What do you call a motorcycle rider who refuses to wear a helmet because he claims that his head is hard enough? A hard-headed person.
In spite of His knowledge and intelligence, Jesus is a soft-hearted person. In today’s Gospel (Jn. 15:9-17), Jesus commands His disciples: “Love one another as I love you.” He could have commanded His disciples to outsmart one another, or upstage one another, or outbuy one another, or even eliminate one another. But no, He told them to love one another. For Jesus, it is the heart that matters.
Think about this: Jesus relates with us with His sacred heart, not with His sacred brain.
By the way, all the other world religions call God a Supreme Being, or Supreme Intelligence, or the Force, or the Presence, etc. But only Christianity calls God a Father. Yes, a Father with a heart. A soft-hearted Father at that. A Father who understands, a Father who forgives, a Father who loves us.
Let us not belittle the heart. Matters of the heart do matter, still matter, and will always matter, especially now in our world that is drowning in business matters, gadgets, and the internet. Please find time to connect with your heart, and to care for matters of the heart.
Whenever I listen to people who talk proudly and are arrogant about their worldly plans and achievements, I just pray for them, because they do not know who they are and what they are saying.
Next Sunday is Mother’s Day. Let us remember and honor our mothers. All they ask of us, really, is that we love each other, and take care of one another. Let us remember our mothers, and what they taught us. Much of our character, values, and mindsets are influenced by our mothers.
Let us remember also our motherland. Let us pray and work for progress in our country, but let us not forget that the heart of a country, more than material progress, is peace, unity, respect for one another, and respect for human rights.
As we prepare for the barangay elections, let us choose candidates that are soft-hearted, and not the hard-headed ones. We have too many “wise” officials who are full of knowledge, and who are brilliant in the ways of making and acquiring money for themselves. Lord, please give us good men and women who will truly serve and protect us. Amen!
A beautiful moon graced the sky these past few days. The hard-headed and “wise” among us didn’t even know, or care, that it was there. The soft-hearted and “fools” among us took the time to look up and appreciate it, and enjoy it—and subsequently felt God’s presence and peace. Truly, happiness is a choice we make.
The month of May is the month of Mama Mary. Our Mother wants all of us to live in peace and harmony. Mama Mary, our Mother, bless us your children and our beloved motherland, forever.
Sharing with you this beautiful prayer which we prayed much in our “Walk with God to Manaoag” yesterday: “Glorious and wonderful things are said about you, O Virgin Mary. You are the glory and joy of the Christian people. You are the defender of the poor and the rejected. You are a safe refuge of the persecuted, and a Mother always ready to help us. Surround us with your loving protection, and keep us under your mantle, safe from all that harm us. O glorious and powerful Mother of God, Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Manaoag, pray for us. Amen.”
Think about this: “It is better to give a piece of your heart than to give a piece of your mind.”
A moment with the Lord:
Lord, transform us from being hard-headed to becoming more soft-hearted. Amen.