan. The world as a whole is no longer the stage of action, but participate in it.

The biblical picture of Abraham is told as a journey – Abraham moves through Canaan, stopping at major places in the mountain country, Shechem, Hebron and Beer-sheba, moving down into the southern Negev desert area, travelling even to Egypt. He appears with a large number of followers and many flocks and herds and he occasionally does trade (Gen 15:2), but we learn very little about any business dealings or even about his relationships with his Canaanite neighbours.

The whole story of Abraham is presented to us in a way that stresses two major themes: (1) God made a promise to Abraham which will control all the events narrated in the Pentateuch, but which already begins to unfold in Abraham’s own life-time; (2) God blessed Abraham and made him his specially chosen friend because Abraham was faithful to God. These two themes are found mixed together throughout the story. Here is a plot of Abraham’s journey of faith which is important in this study.

14 THE STORY OF ABRAHAM and SARAH, 2 15 THE STORY OF ABRAHAM and SARAH, 2

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1. Born to Terah in the land of Ur. 1950 B.C. Gen 11:26 Born into an idolatrous family with a knowledge of the one true God. They worshiped the things around them, which they find unique. And yet his true spiritual life began with faith in the Lord as he receives his righteousness. (Cf. Gen 15:6) Left Ur for Haran. Gen 11:31 cf 15:7 Abraham/Abram was willing to leave his earthly security and whatever power was his as Terah's firstborn son to obey the voice of God (Whom he barely knew). He set out for a land he had never seen and knew nothing about. He placed all his trust in God put himself in a position of complete dependence on God. That dependency is a sharp contrast to the builders of Babel. They refused to be scattered over the earth, choosing instead to consolidate their technology and power. Their intention to make a name for themselves and to build a tower to heaven showed them to be unwilling to live in humility, without knowing what comes next. He heard the directive from God and began to obey by leaving the land of his relatives. He was somewhat tested if he could follow what God stated on him. Abraham/ Abram should that he was willing to leave behind his comfortable place on earth in order to obey God, received a promise of unthinkable power and influence. He was to become the father of a great nation, Israel. It would be a descendant of his, Jesus, Who would bring heaven to earth in the Incarnation. Abraham/Abram gave up everything to obey; in obeying, he gained back more than everything. His obedience to God’s will, was his passport towards God’s promises. When God calls, we are invited to respond in obedience in faith.

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2. Left for Haran with Terah and Lot. Gen 11:31 Abraham was told by God to leave relatives behind and not just his place and go to a place God would show him. God demands from him a total compliance, but failed to make it because his relatives are his dear family, as a result his was only partially complied with God’s directive. The call of God involved hardship as FB Meyer states the situation of Abraham. “He was a childless man. He had sufficient for the supply of his needs. He was deeply attached to those who were united to him by the close ties of a common nature. It was no small matter for him to break up his camp, to tear himself from his nearest and dearest, and to start for a land which, as yet, he did not know.”16 3. Left Haran after death of Terah. 1875 B.C. Gen 11:32 cf 12:4-6 Abraham’s wealth was beginning to accumulate here. Comfortable now with servants to assist he and Sarah. He experiences a moment of his journey wherein it seems a foolishness to go on and leave the place where he is. It is easy to just settle down that would tantamount to giving up so that he can enjoy the fruits of his labor. 4. Spent some time in Egypt. Gen 12:10-20 A famine hit the land, which endangered his wealth and lifestyle. He became afraid and told Sarai to tell Pharaoh that she was his sister so that he would not be killed. Sarai taken into a harem. This challenges the trust of Abraham in the Lord. Abraham is not wandering around without the guidance of the Lord. He was rather challenge and reminded to trust in the Lord for sustenance for the Lord does not forget his promise. Abraham was called to trust the Lord for his life. Genesis 12 reminds us of the personal nature of God and of His desire for a personal relationship with people. He’s often described in the Old Testament as “the God of Abraham,

