Encountering God

QUESTION: Why do mountain climbers rope themselves together?
Answer: To prevent the sensible ones from going home.

* * *

The Transfiguration (Mt. 17:1-9) was Jesus' way of "roping together" the disciples Peter, James and John with Himself. The experience of seeing His face shine like the sun, and His clothes become white as light was for the disciples a peak experience that helped strengthen their belief in Him. It was also the occasion for the Father to give witness to Jesus' divinity: "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him."

* * *

Like the disciples, we all need a religious experience, an intimate encounter with the divine to help us on, especially when we go through dark valleys. Have you had a religious experience, a moment when God became so real in your life? If you've had, thank God, and keep going back to it. If you haven't, maybe you haven't been listening enough; or, maybe, you didn't give it much of a value or importance. Do you value, do you cherish, do you appreciate God and your experience of God?

* * *

It is hard to describe a religious experience. In fact, words can't describe it and can even just put a cloud over it. But he/she who has gone through one knows in his/her heart that something qualitatively new and wonderful has happened in his/her life. Though beyond words, a religious experience becomes manifest in the subsequent changes in a person's life. There is a "honeymoon period," wherein a person becomes more loving, more prayerful and literally more in love with God. It is a time, too, when the devil becomes more busy in a person's life. Temptations and trials can intensify, but the memory of the religious experience can help a person go on to become a better and stronger disciple of Christ. The closer we come to God, the more we will be tempted and tried.

* * *

Remember that story of the dog that saw a rabbit? As the dog pursues the rabbit, many other dogs join in the chase, barking with passion. But soon after, when they experience fatigue, they drop out one by one, except the dog that saw the rabbit. He continues the pursuit and perseveres because he has seen the rabbit. A religious experience is something like that. Once a person has experienced God, he/she will never be the same again. But without a religious experience, a person could end up with cold religion, empty rituals and practices, and legalistic dogma.

* * *

The problem with many so-called religious leaders without a real experience with God is that, they don't have passion. They muffle the agenda of the Holy Spirit with their own worldly agenda of fame, riches and self-glorification. Worse are those who do not have passion and compassion as well, so full of greed, arrogance and pride. We need religious leaders who specialize in passion, not fashion; compassion, not computation.

* * *

Meeting Bishop Camilo Gregorio in Batanes was some sort of a "transfiguration moment" for me. I was so edified with his warmth, sincere hospitality and austere living. He invited me and Fr. John O'Mahony, SVD to his simple house -- we were fetched with his simple car -- to a simple dinner. Here was a man who did not mind serving his guests, taking the picture of the group, and even capping the night with his music on the piano. "Servire in caritate" (Serve in love) is his Episcopal motto. I think it's his way of life.

* * *

A "sermon on the mount" sort of moment occurred in our Mass by the shores of Mahatao, Batanes during our first pilgrimage trip last January 26 to 28. The sound system conked out. To remedy the situation, I used the "bulong" (whispering) system during the homily. I "preached" to the 500 or so people gathered for the Mass by whispering a message to two people, with the instruction that they pass it on and tell the others to do with it likewise. It worked! All the people actually heard, passed on and remembered more clearly the message whispered unto them, and by them. Truth does not need to be loud. In fact, truth needs only to be whispered from the heart in order to be heard.

* * *

It is interesting to note that the Ivatans of today still catch fish just for the day. It is their way of being kind to nature. Anything extra is usually shared with others. Isn't that what we pray for in the Our Father when we say "Give us this day our daily bread"? You who tend to hoard and to stock up in greed, be reminded of the spirit of giving and sharing.

* * *

Instead of saying "tao po" when knocking at doors, the Ivatans say "Dios" to announce their presence. Isn't that a wonderful reminder that it is God who is present in every person? It is God who comes knocking at our door to visit us, or to ask for our help. May we become more aware of God's presence in our midst and may we make him more present in our midst. May we, who have encountered God, in turn make Him present in others because they encountered us.

* * *

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, because I have encountered you, may others encounter you in me also. Amen.

E-mail jorbos@manila-online.net