Moments Fr , Jerry M . Orbos , SVD
The story is told about a CNN reporter who hurriedly boarded a twin-engine plane which was then warming up , presuming that it was the flight he had chartered . Once in the air , he told the pilot to fly low over the valley . When the pilot asked him why , he said : “ So that I can take photos of the forest fire .” After some moments of silence , the pilot hesitantly said : “ So … you ’ re telling me that you are not my flight instructor ?” * * * In today ’ s Gospel ( Lk . 12 , 49- 53 ), Jesus tells His disciples that He has come to establish , not peace , but division in the world . This may come as a surprise , or even a shock , to us who presume that Christ and His message are all about peace , comfort and unity . The peace that our Lord is talking about is a peace that can be disturbed and disturbing .
People often tell me : “ Father , now that I am closer to the Lord , how come I encounter more trials and temptations ? I thought I would have a more peaceful life now !” Our presumption is that
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the presence of Christ means the absence of conflicts , tensions and divisions in our lives . The presence of Christ in our lives gives us peace , but He will disturb our peace to challenge us to grow , and become better persons . * * * Someone beautifully said that God is a God who comforts the disturbed , and disturbs those who are comfortable . Our journey to God ’ s heart is not only about being peaceful and complacent . It is also about being disturbed and challenged . God ’ s love is both tender and tough love . * * * The main focus in our journey to God ’ s heart is God Himself , and not the sunshine or the storm we encounter along the way . In other words , the presence of God is what should give us peace , whether we go through peaceful or raging waters in our journey . God is with us , so we should have peace no matter what conditions we go through . If we have God , then we have that true peace which the world can neither give nor take away .
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Disturbing It is very disturbing to see , hear , and experience what is happening around us . Our faith in God is not a pair of sunglasses to protect us from the glare of harsh realities , but a pair of eyeglasses to make us see better and deeper into the realities around us . With faith , we can see God , and feel His presence in the most ugly , dirty , sad , stupid , disappointing situations and conditions we encounter in our world , here and now , and our faith should further lead us to involvement and commitment . * * * We have opinions on present-day issues . The internet has provided the venue for our netizens ’ views and opinions , from the sacred to the profane . Sure , we are free to spread our points of view , but let us not forget to respect one another . And let us make sure that our views and opinions are born out of prayer , not just out of an emotional outburst , or out of a personal agenda . Respect and dialogue have become such lonely words . * * * Tomorrow is the Feast of
Our Lady ’ s Assumption to heaven
. Many of us have forgotten the “ uplook ” in our lives as we are so engrossed in our personal agenda ( inlook ), as well as our worldly agenda ( outlook ). The alphabet reminds us that life starts with A ( God , the Alpha ), begins with B ( Birth ), continues with C ( Choice ), ends with D ( Death ), and goes on to E ( Eternity ). May our Blessed Mother who has gone ahead to Heaven show us the way to get there , in that Kingdom where there are no more tears , no more problems , no more intrigues , no more traffic , no more politics , and also no more disturbances , no more conflicts , and no more goodbyes . * * * Someone noted that even a clock that has stopped will at least tell the correct time two times in a day . The two fixed moments in our lives are the day we are born and the day we die . What happens in between is something we ourselves have to fix . How we journey from point B ( Birth ) to point D ( Death ) is pretty much our C ( Choice ). Let us choose goodness over evil , joy over sorrow , humility over pride , love over selfishness . Yes , let us
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choose Christ . * * * During our seminary days , many times the sign “ Do Not Disturb ” would be seen outside the door of our rooms , especially during examinations . But I remember one seminarian who once put a sign saying “ Please Disturb ”— and that disturbed us all , making us realize how selfish and how self-centered we can become . * * * Think about this : “ God has a purpose for your pain , a reason for your struggles , and a gift for your faithfulness . Don ’ t give up . A breakthrough is coming .” * * * Bantay Matanda invites you to a lay forum on “ Frailty ” at the Tuklong ni San Jose , Christ the King Seminary , E . Rodriguez Sr . Ave ., Quezon City , 9 a . m . to 12 noon . For inquiries , please call 9982548 or 09174167849 . * * * A moment with the Lord : Lord , comfort us when we are disturbed , and disturb us when we have become comfortable . Amen . |