Murmuring

THE STORY is told about a man who visited a relative confined in hospital. As he stood by the bed praying, the patient began to  murmur: “Oshige, oshige.” Thinking that the patient was saying, “O sige (Go on),” he continued to pray—until he noticed that the patient was turning blue and was now saying “Oshige!” frantically. He finally realized that he was stepping on the oxygen hose under the bed, and that what the patient was
actually murmuring was “Oxygen! Oxygen!”

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In today’s Gospel (Jn. 6, 41-51), we hear how the people in the crowd murmured among themselves when Jesus told them that He is the bread that had come down from heaven. When they were fed by Jesus in the multiplication of the bread and fish, that was fine for them. But when Jesus told them that He is the living bread and they should eat His flesh, they began to doubt, question, oppose and murmur. So, too, with us. When things are well and God gives us what we want, we are fine. But when God challenges us, and does not give us what we want, we easily lose our faith in Him.

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We are made in the image and likeness of God, but often we try to make God according to our own image and likeness. We put God in a box and we expect Him to stay there. And so it is that when things don’t turn out the way we want them to, or when suffering, delay and disappointment come, we murmur, we complain, and we even turn our back on Him. How little, how shallow, is our faith!

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The truth of the matter is that what many ask from God is bread, period. Or anything connected with bread, never mind bread from heaven. Notice that when we pray, most of our prayers are petitions, and most of our petitions have something to do with money, work, health, positions, functions, projects, promotions. All too often we are focused on the bread, and we forget the
Giver of the bread. Too focused on provisions, we forget the Provider Himself.

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There is a story about Jesus taking a stroll in heaven. He passes an angel handling so many telephones and taking so many calls. Further down, He passes another angel with so many telephones but hardly any call. In the story, the first angel is the operator of the “Petition Department” in heaven, which is besieged by so many calls! And the second angel is the operator of the “Praise and Thanksgiving Department” in heaven, and very few call him. Which of these angels do you call most of the time?

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When trials come, let us not murmur. Trials are God’s way of telling us not to focus on our bread and blessings which are all fleeting but, rather, to focus on Him, the Source of our bread and blessings. When God takes away something or someone from us, it is for our own good, for our own growth and salvation. Some good things are taken from us so that better things will come. By way of analogy, when God takes away or does not give the “candy” that we want, it is because He has something better for us. He wants to give His very self to us. He wants to be closer to us!

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A good question to raise is: Do other people come to us or relate with us just because of bread or money? Let us examine our relationships today. How much of our relationships and friendships are based on or have something to do with money? Another way of putting it is: Without money involved, would our relationships, friendships or memberships continue and endure? May our relationships not just be for pragmatic, practical or beneficial purposes. May our relationship with God and with other people be truly personal and real.

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“Priests with a H-E-A-R-T” was the theme of our retreat with the Lucena clergy last Aug. 3-6 in Tagaytay City, together with Bishop Emilio Marquez, JCL, STD, DD, the bishop of the Diocese of Lucena, and 100 of his priests. It was such a refreshing experience to share, listen, laugh and pray together with our brother priests. What is important is that we priests have a heart for God and for His people. Otherwise, we are mere functionaries working for bread, and not for the Living Bread.

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It was heartwarming and inspiring to listen to various vocation stories and “survival kits” of our brother priests. In the sharing sessions, what often came out was the importance of prayer and a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. It is important that more than being priests with position, possessions, popularity or power, we become priests who have Humble, Earnest, Affectionate, Rejoicing and Tender hearts! Yes, priests with a heart!

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A documentary on National Artist for Film Gerardo de Leon by multiawarded filmmaker and photographer Ricardo “Dik” Trofeo will be shown today at 3:30 p.m. at the CCP Little Theater. Titled “Salamat sa Alaala,” it highlights the legacy of De Leon and his contribution to the development of Philippine cinema and art. The film, presented by Peque Gallaga and scripted by Nick Tayag, is competing in the Documentary Category of Cinemalaya Film Festival 2015.
Trofeo, who worked closely with “Manong” as his assistant director in such classic films as “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” considers this documentary a tribute to his mentor who taught him a lot about filmmaking. For inquiries, please call the CCP ticket box office at 8323704 or 8323706

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Think about this: “When we find our happiness or fulfillment in this world, we soon discover that it is only temporary. Things get old, people fail us, accomplishments are forgotten, and the applause fades, but when we find fulfillment in God, it is complete and permanent.”

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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help me to continue believingand loving instead of questioning and murmuring. Amen.