Are you listening?

One time I was called to hear the confession of an 80-year-old man. I was told by the wife that I had to speak loud because her husband was kind of deaf. Halfway through the confession, I realized that he had perfect hearing! When I told him that his wife had said he was deaf, he gave me a silly grin and a wink. The guy had been faking deafness all along!

* * *

In today’s Gospel (Mk. 7, 37), we hear of Jesus curing a deaf man who had a speech impediment. Note that Jesus took the deaf man away from the crowd and there healed him. It is when we really listen that healing moments happen. Are we really listening?

* * *

It is a fast and noisy world we are living in, and a lot of us hardly have the time to make the necessary stop just to rest, reflect, and recharge. So focused on making a living, many of us just exist without a life worth living. So busy meeting a lot of people, many of us hardly connect with persons. So engrossed with the crowd, we hardly have time to be with and to really listen to God.

* * *

Please don’t wait for tragedy or sickness to come before you listen to God. Tone down on the world, and tone up on the Word. Tone down on your personal comfort and pursuits, and tone up on the cries of the poor and the needy all around.

* * *

During a recent trip, lawyer Nonoy Tan lent me his head set that had a “noise reduction” feature. Wow! It was an amazing experience. Suddenly the noise of the plane engine and the conversations of people around me were inaudible, and with the music so clear, I was able to relax and sleep well. Yes, we all need “noise reduction” moments so that we can experience peace and rejuvenation.

* * *

The late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo’s message to our country was loud and clear, but are we still listening? Let his death not be in vain. Let us continue to listen to his message for all of us as a nation. Let us also continue to search for and encourage Jesse Robredos in our respective localities. Let them shine so that we can eventually eradicate the agents of darkness that hover over and control us!

* * *

Reverend Father (Supt.) Jason Ortizo, chaplain of Camp Crame, related to me how Secretary Robredo requested him to visit his office two weeks before he died for “a very important concern.” It turned out that Sec Robredo wanted to receive the Sacrament of Penance, and he also donated his personal image of Our Lady for the chapel of Camp Crame. Father Jason also told me that he was so impressed when he blessed the modest and simple condominium unit of Sec Robredo on Morato Avenue. Politicians and government officials out there, are you listening?

* * *

Lawyer Mae Richelle Belmes sent me a text message that she had been appointed provincial election supervisor of Abra. She asked for prayers that God give her the wisdom, courage and strength to do her duty and to help reform the electoral process in the province. This 30-year-old, prayerful, and gutsy woman said she had a dream for her province. One with you in your dream to remove from the electoral process the three Gs of Guns, Goons and Gold, and to replace them with the three Gs of God, Goodness and Guts. It is with such people as Attorney Belmes, who are taken “away from the crowd,” that the light slowly but surely overcomes the darkness.

* * *

Yesterday was the birthday of Mama Mary, and also the birthday of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). The SVD in the Philippines continues to send Filipino missionaries abroad, the latest of whom is Fr. Raniel Nachimma, a 28-year-old, newly ordained priest from Mayoyao, Kalinga, who left for east Timor Leste last Sept. 7. Please continue to pray for and support our Filipino missionaries overseas.

* * *

Amidst the debate on the Reproductive Health bill, let us listen to what Confucius has to say: “To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first set our hearts right.”

* * *

Think about this: “For a happy and peaceful life, don’t stress yourself with useless people who don’t even deserve to be an issue in your life; don’t invest too much emotion on one thing because if you do, you’ll end up hurting yourself; don’t worry too much because God is in control, and God will make a way.”

* * *

Today is Grandparents’ Day. Let us remember and appreciate these people who have loved and sacrificed much for those who come after them. They may not have money in their wallets now, but they have pictures of their grandchildren, and all the love and memories that come along with them.

* * *

By the way, for those who ask me if I have a Facebook account, my answer is no. I have been told that I have a Facebook page, but I am not the one who put it up. Just for your information.

* * *

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me not to be deaf to You, and to Your people. Amen.