Astonished, amazed, bewildered

The story is told by Fr. Martin Mandin, SVD who saw a sign outside a shop in Tacloban City which read: “We repair saints.” Astonished, amazed and bewildered, he went inside to inquire. It turned out that the shop specialized in the repair and restoration of statues of saints.

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In today’s Gospel (Mk. 1, 21-28), we are told that people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching, amazed with His miracles, and bewildered as to who He was. He was a “new kid on the block,” and from the very first moment of His entry into public life, He was met with various reactions, from acceptance to doubt, and even rejection. He was, so to say, a man of contradictions, a man of mystery, an enigma to the people.

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What is amazing about Jesus was His constancy and tenacity. He was not swayed by public opinion. In other words, He proclaimed His vision and carried out His mission in season and out of season. Here was someone who had substance, who had depth and who had principles.

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Are you a “show business” or a “do-business” person? Are you one who does anything just to please everyone? Are you one who does whatever it takes just to get moving with your personal and social agenda? Jesus reminds us today to stick to our principles, to be unbending in our mission and to be true to our calling.

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I am astonished, amazed and bewildered at some people who remain in power and stay in the corridors of power and influence by simply switching their loyalties and commitments. Turncoats we call them. Perhaps opportunists would better describe them. What is amazing is that these thick-faced liars don’t seem to care at all! Just follow the ongoing impeachment proceedings at the Senate, and you will know what I mean. Many of our politicians have no permanent allies or parties—or principles, for that matter. They only have permanent interests.

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Power was never an issue to Jesus. He knew the source of His power, so He knew how to handle and use it. On the other hand, many of us can be so in love with power, and can be so disillusioned by it. Power and money are first cousins, and the evil one knows just how to use them for our downfall and unmaking.

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Remember the jukebox which played music whenever a coin was put into it? Some people are like that. It is money that moves them. Actually, perhaps in real life, some people are not like a jukebox, they’re a joke box. Their whole life is a joke. They think they can get away with everything just by fooling everyone, including themselves, and God. Ha! Ha! Ha!

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It does not take long for us to know if a person is a person of substance. It takes one to know one I suppose, and this applies too in knowing if a person is just a person of form. Sooner or later his true color will appear or his slip will show, or he will simply slip.

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Somebody once said that there is no acceptable substitute for honesty, and there is no valid excuse for dishonesty. There is a price to pay for our honesty and dishonesty. The price for the former is peace, while the price for the latter is stress.

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Speaking of honesty, somebody once had this to say: “The honesty of many politicians has never been questioned. In fact, it’s never been mentioned!” May we all go toward the road of honesty. It could be a lonely road, but it is a road that leads to light and life.

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“It’s more fun in the Philippines” is the new amazing slogan of our Department of Tourism. If I may add, perhaps, what we should also bring out is our natural friendliness and hospitality as a people. How about, “You’ve got friends in the Philippines!” Maybe we can call our country “Friendlypines” and call ourselves “Friendlypinos!” The truth of the matter is that with all our faults, we are an astonishing, amazing and bewildering people!

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On a personal note, may I share an experience with a brother priest who really and literally goes out of his way to be present and to be of help to his brother priests. When my return flight to Manila from Tuguegarao was cancelled, Fr. Manny Medina, a La Sallette missionary assigned in San Mateo, Isabela, drove for me to allow me to be on time for my 10 p.m. radio program last Saturday, Jan. 21. He drove back alone, arriving in San Mateo about midnight to be there for his Sunday morning Mass. I salute his dedication, and to Father Manny, I say, you’re amazing!

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Today is National Bible Sunday. May we learn to anchor our lives on the Word of God, and experience its power for our personal and national transformation. The Word of God is our steady anchor in a world that is filled with so much noise, shadows and flavors.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us to be persons of substance and not just of form. Amen.