AN MAOGMANG LUGAR:

Sa Mata
The Ateneo de Naga University Junior High School Literary Folio

ng Bata
Reflections and Artworks on the Suffering, Death,
and Resurrection of Jesus by Students of
Ateneo de Naga University Junior High School
AN MAOGMANG LUGAR:
The Ateneo de Naga University Junior High School Literary Folio

Sa Mata
ng Bata
Reflections and Artworks on the Suffering, Death,
and Resurrection of Jesus by Students of
Ateneo de Naga University Junior High School

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EDITORIAL TEAM
FIRST COMPANIONS VOLUNTEER GROUP
Ethan Nigel Portes
Alaine Rodrigo
Alliana Mae Alvarez
Crystal Aynrand Pacis
Nikailla Chelsea Sarmiento
Nicole Assumption Marie Tria
Aiyanna Keisha Fajardo

Moderator: Val Dominic F. Monit

School Year 2021-2022

No part of this publication may be reproduced
without the permission of the writers or artists.

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INTRODUCTION
Sa Mata ng Bata is a reflection on the Via Crucis, or Way of the
Cross which marks Jesus’ final journey, from the moment when
he is condemned to death, to the moment where he is laid in the
tomb to His resurrection. Jesus' journey to the cross has vivid
echoes and resonances for us in this time of Pandemic – Jesus does
not abandon us, but walks with us. And along the way, he meets
those who offer moments of soothing and generous relief in the
midst of agony and distress.

In this Ignaitan Year when we are invited to see all things new in
Christ, may this collection of reflections and artworks by the
students of the Ateneo de Naga University Junior High School
lead us to prayer as we see the world through their eyes.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

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OPENING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we come to you in the midst of fear and struggle.
Calm our anxious hearts, and give hope to all who despair. Lord
Jesus Christ, bearer of our sins, healer of our every ill, walk with us
through our trials, through our darkest hours.

Open our hearts to the hope offered by the mystery of your dying
and rising. Holy Spirit, breath of life, bringer of truth, let the story
of your passion inspire us anew to walk our path of discipleship.

We pray this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Artwork by Paige Garchitorena, a student of 10-Hurtado.

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THE FIRST STATION:
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his
disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took along Peter and
the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he
said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep
watch with me." He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying,
"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but
as you will." When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He
said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch
and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the
flesh is weak."

(Matthew 26:36-41)

Every time I am faced with multiple adversities in my life, my initial

response is to slow down and take my time to grasp the situation around
me. Most times, even if it gets difficult, I keep my problems to myself
instead of seeking help from others. I usually avoid asking for someone's
help as I don’t want them to worry and burden themselves to help me lessen
the baggage I’m carrying. Because of this fear, I isolate myself from friends
and loved ones once I experience even the slightest inconvenience in my
life. Even if I try to justify that this behavior is healthy and normal, I realize
that this coping mechanism of mine is self-destructive as it only adds flame
to the fire.

In the first station, Jesus said, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here
and keep watch with me.” His words were full of pain and sorrow, emotions
we don’t usually reflect from His words. Imagine seeing the person we
depend on get terribly upset. Perhaps, He felt this way because he was
aware of the fate awaiting Him; the sacrifice of an excruciatingly painful
death bearing the sins of the whole world on His shoulders.
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During these tough times, Jesus approached God in prayer and said, “My
Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you
will."

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced His situation wholeheartedly, no

matter how difficult this was for Him. He didn’t let His pains and fears
control His decisions for He sees and believes that everything He is going
through is the Father’s will.

This station taught me that honestly expressing my feelings to the people

who care for me, especially during rough times, isn’t a sign of weakness but
of humility. I don’t have to feel guilty anymore because even Jesus went
through the process of openly expressing His emotions to God through
prayer. He entrusted Himself to the hands of God entirely.

Jesus reaches out His hands to us and invites us to surrender to His will.
Whatever the sufferings and trials, however dark and painful these are, we
find comfort in the fact that Jesus understands and shares our pain with us.
We simply have to trust that God will be with us through all the joys and,
most especially, the hardships. Someone is with us, helping. We are truly
never alone.

PRAYER:

Loving Father, we are aware and we fully acknowledge the suffering You
undertook for the sake of humanity. We are eternally grateful for the
comfort of Your presence in our lives. We ask You to grant us the courage
and strength to face every hardship, with You by our side. Through our
loved ones, remind us that we are never alone and that there will always be
someone willing to help during the most difficult times. This we ask in
Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Denise Paola B. Bracia, a student of 10-Arrupe.

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Artwork by Rianne Andrzej V. Pamon, a student of 10-Faber.

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THE SECOND STATION:
Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested

Then, while [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived,
accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the
chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal
with them, saying, "the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him
away securely." He came and immediately went over to him and said,
"Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this, they laid hands on him and arrested
him.

(Mark 14: 43-46)

It’s hard to know how a betrayal feels until you’ve been through one
yourself. This can happen to anyone in so many ways and can cause some
degree of suffering. In my 16 years of existence, I can say that I’ve already
had my fair share of betrayals, both being a traitor and a victim at some
point in my life. I wonder when Jesus was betrayed by Judas, did Jesus feel
hurt? Did he feel disappointed, like how I would feel if someone betrayed
me? Did he feel lied to? Deceived? Vulnerable? Growing up, I’ve realized
that trusting someone is a risk, it always is and always will be, because to
trust someone means being vulnerable to a change we can’t possibly control,
that could positively or negatively affect us.

