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'I' witness
THE story is told about a teacher who asked a boy what would
happen if she cut off one of his ears.
"My hearing will be affected," was the boy's response.
"What if I cut off both of your ears?" the teacher
pushed on.
"My vision will be affected, ma'am," he replied.
"Why?"
"Because my eyeglasses would fall," the boy explained.
* * *
In today's Gospel (Lk 24, 35-48), the Risen Lord again helps
the disciples to hear, see and understand the resurrection
and the subsequent mission that goes with it. The Lord tries
to make them go beyond their initial doubts, fears, amazement
and joy, and slowly leads them toward the mission outside
themselves.
And so it can happen that if we are glued to our personal
quests and questionings, we may never move on toward the big
world out there-a world that awaits our love, service, friendship
and sharing.
* * *
"You are witnesses of these things." Has it ever occurred
to you that by virtue of your Christian baptism, you are supposed
to be witnesses of the good news? We all are supposed to be
bearers and promoters of Christian values.
* * *
Nowadays, we hear of personalities who are product endorsers.
I understand that they get paid a lot for endorsing this or
that particular brand. Every Christian is and should be an
endorser of Christ. What are you endorsing in your life? Aside
from yourself, whom are you endorsing and promoting in your
life?
* * *
Sorry. There are no material perks when you become an endorser
of Christ. There are no talent fees or endorsement fees involved.
(If you happen to have such perks, maybe you are not endorsing
him fully!) But one thing sure, there is meaning and peace-a
kind of peace which the world cannot give or take away. They
who truly endorse Christ may often have empty hands, but they
have fully loaded hearts, laden with peace and love. And the
returns are really "out of this world"!
* * *
The best cure for the "I" disease is to remove
one's focus from the self and shift it instead on others,
especially the suffering and less fortunate. Recently, I was
at the Philippine Children's Hospital for a Mass when I experienced
an unforgettable moment: I was asked to bless the little children
at the ICU.
It is heartbreaking to see people suffer, but doubly heartbreaking
to see little children suffer. God must feel sad when He sees
His children suffer, and doubly sad when He sees the little
children and the little ones in our society suffer.
* * *
Archbishop Oscar Cruz mentioned in his homily, during Bishop
Mario Peralta's installation as coadjutor of the diocese of
Alaminos last April 28, the threefold task of the bishops,
the clergy and the laity: to teach, to sanctify and to bear
witness as prophets. The good archbishop noted that the hardest
thing to do is the third task where, admittedly, we have often
failed. For example, it is not easy to stand up for Christ
on the socio-economic-political issues confronting us today.
Being a prophet and being persecuted for being one are an
integral part of our being witnesses to the Word in the world.
Have you ever been persecuted because of your faith? If not,
maybe, because you are more focused on the profits and not
on being a prophet.
* * *
One more day and it's May, the month of flowers, the month
of Mary. Once again, as we go through the many problems and
issues that confront us as a people and as a nation, let us
hold on to our mother who is deeply aware of the sufferings
of her children. Soon, the good will be rewarded, and the
evildoers will be cast down. Lying and falsehood are not forever.
Righteousness, truth and justice will prevail in our beloved
land. Let's pray for this intention in our "Walk with
God" to Manaoag on Saturday, May 6, starting at 6 a.m.
from Urdaneta church.
* * *
Did you know that St. Ezekiel Moreno, canonized in 1990 by
Pope John Paul II, was ordained in the Philippines and spent
15 years of mission work here? On the occasion of his 100th
death anniversary and the 400th anniversary of the Augustinian
Recollects in the Philippines, Fr. Ferdinand Hernando, OAR,
together with co-workers Sonia Roco, Rose Orbos, Boying Banzon
and others, is organizing a caravan that will start in Bataan
on May 1 and in Pangasinan on May 3 and 4.
* * *
Did you read how one newspaper highlighted the issue of death
penalty? "Bilibid or Not!" As we go through the
many struggles and tasks in this life, let us not forget some
humor.
* * *
A moment with the Lord:
Lord, heal me of my "I" disease, so that I can
be an "I" witness to your love and peace. Amen.
Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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