MIRACLES AND HEALINGS

It was indeed painful for Jesus not be recognized and honored by His hometown. He was met with disbelief, doubts, resentments – because they knew Him too well. Yet, this rejection by His own people was also triggered by their pride and jealousy. For how can this once young boy who lived in a simple abode in Nazareth together with his simple parents be the Messiah? How could he be performing miracles as he was a young boy playing with their own children and performing small mischief with them? No wonder, he performed very little miracles there, if not at all.

It reminds me of the story of Crisostomo Ibarra of the novel Noli Me Tangere by Rizal. Pagkatapos niyang magpakadalubhasa sa Europa ay halos hindi na siya matanggap ng kanyang mga kababayan.

The people’s attitude in the gospel towards Jesus is no than the same crab mentality which, sad to say, is common among Filipinos. We try to pull down anyone who proves to be succesfull in spite of one’s humble beginnings. Ayaw nating nauungusan tayo. Ayaw nating may mas magaling sa atin.

Once a group of people from different countries had the usual "payabangan” contest. Syempre ,walang gusting magpatalo. So goes the discussion: an Egyptian claimed, “Our camel can carry five persons in one trip!’ Not to be outdone, the Indian in the group boasts: “Our elephant in India can carry ten people in travelling! “As in any interracial discussion, The great Pinoy would not allow himself to be defeated. Thus, he exclaimed: “all that you two declared are nothing compared to what we can do. In my country the Philippine Rabbit can carry 75 passenger in one trip!”

Truly, it takes a humble person in order to see the goodness of Jesus. As Paulo puts it in the second reading, “Kaya’t buong galak kong ipinagkakamapuri ang anking kahinaan upang palakasin ako ng kapangyarihan ni Kristo… sapagkat kung kalian ako mahina, saka naman ako malakas.

Tama na ang yabang, inggit, at pagmamalaki! It would not bring us anywhere. Let us put on the garment of humility so that we may be able to see clearly the love and gentle touch of Jesus. For only then will authentic healing's take place. Only then will miracles be possible.

Fr. Erick Y. Santos

Grace Park Cross July 6, 2003