INTIMATE AND OPEN

Sa ebabghelyo’y kapansin-pansing inilayo ni  Jesus mula sa karamihan ang ipinamanhik sa Kanyang lalaking bingi at utal.  Ninanais ni Jesus na ito ay maging isang makahulugan pagtatago ng isip sa isip, puso sa puso.

And there, in the stillness of that moment, Jesus touches and heals him. “Huwag kang matakot… ang mga bulag ay makakakita…” makakarinig ang mga bingi.” Ang mga salitang “Mabuksan ka…” ay di lamang nagbukas sa kanyang mga bibig upang magsalita at sa kanyang mga tainga upang makarinig. Bagkus, ito ay nagbukas din sa kanynag paningin at isip na ang awa at pag-ibig ng Diyos ay walang hanggan. Para sa kanya, ito ang simula at pagbubukas ng bagong buhay.

We are living in a “crowded and noisy” world. It heightens more fears and anxiety. Thus, we wish that in the midst of this marketplace,we may able to find some place in a desert where Christ can communicate to us – where He can readily touch us and free us from all fears.

It is so ironic that sometimes, even inside a big church, one can’t concentrate in praying because of the big number of churchgoers. Some parents even allow their small children to run and roam around the place of worship as  if it were another playground. But in Quiapo Church, one still finds inner peace and countless opportunities to have a one- on – one encounter with God even if it overflows with a marketplace. (It is fitting and appropriate that parishes should organize an effective way of keeping peace and order in the church most specifically during big masses. The ushers would play a very crucial role in this – to maimtain solemnity of the celebration without hurting the personal sentiments of the churchgoers.

After the miracle and healing, Jesus orders the people to keep it to themselves. “Ngunnit kung kalian sila pinagbabawalan ay lalo naman nilang ipinamamalita ito.” The experience is something which they could not afford to contain. Hindi nila kayang dalhin sa sarili lamang nila. At kahit pa nga ito’y isang pagsuway sa ibinilin ni Jesus, di nila magawang hindi ipabantog ang Kanyang kabutihan. Sa pagbubukas ni Jesus ng bibig at tainga ng Kanyang hinipo,nagbukas din ang bibig ng mga tao upang ipamansag ang Kanyang kadakilaan.

Yes, we find it difficult to keep God’s healing grace a secret. Every blessing has to be shared; God’s love has to be proclaimed. Sapagkat dito nagkaroon ng tunay na kahulugan ang paghipo sa atin ng Diyos – kapag tayo ay nakapagpapatotoo sa Kanyang kabutihan. We won’t mind living I a loud world if people would keep on creating noise about His Love. That would be music to our ears.

Fr. Erick Y. Santos

Grace Park Cross September 07, 2003