16 FB Meyer,

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Isaac, and Jacob,” reaffirming His connection with people. The theme of faith is an overarching theme found in Abraham’s life and story, and the lessons of faith exemplified in his life are valuable to believers in every generation. Hebrews 11:8-10 refers to the Genesis account of Abram’s call and obedience, noting that Abram “went out, not knowing where he was going” (Gn. 12: 8). The reader is reminded of the great faith required for Abram to follow the Lord into the unknown. 5. Separated from Lot. Gen 13:1-18 The presence of God in Abrahams’s life continuous to invite him to correct his mistakes. He has to leave his kin and go to where God is asking him to go. Abraham was not afraid of the army but was afraid God was not going to keep His word. Where were these innumerable descendants? Thus, he presented his worries to God, for in moments like this it is easy lose faith and grow weary. He has now to correct his mistakes, God asked him to leave even his kinsmen. 6. Isaac born. 1850 B.C. Gen 21:1-7 God at last fulfilled his promise to Abraham, God really works in mysterious ways. Faith should be blind to possible. The birth of Isaac led to the departure of his first‐born, but he was solaced by the covenant he made with his neighbors and the building of a new sanctuary at Beersheba and the proclamation there of the Lord’s name (21:8‐34). 7. Isaac offered. c. 1832 B.C. Gen 22:1-24

God further pointed out to Abram that he was to follow this call of obedience even though he did not know the final destination. It was a call to faithful obedience. It was a call to trust the Lord with the future even though God had not revealed all the details of that future. This is a challenging call to radical obedience.

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The Lord asked Abram to live by faith and obey His word. There would be great change and upheaval, but the Lord was calling Abram to trust Him enough to obey Him. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, "In Isaac your descendants shall be called." 19 He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead; from which he also received him back as a type.

8. Death of Sarah. 1813 B.C. Gen 23:1-20

By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised; 12 therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 9. Death. 1775 B.C. Gen 25:7-11

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place, which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he allowed himself to be led by God and allowed himself to be an alien in a foreign land, camping from one place to another as they journey to the promised land. The call of Abraham was not just an ordinary call it was a call accompanied by a promise. “God's commands are not always accompanied by reasons, but always by promises, expressed or understood. To give reasons would excite discussion; but to give a promise shows that the reason, though hidden, is all sufficient. We can understand the promise, though the reason might baffle 10

and confuse us. The reason is intellectual, metaphysical, and spiritual; but a promise is practical, positive, literal.”17 The call of Abraham is a call to migrate, and it may seem that the hardships he experienced are too great to be borne. This reminds us of the personal nature of God and of His desire for a personal relationship with people. God wants to journey with us, as he wants to be with us. He’s often described in the Old Testament as “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” reaffirming His connection with people. The theme of faith is an overarching theme found in Abraham’s life and story, and the lessons of faith exemplified in his life are valuable to believers in every generation. Hebrews 11:810 refers to the Genesis account of Abram’s call and obedience, noting that Abram “went out, not knowing where he was going” (v. 8). The reader is reminded of the great faith required for Abram to follow the Lord into the unknown. The essential difference between the immigration into Canaan of the other groups and that of Abram’s company consisted in this, that the cause of the latter’s migration was not, or was not solely, economic, social or political, but was primarily religious, and its aim was the founding of a new faith; therein lies its unique significance. Abraham moved or migrated by faith.