Just like how some betrayals make me ponder if I could have acted
differently or if I could have said anything different that could change the
outcome. It is also said that betrayal is a devastating kind of loss because
most of the time it’s a loss that didn’t have to occur. Did Jesus think the
same about Judas’ betrayal?

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We are all part of a community, more specifically the community of faith,
where Jesus calls us to be His disciples to journey with Him and proclaim
the Kingdom of God. This community would require courage and trust,
given that we would be sharing our faith and lives with one another. Yes,
that would mean putting oneself in a vulnerable place where we can be
betrayed, but it can also allow a lot of good things or possibilities to happen.
People have suffered from betrayal, they have been crushed by unfair
circumstances, and we can sometimes relate to these struggles and relating
to these experiences can be of help to others and can lead to a great thriving
community. All we need to do is to take that leap of faith, to take that risk
of being vulnerable, and have the courage to journey as disciples, not alone,
but with Jesus. In our moment of weakness, when we are completely vulnerable,
that is when God steps in. When the rug is pulled out from under you by those
whom you have loved, then look for a greater place. God is on the move.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus,

You know the experience of being betrayed by a friend. Help us to see the
good in a world full of betrayals. Grant us the courage and strength to take
the risk of vulnerability to journey towards a prosperous world. Allow us to
be your hands and feet in reaching out to people who are hurting and to the
broken trust this world has today. Amen.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us.

Written by Crystal Aynrand Pacis, a student of 10-Faber.

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 Artwork by Hanna Ysabel U. Penales a student of 10-Faber.

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THE THIRD STATION:
Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin
When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests
and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, "If you
are the Messiah, tell us," but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not
believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the
Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." They all
asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied to them, "You say that I
am." Then they said, "What further need do we have for testimony? We
have heard it from his own mouth."

(Luke 22: 66-71)

All throughout my existence, I can definitely call this world “judgmental”.

When I was young, I barely had a grasp of the word “judgment”. Back then,
I used to think that judging is as easy as the snap of a finger, that no one will
get hurt. As time went on, I slowly learned how the world judges others.
Because of judgment, we come up with misconceptions, discriminate
against other people, and ultimately hate others. Due to these reasons, I
realized that it isn’t easy to judge people, especially to condemn others
without any proof or bias.

I know that all of us, living in the same creation that God has made, have
been judged and become judgmental. Every person we meet, we judge and,
at the same time, judge us. These days, many people are underestimated for
their differences and uniqueness, though they may be unwanted. Because of
this, many choose to end their lives, believing that their “ruined” lives
cannot be fixed. My heart pains and suffers with them, for I myself have felt
being discriminated against because of preconceived judgments.

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In the Third Station, when Jesus was condemned by the Sanhedrin, He was
also judged because of His unusual way of talking, especially the truths that
He spoke. The Rabbis were doubtful of Jesus because of His odd teachings
and miracles. There was a lot of gossip about Jesus’ deeds back then, and
these spread rapidly and widely. So, indeed, it’s undeniable that these will
reach the Sanhedrin. But even though Jesus was judged by them, He never
thought of doing them wrong or hurting them with His life, for He knew
that God had a purpose for His life. We must take inspiration from this and
find a better purpose in our lives too.

This Station is all about judgment and doubt, scrutinizing Jesus’ claim that
he was “the Messiah”. The members of the Sanhedrin repeatedly asked Jesus
questions, trying to pull out information from Him as much as they could.
They were curious about Christ as they were insecure about their own
word and knowledge. But, Jesus said in response, "If I tell you, you will not
believe, and if I question, you will not respond.” Indeed, God knows all of
us, for He knows what’s the very inside of us and because we are created in
His likeness. As such, God knew what bothered the minds of the members
of the Sanhedrin, so Jesus came up with short but strong responses. I can
relate to this, both sides of the coin, for there are times when we tend not to
believe what others say if they have no proof to back up their statements,
and oppositely, we tend not to respond to other’s questions we’re not sure
of the answer.

Unlike the Sanhedrin, who chose to decline the things that God wanted
them to see–the work of His Son–we must see that blindly judging,
doubting, condemning others are things that we should not do, things we
should not look forward to. We are only moving away from God. God only
wishes us to see that He is guiding us every step of the way. At times, we
may feel lost, but that doesn’t mean God has left us or that we lost God. In
simpler terms, the passage talks about the things that we unconsciously do,
words that condemn, and thoughts that doubt are things that gradually push
us away from Him.

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I tell you, be wiser in judging, for it is not just they whom we judge, but
God Himself.

PRAYER:

Ever living God, we know that sometimes, we hurt others’ feelings by

judging and accusing them with no right or proof. Sometimes, we choose
the wrong path of truth that leads us to move farther away from You. Please
grant us the grace to love others so that we may always choose to foster
love, rather than spread hate. Grant us an open mind so that we may see
Your deeper purpose for us. Grant us the grace of forgiveness so that we
can forgive those who oppress, discriminate, and judge us. Endow us the
gift of a wiser mind and wisdom so that we can have the right judgment in
our actions and words. Please keep and bear our conscience stronger than
before so that throughout our lives, we may choose to serve You in our
own special ways. Heavenly Father, thank You for this beautiful life we
have, and because of this, may we be reminded that everything we do, we
do it for Your greater glory. Amen.

Written by Maria Angela Saturius, a student of 10-Faber.

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Artwork by Jan Yzabela B. Trajano, a student of 10-Arrupe.

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THE FOURTH STATION:
Jesus is Denied by Peter
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over
to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it in
front of everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about!" As
he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were
there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazorean." Again he denied it with an
oath, "I do not know the man!" A little later the bystanders came over and
said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you
away." At that, he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man."
And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that
Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He
went out and began to weep bitterly.

