The story is told about a wife who consulted a fortune-teller who told her: “Your husband will meet a violent death.” To which the wife responded: “Yes, I know that already. What I want to know from you is whether I will get away with it.”
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In today’s Gospel (Mt. 13, 24-43), Jesus tells us more parables. The more we listen to Jesus’ parables, the more we realize how much we know, and how little we know. Jesus’ parables are so simple yet so profound, so clear yet so mysterious and inexhaustible.
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The Parable of the Weeds and Wheat, the Parable of the Mustard Seed, and the Parable of the Yeast give us very timely messages, especially during these times when the Church is wounded and is going through much pain and purification brought about by the recent events involving seven bishops in the PCSO controversy. Yes, we must listen, learn, grow up, and grow on.
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In the Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat, Jesus reminds us that good and evil will co-exist in this world while we live, but there will be a final separation and division at the final judgment. This should give us hope, and should urge us to persevere in doing good.
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Jesus’ parable about the small mustard seed growing to become a big tree where birds come and dwell on its branches reminds us that littleness is a virtue and that true greatness begins, continues and comes to completion if we know how to be humble and lowly.
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Jesus’ parable about the yeast reminds us to become agents of change and goodness, and it challenges us to make a difference. We are not to be discouraged by the magnitude of problems and persecutions around us, but must continue in our mission to help elevate and alleviate peoples’ lives.
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There’s so much untruthfulness and truth manipulation these days, not to mention the half-truths and rumors that readily and abundantly go around. How easily the rich and the powerful can manage or manipulate truth, take the public for a ride and spin the peoples’ minds. Through it all, we must hold on to Jesus’ words that truth will prevail, and that goodness will triumph in the end. Yes, truthfulness leads to peace; while untruthfulness leads to stress.
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By the way, in my column last July 10, the word “there” was incorrectly written as “these.” The correct sentence should have read: “There are persons so powerful that they can manage or manipulate issues, and yes, even people.” I was referring not to the bishops, but precisely to people in government or groups out to destroy the credibility of the Church. (I thank the editors of the Inquirer who promptly printed the erratum on July 11, 2011).
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There’s so much pride and arrogance around us these days. It’s a rough world we are living in, where the proud seem to get by and get going with ease, while the little ones and the unknown just stay on the sides in this journey called life. Again, we must hold on to Jesus’ words that the meek will inherit the earth, and that God will humble the proud of heart. Humility is the best fertilizer for our growing up and growing on.
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Think about this: “The most humble statement we can say is ‘I am nothing without God.’ The most powerful statement we can say is ‘With God nothing is impossible’.”
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To those who feel that the Church, particularly our seven bishops involved in the PCSO vehicle controversy, had been judged and persecuted recently, well, let’s put it this way: The Church has encountered, and will always encounter criticisms, and even persecutions. In fact, without persecutions, we will cease to become a real Church. Persecutions purify us, unite us, simplify us, and strengthen us in our resolve to serve God and His people, especially the poorest of the poor.
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Thanks to Grand Slam Global Productions for the “Musikaibigan” concert held last July 15, at the Music Museum for the benefit of the SVD Mission Philippines Inc. Thanks to the following artists who gave a helping hand for our missionaries overseas: Wency Cornejo, Gino Padilla, Pinky Marquez, Fatima Soriano, Ruffa Mi, Jojo Alejar, Laarni Lozada, The Seed Band, and Geoff Taylor. Thanks to those who patronized and joined us in this good and worthy concert.
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Inviting you to join me in a Marian pilgrimage to the shrines of Italy and Medjugorje on Oct. 13-26, 2011. The pilgrimage will include Rome, Vatican, San Giovanni Rotondo (St. Padre Pio), Loreto, Assisi, and Medjugorje. For more details, please call 7217457; 523-8581 or e-mail: pilgrimage@execres.com.ph
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, remind me that trials and persecutions are part of my growing up and growing on. Amen.