It is not enough for the elderly to pray

Yes, Fr. Tito Caluag’s reflection on this relationship of mercy and forgiveness (“A Relationship of Mercy and Forgiveness,” Lifestyle, 9/15/13) is very relevant today. Our Lord continues to invite us with His grace to work with the poor in our midst and not only for them. It is not enough for us the elderly just to remain at home to pray for the marginalized in our communities. While we can still “walk and talk,” we must go out for some time and visit barangay day-care centers in our areas; and stay and talk with the workers, with  the 3- to 6-year-old kids in their care and with the mothers who bring them there. Make these visits fruitful by reading to them or telling stories of love  and compassion, of God’s enduring providence in nature, of what we can do to preserve His wonders in our beautiful world.

For Father Tito, please remember me in your prayers—your ninang, the widow of your ninong Doming Sison, and friends of your mom and dad. Pray for my advocacies for autistic children in marginalized communities. Pray that more local government units will put up SPED centers to give free early detection, care and intervention so these children will not remain a burden.

—ELON SISON,

elon.sison@gmail.com