The story is told about a group of friends who played the game of Hide and Seek late into the night. They had a good time, and they all laughed when they, in unison, agreed that indeed, good friends are hard to find!
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In today’s Gospel (Mt. 15, 21-28), Jesus found a good woman with great faith in a Canaanite woman who desperately pleaded to Him, and believed that He will heal her daughter who was tormented by a demon. How desperate are we, how believing are we, when we ask anything from the Lord in prayer? Have you ever pleaded with God with all your heart and soul?
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Today, we are all tormented by the demon called COVID-19, whether it is natural or man-made, which has caused many deaths, much suffering, fear, anger, confusion, depression, and hopelessness all over the world. Like the Canaanite woman, we do homage to God in humility, and beg Him to help us. May we persevere, pray without ceasing, without doubt, and without shame.
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By the way, those who perpetuate, those who manipulate and make use of this pandemic situation for their own gain at the expense of innocent and helpless people, are instruments of the evil one. But mark this: They will not prosper, for goodness will triumph in the end, and God will not allow the “little ones” to be trampled upon by the proud, the dishonest, and the arrogant.
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Jesus showed compassion to a desperate woman… a very good reminder for all of us, in general, and for people in government, in particular, that when there is a calamity it is the time to make a difference, and not the time to make money.
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“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” Don’t we, like the disciples, often turn our backs on people who disturb our comfort zones, and who demand a piece of our time, talent, or treasures? When this pandemic is over, and it will be over someday, soon, may we have little or no regrets that when people needed it most, we played deaf and blind to their pleas, and just rationalized, or even just spiritualized our nil or mediocre response.
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This pandemic situation should have taught us by now that anyone of us can go anytime, and that we carry nothing with us when we leave this world. And it will happen fast, so therefore, let us fix our worldly affairs and businesses so that our leaving will not be burdened with so many regrets, could-have-beens, should-have-dones. Remember, use your money for your salvation, not for your condemnation. Dirty money, and unshared money is a big liability when you come to eternity.
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“Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their Masters.” Need we say more? It’s time to dispose of, give, and share your treasures, even your scraps. Someone once said that if you don’t use something within a year, it should not belong to you anymore. Let go, and let God, and be happy for the rest of your life, knowing that you have done your part in following our Lord’s command that whatever you did for others, you did it for Him.
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“O, woman, great is your faith!” Today let us examine our faith in God, especially during these difficult times. Are we so focused more on the virus, the issues, and the chaos, to the point that we become anxious, angry, selfish, sad, and depressed? Like the Canaanite woman, let us not lose sight of the Lord through it all. Believe, and keep believing. We must not let the evil spirit destroy our peace, joy, and goodness. Let the Holy Spirit bring out the best in us. “Come, Holy Spirit!”
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Think about this: “The difference between money and time is that you know how much money you have, but you don’t know how much time you (still) have.”
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help us! Amen.
jorbos@inquirer.com.ph