(Matthew 26: 69-75)

Peter’s denial of Jesus is in a way a betrayal of the intimate friendship he had

with Jesus. He showed his unfaithfulness.

In my 13 years of existence, I have once felt like I was somehow unfaithful

to a friend, who considered me as one of their best friends. This friend of
mine was not liked much by many of our classmates due to their personality.

One day during recess, I was hanging out with my classmates when they
suddenly talked about my friend. They talked about how, in their eyes, this
friend of mine was always acting differently or laging umaarte. When they
asked for my validation of their observation, I was dumbfounded, and I
knew exactly that they were waiting for a response that was according to
what they expected to hear. I responded with, “Yeah, I always noticed that
they are like that,” as my answer to my classmates.

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Only after saying that did I realize what I had just said. My classmates
changed their topic, but I kept thinking about the answer I gave them. I
was guilt-stricken and asked myself, “ ‘Did I bad-mouth my friend behind
their back?’ I reflected as I stared in front of the mirror asking myself, “Is
this the kind of feeling that Peter had when he denied Jesus?’”

I continued to think of what just happened after recess. I was afraid that
people would be more distant from me because they might think I am the
type of person who bad-mouths one’s friend. I was scared, too, because
what if my friend finds out about it. I should have thought about what my
friend would think or feel before I gave that answer to my classmates. On
that day, I felt sadness and guilt. I kept reasoning to myself that I was just
scared and that my friend really does act like that, so I shouldn’t be worried,
but such was another reason why I hated myself even more.

I should have just told them a better response such as, “They do act like that,
but it could mean nothing to them.” “Maybe, it is because that is what they
got used to, which, even if it were so, should not matter.” It might be that
we were misinterpreting them. I shouldn't have agreed with them that they
are like that because it makes it seem like they have always been like that. I
should have just told them that we should respect them the way they are.
After that day, I told myself that I would never talk behind someone’s back
ever again and never repeat my mistake.

(Even if Peter didn’t talk about Jesus on his back, this scene reminded me of
that time when I, kind of, supported the rumors about my best friend,
which felt like a betrayal for me.)

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus. You, who have known that Peter will be denying You as your
follower and suffered through heartbreak, still forgave him in the end.

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Please show Your compassion and mercy to each and every single Christian
and fellow neighbor. May You please watch over those who experience
backstabbing by those whom they considered true friends and forgive those
who had betrayed their friends, may it be intentional or not. May You also
help heal the hearts of those who were betrayed from the pain they are
going through. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Written by Jewel Orquita, a student of 7-Realino.

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Artwork by Jenelle Bernice R. Barbosa, a student of 10-Faber.

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THE FIFTH STATION:
Jesus is Judged by Pilate
The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin,
held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to
Pilate. Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him
in reply, "You say so." The chief priests accused him of many things. Again
Pilate questioned him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they
accuse you of." Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was
amazed.... Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barrabas... [and]
handed [Jesus] over to be crucified.

(Mark 15: 1-5, 15)

Every passing day, we are presented with new pieces of information, tools
that we can use to shape our knowledge and beliefs. The responsibility of
choosing what and what not to believe then lies on our shoulders. In today’s
age where stories can easily be fabricated and misconceptions can easily
spread around like wildfire, how often do we actually seek the truth? Most
read everything in passing, some not even bothering to get past the headline
of the clipping of an article, just for the sake of knowing, and not genuinely
understanding. From one source of information to another, subconsciously
scrolling and skimming through, often with the feeling of emptiness after
consuming it all. Do we believe every post we come across, consuming
every form of media without any critical thinking involved? We shouldn’t,
should we? We should spend even a little of our time questioning the things
we see, and analyzing the things in the conversations that we hear and
partake in.

In the Fifth Station, we get to see how Jesus Christ’s fate was easily decided
because of the demand of the majority, and the lack of effort from Pilate to
dig deeper about the accusations made against Him. As I read this, it made
me wonder what would have happened if only Pilate did more.

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What if he believed more in Jesus’ innocence and less in the shouts of the
public? What if he took more time making a decision? Would that result in
a turn of events? Or would we, even if that happens, still know His story as
of the Son of God who selflessly sacrificed Himself for the sake of humanity,
which only seemed to drive Him away? Regardless, it happens to many:
sitting in silence and making the judgment of the majority automatically
their own. Thoughts unspoken, questions not raised, just to retain the
position in the status quo— an everyday situation, though we may not
notice sometimes because we ourselves do it. Hesitant to defy the wave,
because what if one falls into the dark depths of the ocean in the process, to
be forgotten by the people and only to remain as a character for the stories
whispered in strolls through the shore? As vulnerable humans, we are afraid
of the exclusion, the looming threat of losing it all even if we are only
starting to build a life and leave a mark in the world.

And so, when this happens, we turn to God. When we are the target of
narrowed eyes, our skins picked by the boring stares of the people for the
unconventional ideas that we have, we have Him. Let us not be perturbed
by the rumors that would then surround us, that would add fuel to the fire,
because in the end, God knows, and the truth does not need any defense in
His eyes.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, help us become an instrument of Your goodness and

truth. Guide us when we feel like surrendering as our body bruises from the
judgment and the cruel shunning. Comfort us when our ears are ringing
from all the noise made about us, but then no one dares to hold a
conversation with us. Help us so that we may also always seek the truth. To
scratch the surface, to peel the outer layer, and to get to the truth in its most
sincere form. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Kia Jamella V. Saldo, a student of 10-Arrupe.

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Artwork by Franc Iverdre I. Gonzaga, a student of 9-Campion.

