‘Blood test’
The story is told about a groggy man who said that he stayed up the whole night. When asked why, his answer was: “I had to prepare for my test this morning.” When asked further what test? For your finals? “No,” he said. “For my blood test.”
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Next Sunday will be Palm Sunday already, the start of the Holy Week. In today’s Gospel (Jn. 12, 20-33), we hear how Jesus was preparing His disciples for the “blood test,” His passion, death, and resurrection, that were about to unfold. In so many words, He was telling them to be strong, not to lose hope, and to hold on, till He is “lifted up” from the earth.
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The pandemic has been a “blood test” for all of us. We didn’t see it coming, and we had no preparations whatsoever. It has caused so much fear, worry, helplessness, depression, sadness and untold suffering and death to so many. In desperation, like Jesus, in today’s gospel, we pray: “Save me from this hour.” But also, like Jesus, we trustingly say: “Father, glorify Your name.”
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It’s been a year now. May we see Jesus more clearly, follow Him more nearly, and love Him more dearly as we journey through this pandemic, with no end yet in sight. Let our faith keep us afloat, and let us help others stay afloat.
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The pandemic reminds us that anyone of us can go, anytime, and it happens fast. Life is short. If life is short, let us not postpone our conversion to God, and, let us not postpone our loving, our caring, and our sharing. Now na. Sana all.
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A 90-year-old man called me recently. He asked me how to prepare for his death. It was such a sincere question. All I could tell him was: How you lived your 90 years was the best preparation for your final test. What you have sown you will reap… Let us all be mindful that we have a final accounting of how we spent our life that was lent to us by our Creator. The justice of God is real. So is His mercy. Let us keep on trying. Let us keep on our journey to God’s heart, no matter what.
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Our Lord wants to draw all people to Himself. The problem is that many refuse or make a lot of excuses. The choice is ours to make, the consequences are also for us to take. Let us choose to follow the Lord, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
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March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord’s salvific plan to Mama Mary. It was a “blood test” for this young woman who believed the impossible, and trusted in the loving Father. Like Mary, may we not give up our trust, especially our hope in these trying times.
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Judge Pedro T. Santiago has gone home to his Creator last March 18 at the age of 92. Mission accomplished, for this poor boy from Tondo, Manila, who did not allow poverty to bar him from his dreams. Intelligent, but kind, fatherly, and generous. “Live well, love much, laugh often.” Like Judge Pete, let’s all do just that!
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Stay home. Stay safe. We can make many reasons to go out, and even make ourselves believe that they are necessary, but there are more reasons to just stay home. To mention just one: To stay alive. Make it two: To help others in your home stay alive. If you cannot be kind to yourself, please be kind, at least, to people to whom you may be bringing the virus. When it comes to the virus, be a barrier, not a carrier!
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Join me and lawyer Romy Macalintal in praying the Stations of the Cross via Facebook: Rev. Fr. Jerry Orbos and Atty. Romy Macalintal Stations of the Cross.
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A moment with the Lord:Lord, be with us, and help us to pass whatever tests we encounter. Amen.
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