OFWs Journey to the Unknown Overseas Filipino Workers or knowns as OFWs leave their homeland, family and friends in order to work abroad. OFWs ended up in different and various situations as they arrive in their countries of destination. For some there are blessed to have a good and generous employer while are not blessed enough to have a strict and abusive employers. OFWs journey are not of an

17 (Meyer)

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uncertain one. Uncertain because many of them do not know if their job or their employer would treating with respect and with dignity. Unlike Abraham, they did not receive a call to go and leave, but perhaps it is a different kind of calling. They are called to respond to their reality, they are called to secure for the better future of their family. In a study by Paganoni and Cruz they assert that Filipinos are motivated to leave their homeland due to these reasons: “1. Subsistence, survival. 2. Human dignity, security. 3. ‘Sense of duty-social approval, 4. Increased status, ‘the good life.’ 5. Pleasure, significance towards creative fulfilment. 6. Redemption of the social order, ‘the future.’”18 They do not want to stay forever as they are and so they wanted also to improve their living condition. However, OFWs migrants not solely based on these reasons. OFWs particularly the Catholics, consider their experiences working abroad as God’s plan and calling for them. “Truly, God must have a plan why He made me go to Taiwan,”19 as Genalyn Caayon relates her stories. Her story and other stories of migrants that migration is not just about economic advancement but also a journey of faith. Paganoni in his article To the Middle East with hope shows the condition of OFWs in that part of the world saying that “the fabled ‘land of promise’ may turn out to be desert frontier towns plagued by overwhelming heatwaves and occasional sandstorm,… with different supervisors and managers from countries with cultures entirely alien to the almost-familial working relationships in a Philippine setting.”20 This shows that, for those OFWs who left the country do not really have much options in terms of working environment.

18 Filipinas in Migration Big bills and small changeVictoria Paz Cruz and Anthony Paganoni(Quezon city: Scalabrini Migration Center, 1989), 4 19 20 Paganoni, Migration From the Philippines, (Quezon city: Scalabrini Migration Center, 1984), 177

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Migration in general and of the OFWs in particular seen in the eyes of faith has bot negative and positive aspect, it is a “journey in the force of a divine plan with which it collides” with reality. 21

Migration in the Philippines context in mainly due to economic condition and reason are as

mention previously. Thus, whenever a Filipino decides to leave and work abroad there is a certain thought of uncertain about the decision. In a way, it may be considered as God’s way of calling to make major changes of direction in their lives as they follow Him. And often times these changes can stretch us in ways that force us out of our comfort zones and cause us to trust Him completely. In most cases, OFWs would rather stay home near to their families. But they have to face the reality and the only way out that they see is to work abroad. Lakas-ng-Loób/Bahala na – Lakasng-loób is literally translated as “courage”, bahala na is sometimes translated as “fatalism” or “resignation”, but it is translated more positively as “courage to face uncertainty.”22 Alfred Lagmay argues that bahala na is best translated as “a functionally positive response to uncertainty”23 The plight of OFWs has to be taken into in order to see that this is not just any kind of courage, but a courage for self-sacrifice for the kinship group. “…Maybe God has His plans for all of us and we just have to keep our faith in Him. Bahala na si Lord.”24 Danny Accede recounts about what he had to give up literally in exchange for the dollors he earned as on overseas worker in Saudi Arabia. In his realization, migrants and their families had to give up a lot but in believing that God at the end will put to a period to the sacrifices and will be rewarded.

21 Filipino Church Personal Abroad Some facts and implications, 41 22 Jeremiah Reyes Loób and Kapwa: An Introduction to a Filipino Virtue Ethics 23 Jeremiah Reyes Loób and Kapwa: An Introduction to a Filipino Virtue Ethics 24 Sacrifice.. Migrants Stories, Migrants Voices.

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Furthermore, their migration is a migration of liberation and revelation in which the sacred author describes the most wonderful manifestation of God. Liberation and revelation,….. OFW experiences of migration are both a liberation and revelation. Why? Because through migration they have the …to change their lives that why many of them would say as they leave “Bahala na which is not an act of automatic resignation but a way to embolden oneself, almost like ‘I’m going to do what I can.’25 OFWs Moved to a place where at times they cannot never call home or almost like home in a faraway land. Friends and family are left behind. The familiar is replaced with the new and different. The unknown future replaces the known past. Change can be difficult yet for some it is a bliss. It is often prefer the known and the comfortable to difficult challenges. God clearly communicated to Abram what He expected of him. The decisions to migrant for OFWs are times when they are uncertain of what God wants them to do. Very often, however, God unmistakably tells us what to do through faith. Migrants in general have various reasons to migrate, but OFWs have an ultimate goal in migrating. It is for the best, for their future with their family. A mission given by God as Catholic parents. (CF. CCC)