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THE SIXTH STATION:
Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a
crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple
cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they
struck him repeatedly.

(John 19: 1-3)

Part of growing up is knowing where you were wrong and owning up to

these mistakes. I remember as a small child that I would often be confused
when my parents said that I did something wrong even though I thought I
was right to speak or act. When they explained what had occurred, it was
only then I understood what had transpired and my perspective changed
drastically. The sudden realization of what I had done brought guilt and
sorrow in my heart for my actions. Sin attaches to us unknowingly and
twists the truths in a subtle way. It separates us from the Lord and hurts our
relationship with Him. Though all of us are sinners, God still made a way
for us to be closer to him. It is only through forgiveness that we are able to
change our lives for the better.

Sin blinds us from seeing the presence of the Lord; thus, we become lost and
helpless. When we say that we follow God but unknowingly act the
opposite, we do not truly understand His teachings. We need to be
enlightened for us to discern and prevent sin from spreading inside us. If we
continue this act, it is as if we are the soldiers, repeatedly striking at Him
and showing disbelief in everything Jesus did for us. We become the ones
who place the crown of thorns on Jesus’ head when we act this way. In the
current situation of the world, people want to see the pandemic end but
some do not follow the safety protocols. There are still many examples of
this, so we should support our words with actions.

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On the other hand, if we have a full grasp of what we say or do and have
full intention to, that is the ultimate effect of sin. When we know that we
can do good to this world, but we choose not to, we choose to stray away
from God. We should not allow the act of omission to be the reason we
stop doing what is right and good.

In Jesus’ ministry, He would always help and heal the least, the lost, and the
last when no one would do so. These people became cleansed, and they
were able to begin their life anew because of their faith. Jesus would also
teach and speak of the different lessons of God and relate them to the
current situation of society. To this day, these teachings are true and give
life to us. He led through his service for others and placed them first before
Him. Word of Jesus spread like wildfire because of His actions that reached
many people around the world. Crowds would start taking notes of His
journey and people would listen to the Good News.

However, once he was taken by Pilate, most of his disciples and apostles
were nowhere to be found. The Sixth Station of the Cross reminds us that
in everything we do, in our best and worst times, we should accept Jesus in
our hearts and follow him. In moments of adversity, we should not be
discouraged and be afraid from believing in the Lord because it weakens
our relationship with Him. If we show fear or worry, we are not putting
our complete trust in God. As the motto of the Jesuits states, “Ad Majorem
Dei Gloriam”, we are inspired to show magis for the greater glory of God.

The season of Lent is the time for us to not only forgive but also change for
the better. Despite all of the mistakes we made, God gave us a second
chance through Jesus. We must commit ourselves in avoiding sin and
taking on the challenge in following Him. He is a merciful and just God
who showed us that the world can be redeemed through forgiveness.
Through all the sufferings He endured, Jesus wants to lead us back to the
Father because He loves us.

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His sacrifice is the reason why we have the opportunity to forgive and to be
forgiven. He opened our eyes to the truth that God’s love is the key to
putting an end to sin.

In our own simple ways, we can prevent the effects of sin. Prayer is a
powerful weapon that aids us in communicating with our Lord in a special
way. The world now is in a difficult situation and all of this could be
stopped if we learned to forgive one another by changing our ways. When
we learn and truly understand Jesus’ teachings, we must be ready to take up
our cross and follow Him.

PRAYER:

Almighty Father, we thank you for Your gift of forgiveness. We are

grateful for the second chance we found in Jesus who taught and believed in
us to change for the better. Thank you for the everlasting love you showed
us. We humbly beg for forgiveness for the moments we let sin prevail and
hurt You. We are sorry when we failed to act and did not put our complete
trust in You. May we imitate Jesus, Your Son, that we may be open to
forgive and to avoid sin as we deepen our faith. Grant us the strength to
commit ourselves to act rightfully and justly according to Your Word.
Remind us that through our commitment to change, we do everything for
Your greater glory. May You always keep in our hearts the sacrifice of Jesus
for our sins that we may also take up our cross and follow Him. We ask all
this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Vincent Gerard B. Sabillena, a student of 9-Campion.

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Artwork by Taishi D. Sugiyama, a student of 7-Realino.

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THE SEVENTH STATION:
Jesus Bears the Cross

When the chief priests and the guards saw [Jesus] they cried out, "Crucify
him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify
him. I find no guilt in him." ... They cried out, "Take him away, take him
away! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your king?" The
chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed him
over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross
himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew,
Golgotha.

(John 19: 6, 15-17)

At a very young age, my eyes had already opened from the cruelty and
darkness living in the world. I have seen them: the oppressors and the
oppressed; oppression was prevalent and naked even to a child’s mind. At
times, I was part of the oppressors, but most I was just a number of the
oppressed. When days turned cold and the sky dimmed black, I always
wondered what Jesus felt as he was kneeling from the weight, crumbling
from the accusations hurled against him. Pain, shameful, vulnerable, or
forgotten. “I didn’t have to look far; I already have myself as an example.” What
bothered me more was his acceptance of his fate: to die for those who
wished him dead. Was he ever scared to his bones as I am? How was it, Jesus,
to sacrifice Yourself for others that did not bat an eye to Your suffering? How can
Your heart, though it may have trembled as it was troubled, humbled itself?
What's more, how did You keep on moving Your feet, one after the other, while
carrying the weight of humanity on Your back? I trembled in wonder, had He
ever thought that God had left Him?

