Power and presence

The story is told about a man who boasted about owning a cell phone that needed charging only once in three months! There was a hitch, though: The power source was a motorcycle battery that he had to constantly carry in his backpack!

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Today is Ascension Sunday. In today’s Gospel (Mt. 28, 16-20), the Risen Lord gave His doubting disciples the power they needed to carry out their mission: “All power has been given to me.” Not only that, He also gave them the much-needed assurance of His presence: “And, behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” We are assured of the Lord’s power and presence, and that is all we need in our journey through life.

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There is no such thing as unlimited power in this world. Everything—indeed, everyone—has an expiry date. We are to put our trust in the Lord. People come and go, and worldly power is fleeting. We must hold on to a power that is constant, strong and unchanging. Remember, there are those who hold power now who will someday lose that power, and will no longer be present, and not even be remembered.

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Today is also World Communications Day. At the Ascension, the Lord commissioned His disciples to go and communicate the Gospel to all creation. In this world where people are easily and readily connected through the media and modern gadgets, we can and we should share our faith with all peoples far and wide. There are a lot of lonely, hurting and troubled people out there who need to hear the good news of our salvation.

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Yesterday was the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Mother. In spite of her personal pains and difficulties, she went out of her way to visit and be of help to her cousin Elizabeth.  May we not be so caught up in our own world as to forget that there is a bigger world out there that needs our attention, care, and love. Let us not magnify our troubles, which often are little compared to those of other people around us. Like Mary, let us learn to reach out and be truly present especially to the lost, the last, and the least in our midst.

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We honor Mary most when we become more like her. Devotions and prayers are fine, but they are empty if they do not make us better persons. A person who claims to be a child of Mary must become like Mary. And so it is that there are people who call themselves Marian devotees, but who are so angry, impatient, proud and greedy.

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Coming from a pilgrimage, Maria was so happy to bring home a statue of the Blessed Mother. One day her maid accidentally hit the statue in the course of a cleaning chore. It broke into pieces. Maria’s initial reaction was anger. But a voice within her said: “My child, don’t be angry. Be gentle like me.” That, she said, was the miracle. More than her devotion to the statue of Mary, the miracle was her transformation to become more like Mary.

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A priest once challenged our prayer group to pray the rosary with outstretched hands. It was all right for a while, but then the arms became painful and heavy, particularly for those who had excess fat, and excess jewelry! The lesson is clear:  Avoid excess in whatever form and in whatever way.

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The pork barrel scam reminds us to shun greed in whatever form. How can a few persons pocket so much money that isn’t theirs?  How much money does one need in this life?  Remember, it is not easy to “ascend” to heaven if we are laden with heavy excess baggage.  May we learn to unload and “share a load” while we still have time and while we still can.  Please don’t forget quality, and payback time.

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I was inspired by a news item I read recently about a French lotto winner who has decided to give to charity 50 million euros from his jackpot prize of 72 million euros. What a generous person! Not only that: He also wants to remain anonymous. It is a strong message to our world that is so obsessed with money. Yes, we are reminded that while there are many things money can buy, there are also so many things money cannot buy.

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For those who doubt God’s power and presence: “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46,10). God is in control, and God is present with us through it all. Yes, God is omnipotent and omnipresent! And I constantly hold on to Mama’s last words to me: “I just want to say to you, whatever you are going through, whatever is ahead of you, I’m always one with you.”

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Think about it:  “Peace is yours when you have laid all things at His feet; when you have entrusted all things to His keeping; when you have released all things into His care; then peace that surpasses all understanding will rule in your heart.” Peace be with you!

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, remind and manifest to me Your power and Your presence, especially in the most difficult moments of my journey. Amen.