On the road

SOMEONE once said that conversation between Adam and Eve must have been difficult and boring at times. Why? Because they had nobody to talk about. In the same way, it must be awfully boring if there are no challenges and sufferings in life.

* * *

The Gospel today (Jn. 12, 20-33) reminds us of the inevitability of suffering in our lives. "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat, but if it dies, it produces much fruit." Sorry, there is no other way to a meaningful life leading to eternal life but the long, narrow, winding, thorny way, the way of the cross that leads to heaven. There is another way-it is wide, well paved, comfortable and straight- straight to hell. If you are living a comfortable, easy and pleasurable life right now, be careful. You may be on the wrong road. The Lenten season is precisely the opportune time to check our speed, our bearings and our directions on the road of life.

* * *

To stay on the road of the cross, one must be strong. Proper nutrition and exercise are a must. Are you exercising properly? During the Lenten season, someone advised that we must avoid the following exercises: jumping into conclusions; stretching the truth; lifting yourself; lying down on the job; and pushing your luck. Instead, jump with joy; stretch your patience; lift the downtrodden; lie no more; and push (pray until something happens!).

* * *

Who do you think you are? If you see yourself as a self-sufficient individual with a personal agenda in this world, you are making a big mistake. You are out of focus. You and I are servants. A servant is one who is sent, and one who follows a master. You and I have an errand, a mission for someone greater than you and I. His vision is our vision. His mission is our mission. This requires listening, obedience and commitment to Him. In other words, we must lose ourselves in Him. The irony of it all is that those who refuse to lose themselves in something or someone greater than themselves, never ever really find themselves, while those who lose themselves literally find themselves in the process. You don't know who you are? You can't find yourself? Maybe you are looking too much at yourself.

* * *

We are all servants, following one Master, on this dusty road of life, so we must help one another. God forbid that we become a cross to one another! Are you a cross to other people? Are you the source of other's suffering, headaches and heartaches? Remember the driver's prayer? "Lord, grant me a steady hand, a watchful eye, so that no one will be hurt as I pass by." How many have you hurt already as you passed by? How many more?

* * *

If only our loving were as contagious as the SARS virus that is plaguing our world right now... If only our loving were as generous and strong as the bombs being dropped in Baghdad... If only? Yes. Possible. Only if we bend our knees to God, and bend over as brothers and sisters again. And hey, don't forget we are all just passing by. Let's leave this world a better and cleaner place than when we first walked it. There are others walking behind us.

* * *

There are times when we'd rather not go where the road leads us because of fear, or simply because the road ahead is difficult to tread. Like this Saturday for example. With all the bombings and the SARS scare, I had to go to Davao to fulfill a talking engagement with the DMIs and with the Pink Sisters. That meant taking the 5 a.m. flight and the 6 p.m. return flight on same day. Why? Because we are on the road and must keep walking wherever the Master points us to. We walk with faith because of the assurance that He is with us, and He is there, before us.

* * *

Here is a song, a love song, a goodbye song, a graduation song, maybe even Jesus' last supper song, that I have treasured in my heart all these years: "The time has come for me to say goodbye. No sad farewells will we share. We've laughed at the little things and cried along the way. No words can say how much we've shared. WALK IN THE WORLD FOR ME. SING A HAPPY MELODY. AND KEEP MY MEMORY NOT FAR AWAY. MAY YOU FIND THAT LIFE CAN BRING ALL THE BEST OF EVERYTHING. TAKE SPECIAL CARE OF YOU. FOR ME TODAY.

"We've walked together on the dusty road of life. But, kept our eyes upon a star. I've come to know the friend you are..."

If I'll ever get to meet you sometime, tell me. I'll gladly sing this song for you.

* * *

Inviting you for a pilgrimage to Akita, Japan and Naju, Korea to encounter the visionary healers of the said places. Leaving April 23 till the 30th. Call +632 721-7457 or +632 523-8581.

Inviting you all for Palm Sunday Family Recollection on April 13, 8 to 12 at the Meralco Theater. Start the Holy Week light. See you there. Admission is free.

Lord, on the road, help me to keep my eyes focused on you and help me carry my brothers and sisters, too. Amen.