Keep going

The story was told to me by Dr. Bobby Magsino, who said he was having breakfast with his 91-year-old mother when she complained about the aches and pains in the body of one who is growing old. Dr. Magsino said something which his mother could not quite understand. “Livedit? Is that a new vitamin?” she asked. Whereupon Dr. Magsino responded: “Just live with it, Mama.”

In today’s Gospel (Jn. 21, 1-19), we learn that it took time for the disciples to live with the fact that Jesus, their Master, had indeed risen from the dead. From being called to become fishers of men, they went back to being plain fishermen again. Jesus teaches us today that His call is permanent and unconditional. On His part, there is no turning back no matter what. On our part, we must keep going.

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We see how unconditional are the Lord’s forgiveness and compassion. There was no blaming or scolding when He met His unfaithful disciples who abandoned Him when He needed them most. “Children, have you nothing to eat?” It was His first greeting to them, and it was a greeting of care and concern. How benevolent, how magnanimous, how understanding is our God!

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“Cast the net over the right side of the boat, and you will find something.” These are enabling words. Our God is a God who affirms, enables, and empowers us. In short, He is a God who believes in us, who never gives up on us. Let us pray for that grace to be able to see the goodness and possibilities in our brothers and sisters, especially in the last, the lost, and the least among us.

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“Bring some of the fish you just caught.” We see here Jesus’ participative style of leadership. He does not give doles. He is not condescending. He challenges us to do our part, to labor and to be productive. Be careful of politicians going around these days, giving gifts and baits of all sorts to lure and catch our votes.

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“Come, have breakfast.” To break bread, to have a meal with someone, is an expression of unity and peace. Sharing time, sharing food, and sharing stories at table are activities we should treasure and encourage, especially in our fast-paced world. Do you still eat together as a family? Do you take time to talk with each other? Do you pray together as a family? Let us again and again invite the Lord to our homes. Lord, come, have breakfast, have a meal with us!

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Last week, Fr. Dennis Flynn, SVD, had a mild heart attack at our SVD Mission Center in San Jose, Batangas. As he was being rushed to the hospital by Fr. Vic Cisneros, and in between his gasps for air, Father Dennis kept saying, “DNR! DNR!” (Do not resuscitate!) This 82-year-old missionary, who spent most of his ministry with the Mangyan of Mindoro, and who still serves them in his retirement years, reminds us to be focused on and to be zealous in our mission. We can face death because we believe in our risen Lord who has promised eternal life. Death is not the end, but a moving on.

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“Keep going! Keep going!” How often have I heard Father Dennis say this. He has imbibed this spirit from the Marines and the Navy where he served as a chaplain for some years. We, too, in our journey to God’s heart, must learn to keep going, no matter what. Whatever we encounter along the way, let them not be reasons for us to give up. Let’s keep going—blood, sweat, tears, warts and all. Yes, let’s keep going. This is what our risen Lord asks of us.

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We want to thank you, dear sponsors, who made our Lenten TV special possible this year: Pascual Laboratories, PLDT, Semirara Mining Corp., Executive Resources Inc., SM-Felicidad  Sy Foundation Inc., Calapan Ventures Inc., Hotel Celeste, Boracay Tropics, Master Chef, Gothong Southern, All Transport Network, All Systems Logistics, Tiqui Builders Inc., VVS Realty Corp., and PCSO. Maraming, maraming salamat po! God bless your good and generous hearts for helping spread the message of our risen Lord who is full of mercy and compassion.

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The Alumni Foundation of the College of the Holy Spirit joins the San Lorenzo Ruiz Global Ministry in presenting “Melodies and Memories,” a benefit concert featuring the multiawarded Filipino pianist Raul Sunico, the New-York-based Filipino tenor Rogelio Peñaverde Jr., and the choral group Ambassadors of Light. The concert will be held on April 17, starting at 5 p.m., at the Paraclete Auditorium of the College of the Holy Spirit on Mendiola Street, Manila. For tickets, please call the alumnae office: 7355986 or Tita: 09178280700.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us keep going in our journey to Your heart, to other people’s hearts, and to our very own heart. Amen.