The story is told about a senior citizen who asked his drinking buddies, one on his left and one on his right: “Did you spill beer on my pants?” When the two said no, he said: “Then it must have been an inside job!”
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In today’s Gospel (Jn. 9, 1-41), Jesus reminds us in the story of the healing of the blind man that true sight is not so much about seeing what is outside us as seeing what is inside us. The blind man received not only sight but faith as well because of his encounter with Jesus. Let us ask the Lord to give us not only sight but also insight, not only knowledge but also faith that will really help us see.
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It is amazing how much there is for our eyes to see in this world today. It is a visual world, especially with our access to gadgets and the media. But visuals can end up to be mere visuals that entertain our eyes but neither enrich our lives nor touch our hearts. Beyond visuals that give us data and information, let us not forget the inward look that helps us become better persons.
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The observance of Earth Hour Saturday, when we turned off lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. for Mother Nature, is a beautiful reminder for all of us that we can “see” who and what we really are even when we are in darkness. A lot of things become clearer in the candle glow. In the thick of the grind-sparks and the flashbulbs, may we not forget the candle glow.
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Earth Hour helped us see that we have only one earth, and that we should take care of Mother Nature. We have to go beyond our selfishness and divisions. Unless and until we view others as our brothers and sisters with God as our Father, we will continue to destroy our world, and destroy one another.
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In a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, I got acquainted with Maher, the driver of our bus, who has his family picture posted on his side window. When I asked him why, his response was simple: “To remind me that I am married, and that I have a family.” The picture has shielded him from marital temptations, and has prevented him from reckless driving. Truly, a simple picture can make a person see the light.
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Today, the beginning of the fourth week of Lent, is also called the “Laetare” Sunday to remind us to be joyful in our observance of the season. May we not lose sight of hope and joy in whatever we are going through in life. Humor helps us “see” the light, and will itself help see us through life. Joy is a choice, an “inside job,” so to speak, because true joy does not depend on people or circumstances outside us.
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A father who has lost his only son came for counseling the other day. His pain was deep, and his world has become empty. It was as if the lights had been turned off in his life. He was beyond consolation. He was so focused on his son. The light came when I asked him to focus on his blessings (he has four other children!) and not on what is missing. I also asked him to focus on his mission, and not on his “konsumisyon.” Yes, we all need to see the light. “Come, Holy Spirit!” This is the most effective prayer we need to see the light.
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Please be reminded that Lent is not only about stopping something negative, but also about starting something positive. In other words, aside from fasting, we should also be busy feasting—on good deeds! And please be reminded, too, that Lent is not just a season. It is also a spirit that we keep in mind for our continuous and constant conversion.
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In the breviary, every morning we pray in the Gospel Canticle: “This was the oath we swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight all the days of our life.” Let us ask the Lord to set us free from our fears and tears, and live the rest of our lives, the best of our lives!
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Have you noticed how counterfeit money can be detected when it is viewed against the light? During this season of Lent, let us expose ourselves to God’s light so that we may really know what is really inside us, and lead us to insight, which in turn will lead us to live meaningful Christ-filled lives.
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“It’s all a part of my journey to God’s heart.” This is how we should see all things that are happening in our lives, good or bad, happy or sad. All too often, we get so engrossed in the sights and sounds we encounter in our journey that we forget where we are going. As long as we see life as a journey to God’s heart, then everything and everyone we encounter on the road will be meaningful and worthwhile. Yes, let us journey on!
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, remind me that what really matters most is not what is outside us but what is inside us. Amen.