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The Seventh Station depicts Jesus’ march towards his fate, suffering, and
goal. It presented how society can easily dictate a person’s life; how easily it
can snuff out the fire that keeps us alive. Whether one believes it or not,
politics was at play in Christ’s crucifixion. Jesus, because of His
straightforward nature and holiness, a man that was not swayed by evil
itself, was perceived as a threat to the Roman king.

He was different. Now, we believe it so, for He is fully human and divine,
but at His time, He was different because He is the Son of God, because He
did not avoid those who are strayed by many. He drank the cup that the
poorest drank from and ate from the same bread that sinners ate from. He
was ostracized by society for his differences.

Now, I see Jesus in every corner of society: the mentally challenged, the
poorest of the poor, those with disabilities, those with differing sexualities,
individuals targeted by their race, the women of society, and every man and
woman that wishes to be their opposite. I see them so easily, carrying the
weight of wild accusations, childhood traumas, indifference, violence,
bullying, rejection from their family, poverty, and loss of hope.

Unlike Christ, we are not as resilient; at times when our knees buckle, they
do not straighten any longer. When our faces kiss the ground and mud
claims our skin, we no longer wish to open our eyes anymore. Tired, we
tremble in agony, has He forgotten us?

PRAYER:

Dearest God, we suffer with You. We beg You to keep Your light
radiating in the darkness. Blind us with Your presence so that the light of
Your image may seep from these blindfolds. Remind us that three times
Christ fell and three times He rose stronger in spirit; let me be like You,
Christ, let us be like You.

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We ask for forgiveness for the times when we ourselves kept these
blindfolds on; for the times when dragging the weight of our suffering was
too much, we sever our legs and arms just to have an easy way out. Thank
You for becoming an image of inspiration and consolation. When nothing
could keep us going, thank You for Your love. I wish everyone was as easy
to love as You. Almighty Father, remind us that in everything we do, every
suffering we endure, we do it for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Ethan Nigel A. Portes, a student of 10-Arrupe.

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 Artwork by Helaena Davidica Mariano, a student of 9-Arrowsmith.

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THE EIGHTH STATION:
Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian
to Carry the Cross
They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming
in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

(Mark 15: 21)

Since the start of the pandemic, I have read several articles about people
losing their jobs and having financial struggles. People were losing hope as
more cases of Covid were identified. They started to feel desperate for
someone to help them ease their life burdens. Fortunately, in the middle of
the pandemic, a generous person founded a program that started a ripple of
change. It was called the Community Pantry Program. After hearing such
news, people all over the country started setting up these pantries to help
ease the burden upon the desperate. These generous people are the modern
representation of Simon the Cyrenian. As the story goes, Simon was just a
passerby—he was completely a stranger to Jesus. While he did not volunteer
to help Christ, he was compelled by the Roman soldiers to carry the cross
and though he hesitated, in the end, he helped carry the weight of Jesus’
burdens.

Helping someone is part of our nature as humans. We feel empty when we

ignore the needy and feel fulfilled when we act against the injustices we see.
Even a small effort like listening to someone’s problems fulfills our soul.
“Helping other people can be a cure not just for those who are in need, but for your
soul as well,” a quote from Marinela Reka. We are not human if we do not
feel compassion and care for those who are suffering around us. We are not
human if we don’t bat an eye to someone else’s pain and suffering.

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When we help someone, it means that God is helping that person through
us, for we are His medium and instrument. God is comforting others
through our actions. We are the help He is sending to those people.

Even in the present day, countless people are calling out their cries for help
—people in the streets, people suffering from mental anguish, and people
who were deprived of their rights and justice. As humans and as part of a
community, we all have the ability to flicker a light to someone else’s
darkness. You don’t have to be special to change someone’s direction in
life. All we need is a little compassion and care so that we can reach our
hand out to grip another and to wipe the tears and sweat off them.

PRAYER:

Almighty Father,

Please grant us the compassion to save someone else’s hopelessness. Ignite

our Spirit to touch the souls of the desperate. Help us, so that our prayers
may reach the hearts of the helpless. Bless those who are suffering today.
Remind us that You will always be there to help us in times of our need.
Give us the courage to be Your way and to do Your will. In this, we ask
through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Written by Nicole Assumption Marie V. Tria, a student of 10-Arrupe.

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Artwork by Nikailla Chelsea P. Sarmiento, a student of 10-Arrupe.

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THE NINTH STATION:
Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who
mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of
Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your
children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are
the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.'
At that time, people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the
hills, 'Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green, what
will happen when it is dry?".

(Luke 23: 27-31)

We are aware that we are sinners, and we have a tendency to believe and
think that we will always be forgiven by God by praying that we are sorry
for our actions. I learned at a young age that even when people, including
myself, are conscious of what we are doing, we nevertheless commit sins for
our own advantage or purposes. I still vividly remember praying every
night to God to lead, protect, and forgive people who continued to commit
sins despite being conscious of what they were doing. As I grew older, I
saw how dull the “system” is and how it always led people astray. From
Jesus's sufferings and relating them today— I realized how much more of a
possibility it is for you to be killed by someone in power if they see you as a
threat to their position.

I imagined being one of those women of Jerusalem. As I was reading, I felt

a lot of emotions. I was in despair because of his suffering. I was angry
because I could not accept the fact that even back then, we can all see how
people in power brainwash people and how this affects the justice system.

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He understood their situation as to why they were weeping for him.
Women were weeping because it was unfair for him and for everyone, yet
he still let them understand that he was doing all this for us.

