Not for members only

The story is told about a cowboy who received two surprises one morning. The first surprise was when a sheep brought to him his long-lost Bible. Filled with amazement, he shouted: “Wow! It’s a miracle!” The second surprise was when the sheep “sheepishly” said: “Not really. Your name was written on it.”

In today’s Gospel (Mk. 9:38-43, 45, 47-8), Jesus imparts two unexpected lessons to those who like to come after Him. First, he teaches them that they are not to be proud and choosy when it comes to those who like to join them in their work and mission. The Kingdom is not about exclusive membership. Everybody is welcome!

The second “foolish” message of Jesus to His prospective followers is His radical call to put the Kingdom above self, i.e., to give up limb and life for the mission. It is not a call for self-fulfillment or self-aggrandizement. The Kingdom of God is not about privileged membership. Everybody is welcome to take the road of sacrifice and self-depreciation.

Open your doors, come down from your pedestal, and walk the earth. This is the call of the Lord for the Church, and for all of us, especially in these trying times. It is a constant call for all of us to leave our comfort zones and profitable positions. We all have so much to learn still about prayer, humility, simplicity and joyful trust in our Master.

Pain, sickness, suffering, persecutions, loneliness and deprivations bring us down to our knees, and it is in that position that we really know who we are, and who God is.

I inherited, and I am using now, the rocking chair of Mama, which she used till she was 92. She spent many hours in this chair praying, writing, waiting for anyone who would visit or drop by. She knew her place. She did not impose her presence. She was just there, so present to the Lord, and to the world “out there” through her prayers. I thank God that, during these days of rest and recuperation, I am given the privilege to experience quiet and prayerful moments in Mama’s old rocking chair.

At the core of the Gospel is the call to be a child again. Remember, it is the likes of Saint Therese, Saint Francis, Mother Teresa, Saint Pio and many other unknown simple, humble, child-servants who connect us to the true spirit of the Gospel. The brilliant, the eloquent, the powerful, the popular, the proud among us often disconnect us from the world that we are called to serve. Back to basics, back to the core! Back to the call.

It’s October! Month of the Rosary! Month of our Mama Mary. She is our constant reminder of what her Son wants us to become and to be. At any point or situation of our life, let us look at her, and follow her, and she will tell us what to do and where to go. Mother knows best! Mama Mary, stay with us in our journey. Lead us closer to your Son. Amen!

Still alive at 65! What a journey it has been. Just grateful. God has been loving, merciful and faithful all these years. And with cancer, along with its life-changing lessons and realizations, I humbly thank God that I am still alive… and more alive, and more joyful at 65!

Think about this: “Let us thank God for protecting us from what we thought we wanted, and blessing us with what we did not know we needed.”

Join the Walk with God to Manaoag this Oct. 6, Saturday, starting with a blessing at 5 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. The three-hour walk of thanksgiving and sacrifice ends with a thanksgiving Mass at 9 a.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag. Yes, we are all pilgrims, journeying with Mama Mary, to God’s heart.

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, remind us that our call is not to be exclusive, and not to be privileged. Amen.

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