Suffering

"That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick ..." Mk. 1,32

That we suffer is a truth we can not deny. It is experienced by all from birth until death. Suffering, however, is not in the original intention of God when He created us. He had willed that we all enjoy eternal happiness with Him.

Suffering is a result of sin, man's rebellion against the goodness of God. Evil brings about suffering.

But we can fight evil, and avoid the pain and suffering caused by man's evil deeds. Still, even though we have fought evil, and stood up for what is right and good, suffering remains a part of our lives.

And when in these moments of suffering and pain, we can only open our hearts to our Lord who, though sinless, suffered the pain of the cross. Let our suffering become our crosses. For in the cross, we find salvation. In the cross, we find grace. In the cross, we find the glory of the Suffering Christ.

A cross is a suffering with Christ. A cross is a suffering in faith. A cross is a suffering in trust in God's mercy. A cross is a suffering leading us to sanctity, and eternal salvation.

May God in His mercy remove the pain and suffering we have today. But, let us also pray that when the pain persists and our suffering continues, may we have the grace and the strength to endure it, and with faith, carry the cross we have. In trust, we believe that God will not abandon us; He will give us the necessary strength and the grace to make our cross light, with Him carrying us.

Panmutektekan: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

For the reflection on the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B), click on the above link. The reflection is in Pangasinan.

To see the other reflections and homily directory in Pangasinan, please visit this link.

The Shepherd

"They were like sheep without a shepherd." Mt. 6, 34

A shepherd does these among other things for his sheep. He feeds them. In doing so, he looks for the best place for his sheep to feed. The shepherd provides for all the things needed by his sheep.

The shepherd defends his sheep. He fights for them against the wild animals and thieves who want to harm his sheep.

The shepherd looks for his lost sheep. He goes after them when the sheep will wander from the flock.

The shepherd then provides for his sheep. He defends them. He looks for them.

So our God does these to us. He provides for everything we need. He defends us from the evil one. He looks for us when we are lost. We need only to trust in Jesus, our Shepherd. We listen to His voice. We follow His commands. We obey His will.

Obedience

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. .... They went out and preached ... (Mk. 6, 8.12)

It was a difficult command. The Lord told his disciples to preach but not to bring anything for their journey. Nothing.

But the apostles obeyed the Lord. They went and preached, with nothing in their purse, no sandals on their feet.

Obedience is best learned in moments of difficulties and crisis. In times of grief and sorrow. If we are still able to say, "Lord, let your will be done" in moments of pain and grief, then that is true obedience.

A Wonderful God

"And he marveled because of their unbelief."Mk. 6,6

He offered his services to drive us for our regular barangay masses. He would ask the schedule of the masses, and was always there to drive us to the barangay using the ever-reliable red jeepney of the parish.

Curious why he was doing this, since he was not known to offer anything before, not even an hour of his time, I asked him, "Akin et mimila kan lanang ed sikami ey? "

"Ta walay kekerewen ko," he explained as he told me that he was asking a favor from God.

Then, I was not able to see him for a while after that conversation. When I saw him, I asked him why he was not going with us anymore.

He smiled, scratched his head. "Agamuran ko la, Father!" He has already received God's favor. And he has stopped waiting for the unexpected and the wonders coming from God.

What the Lord has given us is not yet the fullness of what God can and will give us. Our God is a wonderful God! Let us allow Him to bring wonders in our lives! Let us continue to open our hearts and soul to the limitless and most wonderful blessings the Lord can and will bring us.