Abraham and OFWs Journey in Common Abraham goes out from his land and his father’s house, not certain where he is headed, but ready to be led by a God known only to him. At some point he stops leaving and begins the long process of arriving, which will engage him for the rest of his days. Although he is 75 years old, it is this point in his life that modern observers might define as his coming‐of‐age; his sense

25 Loób and Kapwa: An Introduction to a Filipino Virtue Ethic

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of self is transformed. In fact, when he is called by God, he is living in the city of Haran, which can be translated as “route,” “journey,” or “crossroads.” Indeed, the moment is the crossroads of Abraham’s life, as he begins a journey like no other. The Life of Abraham reminds us of the importance of trusting God in the big and small issues of life. Through this, we are invited to trust God even when we don’t know exactly where He’s leading. We’re encouraged to obey God even when that leads to difficult and uncomfortable changes. Like Abraham, each of us must choose whether we will live the great adventure and blessing of walking with God by faith. For it is not the pursuit of wealth or power or adventure that seems to motivate Abraham, rather his faith in God. His reward is the promise of the future, the divine blessing granted through him to his descendants. “In Abraham humanity, humanity is already in perspective (Gen12:1-3; 6-9) and with its journey it is the promise which becomes a historical reality.”26 Scriptures tells the Abraham and other men of faith advance the cause by journeying along the path God shows them. Making their travels as true pilgrimages and their ultimate goal is being in the promise Land. This migration is not immediately realized as God sends other migrations. The call of God is an important factor in Abraham’s life, it was a turning point. FB Meyer considers it as a clear note and for he said that “the key to Abraham's life is the word "Separation." He was from the first to last a SEPARATED MAN.”

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Abraham was separated from his native

land and kinsmen; he was separated from his close relatives especially from Lot; alienated as a pilgrim and as a foreigner, from the people he encountered in his journey. Separation is not unusual to OFWs, for them it is simply part of the package.

26 Filipino Church Personal Abroad Some facts and implications 41 27 FB Meyer

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It may be that Abraham was feeling very lonely. Lot and he had been constant and close companions: and when the last of the camp-followers had moved off, and Lot had disappeared into the long distance. Migrants, and many of them are parents are separated from their homeland; separated from their husbands/wives and growing children; separated from their reality of being a parent to their children. Abraham’s separation was a matter of faith while for OFWs it is a matter of requirements/a necessity. Separation can lead to family disruption, marital discord and broken families, and behavioral problems in children. Although altered relationships and family roles resulting from overseas migration are not exactly harmful per se, often these give rise to conflicts affecting family unity and children’s development28 The fangs separation from family members is fearful for somehow sow instability, jeopardizing marriages and parents-children relationships. Parental absence due to one or both parents working abroad has been linked to problems such as juvenile delinquency, drug addiction, dropping out of school, teenage pregnancy and early marriage among the children of migrants. The migration of mothers is particularly regarded as problematic because they’re remittances have traditionally been implicated in the contribution to the families of migrants becoming materialistic, losing initiative to work, and dependency on money received from abroad. Some of these issues and concerns have been subjected to research; many remain underresearched. Whether in Abraham’s separation and that of the OFWs God reaches out His hands in eager longing for eternal realities, and thus is led gradually and insensibly out and away from

28 Ano XVI - Número 30 - 2008 251 Sr. Elizabeth V. Pedernal, mscs (REMHU _ Revista Interdisciplinar da Mobilidade Humana)