While he was being held as a prisoner, hands were pointed at him, and the
crowd wanted him to be crucified. He was suffering, in pain and grief,
bleeding, extremely tired, lonely, and on the verge of collapsing because of
his situation. He said that those who weep for him should weep for
themselves, not for him because he is suffering for our sins. Weep for our
ignorance, which has always led us to sin. Reading this made me remember
that at the end of the day judgment day will come and all of our sins will
be judged accordingly.

PRAYER:

Dear God, thank You. Thank You for giving us someone to teach and
guide us, Your son, Jesus. I pray that You will continue to teach and guide
us in the same way that He did for the women in Jerusalem who were
weeping for Him. Let us not succumb to the temptation to commit sins for
our own self-interest. We say sorry for the sins that we commit and let me
be awakened by the sins that I cannot see so that I can change and grow as
a person. We are eternally grateful to You. Thank You. Amen.

Written by Mary Catherine B. Marco, a student of 10-Canisius.

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Artwork by Aiyanna Keisha Fajardo, a student of 7-Garate.

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THE TENTH STATION:
Jesus is Crucified
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the
criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said,
"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."]

(Luke 23: 33-34)

Back then, when I was younger, I did not believe in love. Whenever I saw
couples looking so happy, all I wished was for them to get out of my sight. I
can even remember how my friends labeled me as “anti-romantic” and
“bitter”. But then maturity came upon me, and I realized that all along I was
wrong. The child in me deceived my perception of love; all this time, I had
enclosed myself with the idea of love which can only spring from romantic
love between couples. I failed to discern that something much greater,
stronger, and even more intense has been concealed by my delusions, and
that is none other than Christ’s great love for us.

“Hindi ka kailangang magbago, kahit ito’y mas ibig ko,” a line from the song
entitled “Pag-ibig Ko”. When I first heard this particular line from the song,
I couldn't help but be emotional; it felt like God was giving me a warm
hug. However, this awe that I felt from hearing the song begets thoughts
that I couldn’t refrain myself from thinking: “Jesus, being a selfless and loving
being as he is, was bid to crucifixion by the people whom he loved. Was it
unrequited love? He failed to receive the same love, comfort, or even regard that he
deserved from the people he was with during his time. The mere fact that he set
aside his divine nature by living just like any ordinary man, which he has shown
by sharing the same clothes, food, and even drinks with the people, urged me to feel
disappointment and even disgust for the people who abandoned him during his
time. Do we truly deserve him? Are we deserving of his love?”

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The Tenth station portrays Jesus’ heart being pierced with thorns. It is a
heart burning with undying love and compassion. The very moment he
uttered the first of his seven last words; “Father, forgive them for they do not
know what they do,” an image of a concerned sibling asking for forgiveness
from their father for the sake of saving the juvenile sibling from an
injurious sequel came to mind. Jesus Christ is bearing the tremendous pain
and burden of being crucified, but what agonizes him or what pierces his
heart more is that his children whom he loved more dearly than himself
caused him to carry the heaviness of the cross. Nonetheless, he marched
willingly to his passion. Martyrdom driven by igniting love and selflessness;
what a courageous act it is. Gloomy and dire. That’s the most common
interpretation of the cross, but for me, it’s the most irreplaceable and most
precious thing that ever existed. It is where a selfless father, friend, brother,
and son sacrificed and proved without a doubt that being in love is
beautiful.

PRAYER:

Dearest Lord,

Through Christ’s intercession and loving face, inspire us to realize and

reflect on his passion and mighty deeds. Make our hearts burn with love so
that we will be more loving and better stewards of your creations. Ignite
the fire within us, so that we may inspire society to change for the good
and to encourage every citizen to offer their hands in building a stronger,
more resilient, and just nation for everyone. Guide us with your light so
that we won’t be separated from you. AMEN.

Written by Mhikaela M. Dela Rama, a student of 10- Faber.

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 Artwork by Evelyn Nycojle B. Plantado, a student of 10-Hurtado.

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THE ELEVENTH STATION:
Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the
Good Thief
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not
the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said
in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same
condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the
sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done
nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into
your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be
with me in Paradise."

(Luke 23: 39-43)

More often than not, most of us experience different trials and tribulations
in our lives. These problems could be big or small, trivial or significant.
Nevertheless, these problems still take a toll on our own lives that,
sometimes, it seems as if it’s better to just give up and not be hopeful at all.

In my own experience, this new normal we’re currently in has drastically

changed my life, just like what most people also experienced. As someone
who seems cheerful and optimistic on the outside, it’s truly surprising that
there are times when I lose even the tiniest sliver of hope for a better future.
There are times when I feel hopeless that things would go back to the way
they used to be, just like what we had before. There are times when it feels
hard to motivate myself to continue and to persevere in my studies. There
are times when it feels arduous to do even the simplest of things.

Ever so often, especially in this kind of situation, there comes a time when
we question God’s existence in our lives.

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Sometimes, we feel so lost and helpless because of what we’re going through
that it becomes hard to find the light amidst everything that has been
happening. Just like what had occurred in the reading, the Good thief had
also felt this way, and he even questioned God’s power to save mankind. He
wondered why God wasn’t there to help them and to save them from their
suffering, but He was there; in fact, He’s always been there and will
continue to be there for us.

This reading reminds us that we should always remember that God is always
there to guide us no matter what kind of problem we may possibly
encounter in our lives. It reminds us that we should never lose hope.
Though it may be hard to be hopeful in a certain situation (like the one
we’re currently in), there will always be a way for us to find the light amidst
the darkness.

