Rise again!

Imagine my shock when I received this text message: “Fr. Ric had a stroke. He is at the Arlington Funeral Home.” I was filled with sadness and disbelief with the thought that my classmate was gone. My sorrow turned to joy when another text message said: “Fr. Ric is OK. He had a stroke while he was saying Mass at the Arlington Funeral Home.” He whom I thought was dead, was alive!

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In today’s gospel (Mark 5, 21-43), Jesus raised a 12-year-old girl from death to life. He just took the child by the hand, and said to her: “Talitha koum” (little girl arise), and the little girl arose immediately and walked around. Wow. Alleluia!

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“Do not be afraid; just have faith.” The faith of a person, plus the faith of the people around her/him is important for healing to happen. Notice how the Lord put out the unbelieving crowd, and took in only Peter, James, and John, together with the child’s mother and father to accompany Him. We need people who have faith to accompany us in our journey. We need to shut out negative people who bring us down, and give us hopelessness and doubts.

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Yesterday, I had a Zoom Mass for the 40th day death anniversary of Twinkle and also of her husband, Elmer. They left behind their 10-year-old daughter, Sophia, their only child. I was crying deep inside as I talked with her, but I was filled with hope and joy when I heard a child who was so optimistic and so trusting. “I am OK. I know God is with me. And my Lola, and the family of Papa and Mama will take care of me.” Words from a brave girl. Hurting, yes, but believing in love, still.

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Choose to believe, not doubt; Choose to believe that the people you love, love you; Choose to believe that things will be well; Choose to believe that people are basically good; Choose to believe in yourself; Choose to believe in goodness, and no matter what, in God.

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His Excellency, Jose Cardinal Advincula, the archbishop of Manila chose “Audiam” (That I may listen) as his motto and resolve. Humbly saying that he is “clueless” about what’s up ahead, we are confident that he who knows how to listen to the Lord, and to his own flock, will end up serving them well. “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Prov. 3,5).

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May we listen to the Lord in all the events that are unfolding during this pandemic. May we listen to the voices and cries of people around us. May we listen to the voice of conscience within us. May we also listen to Mother Nature, and to God’s words in the Scriptures.

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The word of the Lord is the buoy that lifts us up and keeps us afloat. When you feel down and out, let the Lord speak to you, and listen to Him, and He will show you the way you need to take, the truth you need to believe, and the life you need to live.

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ICU case: Whenever you encounter a difficult person in your life, treat him/her not as one to be hated or avoided, but one who needs Intensive Care and Understanding. And whenever you encounter any temptation, treat it as an ICU moment, with Intensive Caution and Urgency. Be careful, pray, and flee!

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“Chil chon phal gi.” (Korean proverb that means: fall down seven times, rise up eight times.) May we not get discouraged whenever we encounter failures or disappointments. God counts not the falls and the failures, but the rising up and the moving on.

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Think about this: The best way to age gracefully is to age gratefully. Remember, whatever is your altitude, gratitude is the best attitude.

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A moment with the Lord:Lord, help us to rise again, and again, and again. Amen.

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