The extra (s)mile

The story is told about a rapist who was sentenced to life imprisonment. Upon hearing the verdict, he shouted in a rage: “I raped one person. How come the people of the Republic of the Philippines are now all against me?”

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In today’s Gospel (Mt. 5, 38-48), Jesus tells His disciples to take the road of love, not hatred, and to take the road of forgiveness, not vengeance. It is neither an easy nor a pleasant road to take, and many of us often refuse to take it or simply avoid it because we see it as the road that leads to loss, humiliation, and cowardice, if not stupidity.

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To go the extra mile, and to give the extra smile—this is the Lord’s invitation for us as we journey on with people who can sometimes be mean, unfair, and uncaring. Keep in mind that the minimum of love is justice, but beyond justice is love. May we learn to apply this in all our relationships and in all our dealings as far as possible.

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What if God were to deal with us only from the point of view of justice? Who would be worthy, and who would be saved? This precisely is the invitation for us today—to become more like him, and to go beyond our limited horizons. As it were, God invites us to love others as He loves us. The invitation is a difficult one to accept, but not impossible, by His grace. A lot of conflicts and problems can be resolved or healed if we take the invitation to this road less traveled.

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There are many things we cannot understand or explain in this life. Who of us can fathom God’s ways? Last Feb. 15 I officiated at a funeral Mass for 13-year-old Joyca Canta, and a few days later I said another funeral Mass for 96-year-old Sergio Villamin. Just how do we understand or explain such a situation? We can’t, but with faith, we can believe that God is in control, and that God has a plan. Only with faith, too, can we understand what God has in mind when He tells us to go the extra mile, and to give the extra smile.

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Speaking of the extra mile and extra smile, our family would like to thank the doctors of Far Eastern University Hospital in Fairview, Quezon City, who did and gave their very best for our late Mama Conching. Our heartfelt thanks to Doctors Ante Muñoz, Regina Reyes, Lucas-Linga, Milagros Rebosura-Einanloo, Florante Reyes, Edgardo Fajardo, and Amor Patrice Espinosa, and to all the medical staff members and aides. God bless your good and generous hearts!

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A friend told me that she invited a long-lost teacher and mentor in her high school days for dinner, but they did not get to see each other because of conflict in their schedules. That dinner will not happen anymore because her teacher died last Valentine’s Day. She regretted not having dropped her own concerns then so she could accommodate her teacher.

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Think about this: “Forget who hurt you yesterday but don’t forget those who love you every day. Forget the past that made you cry, and focus on the present that makes you smile. Forget the pain but never the lessons you have gained.”

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Inviting you to join Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and John L. Allen Jr., CNN Vatican expert, as they talk about the future Church in a “Dinner for the Missions” on March 13 at 7 p.m., to be held at The Elements, Eton Centris, Quezon Avenue corner Edsa. This event is to celebrate and raise funds for the 50th anniversary of the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City.  For inquiries, please call Manny Mendoza at 09231410479, Dante Magdangal at 09178228238, or SVD Mission Office at 7217457.

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Inviting all alumni of the Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay for our grand alumni homecoming in Tagaytay on March 11-12, with the theme “Grace upon Grace” (John 1,16). Former Superior General Antonio Pernia, SVD, will speak about “The State of Mission Today” on March 11, while John L. Allen Jr. will speak about “The Catholic Church in the World Stage in the 21st Century” on March 12. There will be common prayers, meals, sports activities, and organizational meetings as well. For particulars, please call (046) 4131353 or 09179963375, or visit www.facebook.com/divinewordseminary50years.

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It was in Sept. 12, 1963, when the pioneers of the Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay arrived. The place was then quite isolated, with very few houses, and notorious for bandits and holdup men. But it was cool, quiet, and scenic. It has become a central seminary affiliated with 11 congregations and three diocesan clergy. From 1964 to the present, it has produced 1,601 priests, missionaries, religious, and even bishops. To God be the glory!

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Fil-American Jessica Cox was born without arms but she never gave up. She finished college, drives a car, plays the piano, is a scuba diver and licensed airplane pilot, and holds a black belt in tae kwon do. The Ortigas Library Foundation will have her as a guest speaker on Feb. 25, 6 p.m., at Decagon Hall, Silver City, Frontera Verde corner Julio Vargas Avenue, in Pasig City. There are limited free tickets for persons with disabilities. The proceeds will help PWD organizations. For inquiries, please call 631-1231.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to go beyond the extra mile and to give the extra smile. Amen.