Cleansing

The story is told about a guy who was good in crisis management, using instant remedies and palliatives in solving problems. When the cows would not eat the brown grass because of the drought, what did he do? He put green sunglasses on the cows. Problem solved! He always forgot his driving eyeglasses, so what did he do? He had the whole windshield of his car graded. Problem solved! But it resulted in another big problem: Those people who rode with him became dizzy.

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In today’s Gospel (Mk. 1, 40-45), we hear of how Jesus healed a leper completely.

Jesus was someone who did not settle for palliatives or a “quick fix” both in His words and in His works. His words were simple and sincere, and that is why they were powerful. His works were done out of love and service, and that is why they were also powerful. True leaders really care. False leaders also really care… about themselves!

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In contrast to Jesus, how shallow and how superficial some people are in their works and words. Indeed, honesty has become such a lonely word these days. There are so many people who are good in managing the truth, and who are experts in manipulating public opinion. What we need most in our country are truth-tellers, and compassionate government officials and leaders.

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What if the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force operation in Mamasapano last Jan. 25 was a success? Then there would have been a lot of rejoicing and picture-taking, and lots of credit-grabbing. In success, everybody wants to be in the picture. In failure, nobody wants to be visible, responsible and accountable.

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Wednesday, Feb. 18, is Ash Wednesday—the beginning of the Lenten season. It is the time for penance and sacrifice in preparation for Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. It is the time for us to be cleansed of the leprosy of greed and selfishness. What we need, too, is cleansing in our nation, which is still so burdened with so much conflict and division, not to mention personalities and leaders who are filled with selfish agenda and ambitions.

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Speaking of cleansing, I had a good talk with Greggy Licaros who became a widower two years ago and who went through dialysis and a kidney transplant last year. He told me that loneliness and sickness are God’s way of cleansing us. They open us to the reality of death, the reality of God’s love; they make us see our mission more clearly and value eternity more dearly. Greggy is happy through it all, and is disposing of excess material and spiritual baggage. That’s what real cleansing means!

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Quality time and payback time! People who have received blessings and second chances, as well as extra extensions and favors, should not just be happy but should also be grateful, and spend the rest of their lives praising and loving God and other people. All healing should lead to cleansing and mission.

All blessings should lead to gratitude and conversion.

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I have talked to fishermen whose little boats have capsized or been destroyed, and they told me that the only way to survive is to stay afloat or tie themselves to the debris of the boat until help comes. In our spiritual journey, it is not enough to hold on to the Lord. We must tie ourselves to Him so that we won’t ever let go of Him.

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On a personal note, I keep losing the bell in my Mass kit. So what I did last month was to tie the bell to my bag, and it has been with me since. It is the same in our spiritual life. We must tie ourselves to the Lord, and to prayer, so that we don’t get lost. We must make a personal commitment to prayer time, and to hold on to the Lord no matter what.

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We say goodbye for now to Anita Ting, 62 years old, a gentle soul who suffered quietly these past 11 years battling breast cancer. She never complained, projecting joy and talking hope to everyone she encountered. She was one who never played the blame game. Nor was she one who begged for attention or sympathy. A brave woman. Her constant prayer was: “Lord, Thy will be done!” Until we meet again in the resurrection, Anita, we pray for you, and please pray for us!

Anita’s children said their mother’s greatest gift and legacy to them is the gift of faith. Her husband, Bayani, also a gentle soul and a man of faith, quietly showed his love and devotion to her all these years.

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Sharing with you this prayer: “Lord, when I am all alone and feeling lonely and I have no one to talk to, when it is like everybody seems so happy and I am full of sadness, and I am the only one hurting, let Your Word work in my heart and give me comfort, and may Your presence raise me up and help me to move on. Amen.”

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, cleanse us of our selfish agenda and ambitions so that we can truly see and do our mission. Amen.