PAGSAKSI SA GITNA NG PAGSABOG AT PAGYANIG

Listening to today's gospel gives us goose pimples. The words of Jesus proves to be prophetic. “Makikipagdigmaan nag bansa  laban sa kapwa bansa at ang kaharian laban sa kapwa kaharian." Magkakaroon ng malalakas na lindol.magkakagutom at magkakasalot sa iba’t-ibang dako. May lilitaw na mga kakilakilabot na bagay at mga kagilas-gilas na tanda buhat sa langit.

Nakaktakot isipin. At  higit na nakakatakot ang katotohanang nagaganap ang lahat ng mga ito. Sariwa pa sa ating isipan ang mga naranasan natin nang mga nagdaang panahon: ang mga alaala ng Second World War, mga pinagdaanan nating bagyo at lindol; and more recently, the World Trade Center tragedy. Such occurrences make us shiver and pray and hope that such experiences would not and should not happen again. But most of the time, we ourselves create our own chaos. We don’t take care of our environment.We become less patient with one another. We allow pride to rule us. Thus, there is war. There is upheaval. We bring this world to self-destruction.

Takot na tayo sa gulo. Ayaw na natin ng digmaan at mga kalamidad. But the gospel does not even mean to weaken and demoralize us. On the contrary, in the midst of the scenario presented, Jesus encourages us to take on a strong front and disposition. These things are bound to happen. And much more.

Ang totoo niyan, kadalasan ay nakikita natin ang magandang mukha ng sangkatauhan kapag mayroong mga kaguluhan. Sa gitna ng digmaan, naroon ang mga Red Cross volunteers na walang takot na isinasaisang tabi ang kanilang pansariling kapakanan upang magligtas ng buhay. Pagkatapos ng bawat pagyanig at pagsabog, nakikita natin ang pagtutulungan at pagdadamayan. When we hear of chaos and impending wars, people pray like they never did before. They harness the hidden side of us: a people who believe in God,willing to offer a helping hand ready to suffer with the suffering. We realize we are capable of witnessing.

Indeed, we have the capacity to witness to the Lord and gospel. It’s just that there are times we remain unaffected by the goings-on in our lives only to find out that in the end,when things have gone worse, we would still allow ourselves to get involved a great deal. And we’re capable. And willing.

Hindi na natin kinakailangan pang hintayin ang anumang kagulahan, pagsabog at pagyanig upang maipadama ang abot n gating makakaya at magagawa para sa Diyos at sa ating kapwa. We need not wait for the worse before we start acting.

To die for the Lord will be the ultimate cause. Given the opportunity, we would gladly offer our lives. For after all, He himself has assured us not to fear. He would teach us what to do. He will remain with us always.

Yes, it is equally meaningful to live for Him. Ang pagsaksi kay Hesus at sa ebanghelyo ay hindi namimili ng panahon ni naghihitay muna ng kapahamakan upang maisagawa. And while we quietly watch the revealing of His prophecies, we remain constant and consistent in our commitment to witness to His love.

Fr. Erick Y. Santos

Grace Park Cross November 18, 2001