Saturday, October 10, 2015

Our Lady of Casanayan

In 1829, Maria Basanes died from a heart attack at the age of 47.  She was buried in the town of Casanayan in the far northeast corner of Capiz Province.  Ten years later, the cemetery had to be relocated.  During the transfer, Maria’s coffin fell open.  To the surprise of the workers, Maria’s body was perfectly preserved, so the story goes.  The locals declared it a miracle, propped up her clothed body inside a tall glass cabinet, and set in the corner of a small house.  To this day, the faithful come to sit in front of Maria with their rosary beads and pray for miracles in their own lives.

In 1999, I traveled to Casanayan to attend a funeral.  With time to spare, I made a side trip to see the Lady of Casanayan.  I stepped inside the house where two ladies were seated counting their prayers with rosaries.  In front of them, in the corner cabinet, was Maria.  Poor Maria.  The past 170 years hadn’t been good to her.  Her “perfectly preserved” body was nothing but coal-black leather skin covering frail decayed bones, what you would expect for someone her age.  I guess the imagination can run wild when folks are desperate for a miracle.

This morning, I returned to Casanayan, a 3 hour drive weaving through corn fields and mountain passes.  My friends and I conducted a training for about 30 people, crowded in a hollow-block chapel with a tin roof and dirt floor.  Palm and banana trees shaded nearby bamboo houses.  About 40 feet away, the ocean tossed waves onto the sandy beach, where we baptized several people earlier this year.  Now, God’s kingdom has an outpost in this remote town.  After the training, I offered to take my friends to meet Maria Basanes, the Lady of Casanayan.  They declined, but said that the story sounded familiar to other such stories throughout the country where superstitions and folk-lore abound. 

I reflected on the fact that the Philippines has a tremendous degree of religious freedom, much more so than present-day America.  In the past, I have shared the gospel in public schools.  Teachers will dismiss their class in order to allow their students to hear the American who can speak their language.  I have conducted Bible studies inside City Hall.  We’ve showed The Jesus Film in the town square.  I can pass out gospel tracs at the airport.  Even street preaching is allowed.  A couple of weeks ago I preached in a public gym, with loud speakers broadcasting the love of Jesus. 

While such openness allows us to share God’s truths, it also brings opportunities for deception, with the Lady of Casanayan being one example.  In the air above the Philippine islands, spiritual battles are taking place between good and evil, between the servants of God and the angels of darkness.  Although the modern world does not give much attention to this country, God takes these battles seriously, for all people are of equal worth.  We take these battles seriously, too.  Thank you for your support in allowing us to be in the battle, and to “sound forth the Word of the Lord.”

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