The lonely road

LAST June 2, I had a sick call at St. Luke's Hospital. Upon reaching the CCU, I was told that the patient was no longer there. I felt bad that I did not make it there on time. Just when I was feeling regretful, the nurse said: "Oh, she's now at the operating room, Father." So I rushed to the OR, and met Dr. Castro. I told him I wanted to bless still the patient if at all possible. "You're still on time Father" he told me, and instructed me to put on the gown and mask and brought me straight to the OR, where I was able to bless the patient, and the doctors, the nurses before they began their procedures. I was amazed at their openness, hospitality, welcome. I really felt good about the appreciation of the patient, and the whole OR staff. Yes, it was a meaningful OR moment (even if I was wearing, for the first time in my life, a surgical gown colored pink!)

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The appreciation and welcome I experienced is exactly the opposite of what Jesus experienced in today's Gospel (Mk. 6, 1-6). He was not welcome in His very own home town. He was rejected by His very own people. Why? As he had often done before, He chose the lonely, not the popular road, because of his mission for the Father. Have you ever taken the "lonely road"? Or do you always take the lovely road?

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The "road less traveled" is oftentimes the lonely, lowly road. Naturally, we all want the easy road, the road of popularity and comfort, the road of ease and glory. But Jesus, by His word-example, has often taught us the road of hiddenness, humility, honesty and holiness is the road to take if we are to live a meaningful life. There are times in life when we are called to walk the lonely road. At such times, we must be brave. It is an abandoned, untreated road. The only assurance is that it is the right road to take. And that God is there.

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Why? What do you want in life? Applause What do you want from people? Approval? What are you so busy with? Provisions along the way? What are you so concerned with? Positions and achievements? What are you looking forward to? A comfortable retirement? How about God's applause? How about self-approval? How about personhood? How about living a real life now, and eternal life hereafter? How about you, the real you? He who has never taken the lonely road will never know what inner peace and contentment is.

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Someone once said that the surest way to be lonesome is to always tell the truth. Rightly so. Jesus did so. That's why many disliked, even hated Him. That's why He was crucified in the end. In the eyes of the world, Jesus was not successful because He chose the lonely road of honesty, righteousness, principles and sacrifice. If somewhere, sometime in your life you choose the "lonely road" never regret it. Perhaps it brought you pain and indeed even loneliness, but, it brought out the best in you.

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Nothing substantial really happens on the lovely road. It's all fun, entertainment and easy time, on the outside. But on the inside, there is emptiness, vanity and fleeting joys, and you end up really, really lonely. On the other hand, the lonely road leads to real meaning, contentment and peace. It's a difficult road, but it is the road that leads to self-worth, and a meaningful life. Okey nga road!

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Those who are on the lonely road, must have a code that they can live by, namely the four "Fors:" FORget; FORgive; FORgo; and FOR God.

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FORget what the world owes you and concentrate on what you owe the world. FORget who you are, and remember the big number of people around you. FORget your personal troubles and battles, and help out in the bigger and more real battles all around you.

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FORgive the wrongs this world ha done to you…FORgive people, their failures, their weaknesses, their incompetence. And learn to FORgive yourself too.

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FORgo those things that you can have, but should not. FORgo those that can give you momentary pleasures but in the end can harm you. FORgo because if you always go for it, you may end up a goner in the end.

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FOR God. Anything done and offered FOR God is never wasted nor gone. We are able to go through trials, undergo labor and hard work, criticism, and even persecution through Him, with Him, in Him. Yeah, all FOR GOD! Learn to offer and surrender for God. Ipasa-Diyos mo na.

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Do you want healing of your mind? Learn how to FORget. Do you want healing of your heart? Learn to FORgive. Do you want healing of your body? Learn to FORgo. And do you want, a total healing in your life? Learn to "FOR God" everything.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to forget, forgive, forgo, all for you whenever I am called to take the lonely road. Amen.