‘And it came to pass … ’

The story is told about an old man who had such a calm and happy disposition that nothing seemed to bother or disturb him. An acquaintance asked him why this was so. His simple answer was: “Well, the Bible often says ‘And it came to pass…,’ but never once does it say, ‘And it came to stay.’”

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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 7, 11-17), Jesus raises to life a man who had died, the only son of a mother who was widowed. What great sorrow for her! But her sorrow did not stay. She received a miracle from Jesus, and even the greatest of all pain, death itself, came to pass.

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Death, for many, is the final goodbye, and the dead end of everyone, of everything, and of life itself. For us Christians, death is not a passing away but a passing on to a new life, a new beginning, a new horizon, because of our Lord’s resurrection. Today we are reminded not to stay with our sorrows and pains, frustrations, disappointments, and fears, but to keep going, keep moving, keep hoping.

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Whenever we feel disturbed or anxious about people or events, and about life itself, let us take courage and wisdom from the words of St. Teresa of Avila: “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.”

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Years ago I read a story about an old Volkswagen Beetle seen cruising slowly on a freeway somewhere in Los Angeles with a sign at the back that read: “This, too, shall pass.” That’s a good reminder for all of us to keep saying as we journey on, especially when we encounter turbulence or storms. Yes, this, too, shall pass…

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Remember, whatever is bothering you right now—that, too, will pass. Think of persons who are bothering or hurting you right now—they, too, will pass. Stay focused, not on things, events, or people. Focus on the Lord. Yes, see God—in all things, events, and people. See God through it all.

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Someone once pointed out that we can hardly remember the names of great heads of state, artists, rich and famous people in the past decade, but we can and do remember through the years our favorite teachers, true friends, and people who inspired us. In other words, we do not remember successful celebrities. They pass. But significant people last. We remember, not the years, but the moments. We remember, not the loud mouths, but the quiet, sincere, and truthful people who journeyed with us.

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Personalities come and go. They, too, shall pass. Let nothing and no one destroy the peace in our hearts, and the mission of our lives. Let us take everything and everyone with a grain of salt. There is no one so important and nothing so great as to make captive of our minds and our hearts.

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The greatness of Jesus was His ability to see a person in a crowd. He was not a crowd-pleaser or an attention-getter for Himself. He was sincere and true in His effort to recognize, reach out to, and affirm people, especially the lost, the last, and the least. Our present-day leaders have much to learn from Him.

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Last Friday, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I had a thorough medical checkup compliments of my very caring cousin, Dr. Tante Muñoz. I went through 2D-echo cardiogram, ECG and ultrasound. They found out that: 1) I do have a heart; 2) my heart is not enlarged; and 3) my heart is good! On a deeper level, it is important to check: if you still have a heart (that you have not become heartless!); if you do not have an enlarged heart, but a big heart; and if your heart is good, not bad!

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Yesterday was the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. What made her heart simple and pure through it all? Prayerfulness, humility, kindness and joy. Be prayerful, be humble, be kind, and be joyful, and you will experience that peace which the world cannot give or take away. Yes, let us journey with Mary, and she will show us the way.

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The month of June is here. Back to school for most of our students. We remember and pray for them, their hopes, and their dreams. We remember and pray also for their parents, teachers and guardians, including the drivers, the yayas, the helpers, the cooks, and all those who help and guide them in their worthy journey called education.

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Think about this: “The secret to living well and long is to eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure.”

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Inviting you to a pilgrimage to Catholic shrines in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, including the shrine of our first Filipino saint and martyr, San Lorenzo Ruiz, on Sept. 12-21. For inquiries, please call Executive Resources: 5238581 to 88; 5214156 or email: pilgrimscenter@pilgrimage.ph. Website: www.pilgrimage.ph.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, remind us that everything and everyone will pass, and that only Your love will last. Amen.