'Hello! I'm here!'

THE STORY is told about an 85-year-old widow who went on a blind date with a 90-year-old man. When she returned, she was upset. "What happened, mother?" asked her daughter. "I had to slap his face three times." "You mean he got fresh?" "No," she answered, "I thought he was dead!"

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Many of us go through life half-dead, burdened by so much concerns, problems and difficulties, needing to be slapped on the face in order to be waked up from our misery and lethargy. In today's Gospel (Mt. 11-25-30) Jesus reminds us: "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." All you who are tired and exhausted with earthly cares, hello! All you who are so dizzy solving all sorts of problems, hello! All you who are getting desperate over your illnesses or weaknesses, hello! Whoever you are, whatever your situation, listen to God. "Hello! I'm here."

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What is hidden from the learned and the wise and is revealed to the childlike? Simple faith and trust in the divine. Once a person forgets who he or she is and forgets who God is, then trouble begins. Once a person forgets his or her mortality, his or her "givenness," his or her dispensability, and his or her dependence on and need for God, then we have a situation where a person thinks he or she can go on and do everything without God. A simple case of mistaken identity, wherein an instrument thinks that he or she is the source, wherein a creature thinks that he or she is the creator.

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In a recent recollection, we were led into prayer by the facilitator using a computer and PowerPoint presentation. The silence and the solemnity of the moment were shattered when the sound "your battery is low" was heard from the computer. It was a beautiful reminder for all of us that we cannot, we should not rely on our batteries but on God's power.

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It was a long and lonely road for Angel and Marilou Racoma who for almost four years -- from the day she was born --had to bear the pain of seeing their daughter Belle fight for life. It was a series of going in and out of the hospital and all sorts of medical procedures on Belle's frail body, not to mention the financial burden that went along with it. Finally, Belle's body could take no more, and she expired yesterday morning. I admire the willingness of Angel and Marilou to give it their all, but I admire more their surrendering to the Divine Will. Yes, love oftentimes is letting go and letting be. Belle left behind grieving but stronger parents. Throughout the whole ordeal, her parents became closer to God and to each other. They learned in a very concrete way to surrender everything to the Divine Will in prayer. Because Angel and Marilou came to the Lord, they found rest from their labors and burdens. Are you still restless and burdened? Come to the Lord, and He will give you rest.

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Some weeks ago, I wrote about a priest who, not knowing what to say to a convict about to be executed on the electric chair, just blurted out, "More power to you, son!" Well, there is a sequel to the story. After hearing the priest's words, the convict said "Father, I have one last request. Please stay with me and just hold my hands when they turn the power on." I write this as a reminder to us all that there is no easy way out in everything. The mess that we make will sooner or later dirty us and imprison us. Oh sure, some people get away or seem to get away with the mess they have made. In the Philippines especially, I often get the feeling that crooks go free and continue to thrive, and even continue to lead. Well, they can make a fool out of millions, and even can make a fool out of themselves, but they cannot make a fool out of God. To them I say, come to God in humility and true repentance, and He will give you rest.

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Many of us need to hit rock bottom, need to be slapped on the face, so to say, before we come to our senses. As long as we are in the stage of denial, blame, or anger, we cannot resolve anything. True conversion has no hidden agenda, no plans. But to someone who allows oneself to be embraced by God and has the willingness to give up the old self in response to God's forgiveness and love, "I'm sorry" is a complete sentence. Whoever says "I'm sorry" but goes on to affix the words "if," "but," "in order that," is not really, really sorry. He or she has not yet hit rock bottom.

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Our beloved Jaime Cardinal Sin was laid to rest this June 28, 2005. Mission accomplished! It was not easy, but he stood for justice and truth all the way. If he were still alive, what would he tell our people in these trying times? Where would he lead his flock? We miss him, his clarity and firm resolve and humor during these confusing and crucial times. Dear Cardinal Sin, pray for us, pray for our beloved Philippines!

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, when too engrossed with earthly cares, slap my face, and tell me: "Hello! I'm here!" Amen.