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the seen to the unseen, and from temporal to the eternal.29 Separation is a painful moment in ones life. When we are separated from those who are dear to us, there is something deep within us that is wounded, hurt, sadness etc. There is a point in the lives of OFWs Parents that they too put in the line there children so and leave to God. Children have a different level of acceptance or tolerance of the situation depending on their “cognitive development.” For young children, they only see migration as a form of abandonment of their parents; while adolescents may be either receptive or resentful. On children left behind the effects of mother’s absence to children, where children have varied reactions to migration situation. Bahala na, imbibes a trustful attitude on the part of the OFWs so that like Abraham even though they do not know what will happen them, they surrender themselves to God, willing that He should work in and for them that which they cannot do all by themselves. There are then two point that we can draw from both experience of the OFWs and Abraham; God always comes near to his separated once; God will do better for those who trust him than they could do for themselves. Just like what he did to Abraham, God would not abandon his children. Because of faith and trust in God many of the OFWs find courage to continue in their journey. As Pope Benedicts in his message to one of the World of Migrants said, “It is true that the experience of migration often begins in fear, especially when persecutions and violence are its cause, and in the trauma of having to leave behind family and possessions which had in some way ensured survival.”30

29 Meyer 30

https://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/migration/documents/hf_benxvi_mes_20121012_world-migrants-day.html

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OFWs also are afraid because of the uncertain that lies in their journey, there are worried about what will happen to them in their work and they are also worried about the safety of their families back home. But they know that the best thing they can do is leave it to God. Bahala na! At times suffering, great losses in the family can cause these OFWs to be disoriented with all the uncertainties if their actions are would really build their dreams. Faith is an important factor for many migrants. It is in God that they find hope, courage and eventually grow in faith. They put their trust in God that they may find acceptance, solidarity and help in the places where they go. For by its nature migration involves suffering the pain of uprooting and separation from family, country and possessions. However, through faith and hope there are able to to face difficulties at hand if they can believe it will lead to a better future.

Conclusion Daring in his faith, he chooses to believe that the message is ultimately from God, and he complies. His faith in following the voice marks the first step on the path we still seek to walk, as a named Rabbi Arthur Green has written. We can say that OFWs and Abaraham may have recieve the call in different ways and for different purpose. Abraham was called to move and establish life long relationship with God. OFWs response to the call of needs and neccesity but does not exclude God in the process. They too are able to enrich their faith in the process and establish a life-long relationship with God. Moreover, what we can learn from Abraham and OFWs are their courage and faith endure to endure the pains and joys of migration. Perhaps they miss the security of their old life and long for its simplicity. But they made a decision which they deemed for the best. It is never easy to break entirely with one’s past in Abraham case and leave behind one’s family. However, 18

losses and separations are inextricably connected to growth. For Abraham, leaving home is a valuable and fruitful loss. For OFWs leaving home was the part of the sacrifice they have to make to sustian and at times to keep the home intact. God provides the road map, in a code he must learn to decipher. Abraham’s actions resembles those of the thousands OFWs goin abroad, hearkening to the call “Work Abroad!,” and the countless peoples who have uprooted their families in search of a better life in a new and unknown place. For some they consider being a migrants or OFWs are calling. They encounter God’s words in their experiecne working outside the homeland. We too in our personal lives expericne the calling. In our own lives, those moments of clarity—when, perhaps, divinity is our light and compass—are the most significant signposts on our journeys. It is so amzaing to realize that life itself can be “thought of as an alphabet by which God graciously makes known his presence and purpose and power among us.”31 God speaks to us in such a way, presumably, not because he chooses to be obscure but because, unlike a dictionary word whose meaning is fixed, the meaning of an incarnate word. God speaks to us in a ways that is most understanding and in our langauge, wherein the meaning becomes clear and effective in our lives . Abraham could not have known God so deeply had he stayed home. And perhaps this hols true to many migrants, their faith would have not grown and evolve if they just stayed home.

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(from The Sacred Journey) Abraham’s call and the nature of his spiritual journey

Sandee Brawarsky

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