When Jesus replied to the Good Thief, “Amen, I say to you, today you will
be with me in Paradise," it tells us that after everything we have
encountered something good will thrive from it. It’s a constant reminder
that we’ll be fine even after all the countless trials in our lives or we may be
even better than how we used to be. That kind of paradise is unwavering,
it’s constant, and it will always be there. Most of the time, we become
stronger after what has transpired. We learn a lot and we become better
people after going through it. Lastly, it reminds us that sooner or later, we
would eventually reach our desired destination in life: a life filled with
goodness, hope, happiness, and peace.

PRAYER:

Dearest Lord, please grant us the grace to be strong whenever we feel lost or
hopeless. Grant us the strength and courage to face whatever may come our
way. Make us aware that no matter how many adversities we face
throughout our lives, we would still have You by our side.

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Help us to be aware that You’re always there for us no matter what,
especially during the times when we unconsciously question Your existence
in our lives. Please always guide us in our journey as we continue to live our
lives knowing that we have You in every moment of every day. All this we
ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Written by Anne Guilbert Jose, a student of 10-Arrupe.

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Artwork by John Paul Obenia Tirao, a student of 10-Claver.

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THE TWELFTH STATION:
Jesus Speaks to His Mother and
the Disciple
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary
the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and
the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold,
your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from
that hour the disciple took her into his home.

John 19: 25-27

When times get rough, I tend to become self-centered and insensitive. I

forget that other people also have their own battles to fight. I also complain
when given responsibilities that I am not in the mood for. And when I am
busy or tired, I find myself unwilling to help others.

The twelfth station shows us that Jesus went beyond Himself. He still
heeded His mother’s needs by entrusting her to John’s care despite the pain
of being nailed to the cross and the shame of being naked in front of many.
Mary was also suffering at the time. Seeing her own son in agony was a pain
like no other, yet she continued to stay with Him in His last hours. John,
“the disciple whom Jesus loved”, also showed up at the foot of the cross and
followed Jesus’ command without hesitation. He whole-heartedly took
Mary home and bore the huge responsibility of caring for her.

Jesus, Mary, and John’s actions respectively serve as models of what to do

when we suffer, when we see others suffer, or when a responsibility is
bestowed on us.

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We should know how to politely ask for help when we need it. Equally
important, we should not spread ourselves too thin, but we should do our
best to serve others when we can. In our daily lives, serving others even
when not convenient looks like helping a classmate with schoolwork even
if we have ours to finish, listening to a friend’s personal problems even if we
have ours to deal with, or massaging our parents’ tired hands even if ours
need to be soothed, too.

Things do not go our way at times. There will always be more things to do,
circumstances to consider, and obstacles to encounter. With this, fostering
kindness, compassion, and patience is of prime importance.

Living in this fast-paced and complex world makes us desire for belonging
and meaning, which we can only attain by first realizing that the world
does not revolve around us—that we serve a cause greater than ourselves.
With God’s guidance, with our arms entwined, and with our hearts ready,
we can power through whatever life throws at us.

Now, we ask ourselves: How often do we decline calls for help from others?
How do we view and approach God’s commands? Do we give them our
time and attention? Or do we trivialize the value of the responsibilities He
has entrusted to us?

PRAYER:

Lord,

Remind us that we cannot thrive in this world alone. Grant us the strength
and courage to reach out to others and ask for their help in times of need.
Forgive us for the times we failed to see life in perspective and be persons
for others. Teach us to look beyond ourselves with sincerity and without
complaint. Amen.

Written by Jasmine Hyacinth A. Ocoma, a student of 10-Faber.

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Artwork by Dionalyn C. Sumpay, a student of 8-Goto.

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THE THIRTEENTH STATION:
Jesus Dies on the Cross
It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three
in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the
temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father,
into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he
breathed his last.

(Luke 23: 44-46)

Not once in my whole life have I dwelled too long on the topic of death.
Of course, I talked about it, but the topic gave off a sense of insignificance
to me. The times that I did give death much thought though, I always
imagined these: faces painted with sorrow, others with a glint in their eyes
(somewhat rejoicing my passing), shoulders hunched on old plastic chairs,
and wrinkly fingers wrapped around lit candles—the typical melancholic
situation of a funeral. Even now as I write this, I think of death as
unmoving, calculating, waiting, as if it were watching me at a glance, but
still, I am not bothered by death. When movies depict a scene of a character
dying, I always thought it looked so extra (the characters mostly died for
nothing, after all), that it only leaves me feeling bitter, miserable that I had
to witness it. Poems, although, are another case for me because my favorite
writer romanticizes death and correlates it with love. “Sorry about the blood
in your mouth, I wish it was mine, I couldn’t get the boy to kill me but I wore
his jacket for the longest time.”, “Tell me we’re dead and I’ll love you even
more.” —death is nothing but a fleeting thought in a lover’s head (excerpts
are from Little Beast and The Torn-Up Road by Richard Siken).

In this station, where Jesus dies on the cross, death is everything but
insignificant: His death—a sanctuary for mankind, a staple image of love,
kindness, and mercy.

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His passing, metaphorized by the eclipse, by the temple’s ruin. This is what
mankind has brought upon themselves: the blood of an innocent man on
their hands, yet mankind shows no remorse. Mankind continues to oppress,
mankind continues to spill blood, mankind, in the end, is Death himself.
With the status quo filled with streets covered in blood, guns pointed at
people’s foreheads, nations planning invasions, minorities struggling to fight
for their rights, it all seems like mankind has not learned a single lesson
about His death for they are still waiting, expecting that a Savior will once
again take the bullet for their own mistakes. It is surely grim and evil that
history repeats itself, but it is the truth. Jesus’ love for man will continue to
prove that there is hope in expecting change. His persistent presence and
glory continue to advise communities, strengthening their faith, and most of
the time, His presence prevents the worst. His endless love will forever
remain in the world, in the present, His being lives on in the kind stranger
one can meet out on the streets: a parent, a sibling, a friend, or a lover.
These people who, with all their might, have the capability to die for their
loved ones just as He did. But one thing is certain, even in the darkest times,
Jesus believes in mankind.

