The story is told about a man who texted his older brother: “Manong, the typhoon is coming and all our neighbors are panic-buying! Me? Nag-panic na lang! Wala naman akong pang-buying!” (All I could do was panic because I have no money for buying!)
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In today’s gospel (Lk. 21, 5-19), Jesus tells His disciples not to panic when they begin to see signs that the “end of times” was coming—wars, insurrections, earthquakes, famine, plagues, signs from the sky, and persecutions. He tells them not to be terrified, but to trust and to persevere.
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In these trying times, may we not lose sight of God, who is in complete control of our present situation, and not lose hope amid so much anguish and suffering among our people, especially in Central Philippines that has been devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” More than ever, we as a people and as a nation must hold on to Him. If the Lord is in our midst, we need not panic!
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Beyond words, we can never know or understand the suffering that our people have gone through, are now going through, and will still go through because of Yolanda. It is not the time for us to complain, more so to blame, or to accuse. It is time for us to really listen to our people and to their needs, and to help them immediately in any way we can. More than “commentators” or critics, let us be doers of good deeds. Indeed, actions speak louder than words. Time is of the essence here. The suffering of our people is real and immediate. Let our help be real and immediate.
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Beyond words, are we listening to God through it all? What is the Lord telling us as individuals and as a nation? It is important that we focus on and address the present situation, but let us not forget to listen to the Lord of our present situation. He is the Lord of any situation!
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Storms and tragedies remind us that everything is temporary in this life. Everything is passing. May we grasp this truth and reality, and may the Lord give us the wisdom to live meaningful and significant lives. For those who are obsessed with building their worldly success and achievements, the Lord has this to say today: “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
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The Philippines has suddenly become a big media focus and destination because of the suffering of our people. Foreign aid has been overwhelming. Local aid, too, from our people has been so inspiring. Government aid is likewise present, but wanting in system. Yes, let us all help and let aid go beyond borders, beyond cultures, beyond religion, beyond nationalities, and, definitely, beyond politics. Let our agenda be to help much, and to help now!
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By the way, the word “typhoon” comes from two Chinese characters—“te” (great) and “pum” (wind). The weather forecast about the wind and rainfall brought by Yolanda were quite accurate, but what did not register well with our people was the “storm surge” component. Perhaps, in the future, weather forecasters should make clear and urgent the danger of giant killer waves that accompany typhoons.
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When tragedy strikes, what we need to hear is assurance, and hope. No matter how difficult, let us listen to the Lord’s assurance, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Let us listen to the message of hope within us and to those people who speak of letting go, moving on, and growing on. Let us not listen to the evil one who specializes in fear and blame, or to people who just criticize and divide.
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Please remember that in the final judgment, we will be judged according to the concrete deeds of love and charity we have done toward the least of our brothers and sisters. In solidarity with our typhoon-affected brothers and sisters, let us join the 8-day fasting declared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, and donate whatever we will save from our fasting, and more! Let times of tragedy be times of solidarity and unity.
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“Soon it will be Christmas Day,” so the song goes. Let Christmas Day be now. Let us not wait for Christmas Day to be loving, giving, and generous. And please don’t forget the three “Ss” when we love and give: Sacrifice, with a Smile, and in Secret!
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“Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (Mt 25: 44, 45). When we come face to face with our God, may we have no or little regrets that we loved too little, too late. Beyond our words, we will be judged by our good deeds. Beyond our wealth, beyond our positions, beyond our fame, and beyond our good name, what matters most is that we loved and did our very best, and we did not lose or lessen our goodness.
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We Filipinos will bounce back, come what may, because we are a resilient people. Why? Because of our three valuable “Fs”: Faith, Family, and Freedom.
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, may our loving go beyond words, and may our love be real and concrete. Amen.