Signs

DID you hear about a man who was so obsessed with signs so that he even followed the railroad sign "Stop, look and listen" to choose his wife? And so when he saw his future wife, he stopped, then he looked, and now that they're married, he has no choice but to listen.

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In today's Gospel (Lk. 21, 15-19), Jesus precisely tells us not to be concerned, and not to worry about the end-time. He tells us not to follow prophets of doom and gloom. He further tells us not to be frightened or terrified by catastrophes and signs from heaven. He also warns us that there will be persecutions, but all these should lead us to deeper commitment to our mission; to perseverance, and greater trust in the Lord who will not allow even a hair on our heads to perish. Fear is useless. What is needed is love and trust. Fear is from the evil one. Courage is from the Holy Spirit. Fear freezes. Courage releases.

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Human as we are, we do not, and we cannot know everything. That is why we often turn to signs, superstitions, prophecies, feng shui, fortunetellers, numerology, astrology, etc. People who are involved in such practices do not have full trust in the Lord. We all, in one way or another, have our "safety measures," (panigurado lang) but we must learn to set them aside and hold on only to God. Do we still cling on to other "gods" aside from the God who has assured and promised that He will be with us always? Are there still areas in our lives that have not been redeemed by the power of resurrection?

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We do not belittle signs. Signs lead us somewhere. The problem arises when these signs lead us nowhere. A sign is a medium with a message. It can happen however that too focused on the medium, we can forget the message it is pointing to. Like Christmas, for example. Some people can become so focused on the trimmings and signs of the Christmas season and end up not seeing Christ at all.

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Signs serve as a notice or a reminder. Nature is one big sign of God's presence and love. We too as persons should be signs of God's presence and love. Are we living reminders of God's love? When people meet and encounter us, do they end up knowing and feeling that there is, after all, a God in this world so full of misery, poverty and want? What are you a sign of? Who are you a sign of?

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After a funeral Mass for Vicente Quintos at the Pinaglabanan Church last Tuesday night, a man approached me and timidly asked me to pray over his sick brother at the ICU. It was late, I was tired, even scared thinking of the possibility I was being set up. But I agreed and drove with him to the San Juan Medical Hospital, where I prayed over his 35-year-old brother who was in a coma. I was so touched by the man's love for his younger brother and his big faith in God. But what moved me to tears was when the man put into my hands some coins in gratitude for my going to the hospital for his brother. At first, I refused and assured him it was all right. But upon his insistence I received the coins. When I got home, I counted P42 in 5- and 1-peso coins, and I have kept these, to remind me that there are so many people who are so poor materially but so rich spiritually. I realized so many things that night because of that one person who truly loved. Shame on us who have much but do not truly love.

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We look for leaders who are supposed to be signs of integrity and service, but nowadays we just end up with a sigh. Where have all the simple, self-sacrificing, humble and honest leaders gone? We need leaders to inspire us, not to spite us; leaders to cheer us, not to cheat us; leaders to lead us, not to bleed us. Yes, we need leaders who are visible signs on our road to recovery and progress.

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The Eucharist is an outward sign of the real presence of the Lord in our midst. The Eucharistic League of Adorers will sponsor the 17th Eucharistic Congress at the St. Joseph's Convent of Perpetual Adoration at 71 Hemady St., New Manila, Quezon City. For a day, on Nov. 29, 2004, be with Him in prayer, adoration and quiet listening to spirit-inspired talks by Fr. Emmanuel Cruz, Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite, SSP, and Msgr. Sabino Vengco Jr. Registration starts at 7 a.m. Lunch and snacks will be served. I will be conducting the same recollection at the SSpSAP Convent of Peace in Cebu on Dec. 21, starting at 2:30 p.m.

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Inviting you for a local Marian Pilgrimage to Naga, Legazpi, and Sorsogon on Nov. 24-26. For those who like to join us, please contact Executive Resources +63 2 5238581 to 89 or +63 2 7217457. On this Marian and Eucharistic year, let us go back and hold on to Mama Mary and the Eucharist. As a people, and as a nation, let us stay focused on the Lord and on Mama Mary amid many disheartening signs.

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A moment with the Lord

Lord, let my life be a sign, not a sigh. Amen.