PRAYER:

Dearest God, let Your belief remain. Lend us Your willing and trustworthy
hand that we may find the way to end our sufferings. Believe in us so that
we may correct our mistakes, learn from our shortcomings, and build a
better tomorrow. Guide us in our journey as we continue to battle
oppression and lift up the plights of the marginalized. Lord, have mercy on
those who go against You; enlighten their minds so that they may see the
consequences of their actions. God heals our troubled souls and forgives us
for He is the Savior, the light of our way, the one and only Salvation. We
thank You for Your powerful presence and we offer You our gratitude, our
faith, and our trust. We thank You for Your never-ending love. In Jesus’
name, Amen.

Written by Mary Margarette F. Asinas, a student of 10-Faber.

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 Artwork by Asi A. Alvarez, a student of 7-Beyzym.

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THE FOURTEENTH STATION:
Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named
Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for
the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the
body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in the new tomb that he
had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to
the tomb and departed.

(Matthew 27: 57-60)

Holy week, in the Christian church, is the week between Palm Sunday and
Easter, observed with special solemnity as a time of devotion to the passion
of Jesus Christ, and symbolizes our devotion and praise to God.

When I was seven years old, as I can remember, it was the first time I
watched the Stations of the Cross, wherein people reenact the story of Jesus’
way to the cross. And while watching, I asked myself, “Why did they do
this to Jesus?” This was the question playing in my mind at that time. My
tears really dropped as if my heart was pierced; I felt the love of God for me
through His Son, who suffered so much for my sin and the sins of mankind.

As a Christian, it is our tradition to pray for the eternal rest of someone’s

soul. Last February 13, 2021, my dear teacher Sir Karl died. It was the first
time I attended a funeral, and I was devastated because I didn’t talk to him
for the past 2 years after school. And the happy memories came back. Just
like our memories, the memory of the death of Jesus Christ is in our minds
and hearts.

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Matthew 27: 57- 60: As evening approached, there came a rich man from
Arimathea, named Joseph, who’s himself a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate. He
asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it will be given to him. Joseph took
the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, then he placed it in his own new
tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a big stone in front of the
entrance and went away.

With those stories and experiences, I realize that life is too short. We are
given a chance to live; to reach our dream and do good things for others,
for we are Christian and His children; for us to be in His Paradise when it
is our time.

PRAYER:

Dear God, thank You for bringing us Your Son, Jesus, our savior. We
thank You for doing the big sacrifice for us people, who didn’t believe and
trust You in the first place. Thank You for the unconditional love that
You have shown. We honor those sacrifices by praising, believing, and
always trusting in You. We ask for Your guidance and grace to help us
enlighten our minds and to do more good things for others. May You also
make us realize our mistakes. We ask this in Your Name. AMEN.

Written by Queen Monica Q. Monit, a student of 7-Realino.

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Artwork by Aiyanna Keisha Fajardo, a student of 7-Garate.

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THE FIFTEENTH STATION:
Jesus is Raised From the Dead
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James,
and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early
when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb.
They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from
the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone
had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a
young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were
utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of
Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place
where they laid him.”

(Mark 16:1-6)

“Ang hirap na mabuhay. Hirap na hirap na akong intindihin lahat ng kailangang

alamin. Ayaw ko na!”. A lot of people nowadays doubt themselves. They stop
believing in themselves. They stop believing that they can do it. Little do
they know that they can rise like the eagle reaching the sky, like stars
shining bright like diamonds.

God gave us a beautiful life. He’s the reason why we are breathing, why we
are smiling, why we feel happiness. All that we have to do is to appreciate
every millisecond, second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and year in our
lives. We only live once, so it’s right to make the most out of it.

I would like to share my personal experience with everyone who is reading

this reflection. I experienced a big problem when I was still in grade school.
What was the big problem? My parents separated. I endured so much pain
at that time that I needed someone to be by my side all the time, to help
myself, and to be someone who has a strong heart and spirit.

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A teacher of mine told me something that I carried with me until the
present time. “You are experiencing these kinds of pain because God wants
to test how strong you are.” It is true that God is there through our ups and
downs. He’s watching every single step we take. From then, I never let my
problems control me or urge me to do things that are against His will. I
trust Him with all my heart and I believe that He’ll be with me for the rest
of my life.
Don’t end your life because it’s hard. Don’t end it because you’re not
getting satisfaction. Believe in God’s plans. He’s the best planner that you
could ever have.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,

You provided me with the best blessing in this world: the blessing to live.
You gave me the energy to continue the days that are waiting for me. Even
in the hardest of times, You were there holding my hand. I am deeply sorry
for doubting myself sometimes. I am sorry for doubting my capabilities. I
am sorry for the times that I did not appreciate the events that are going on
in my life. Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for guiding me to
the light. Thank you for teaching me how to be strong and how to conquer
my fears. Even though I already found myself in a place where I am happier
and freer, please continue to guide me to the right path. Never let go of my
hand, O Lord. AMEN.

Written by Alliana Mae Alvarez, a student of 10-Arrupe.

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Sa Mata ng Bata
Reflections and Artworks on the Suffering, Death,
and Resurrection of Jesus by Students of
Ateneo de Naga University Junior High School

Ignatian Year | 2021-2022