Keep going

The story is told about a husband who was facing a big problem: He could not open their home computer. He called out to the wife: “Honey, did you change the password of our computer?” From across the kitchen, the wife said: “Yes, honey! I used the date of our wedding as the password!” Now, the husband had a bigger problem!

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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 10, 1-12.17-20), Jesus warns His disciples about the big and bigger problems they will encounter as they carry out their mission. Aside from the fact that they are very few in number, they will also experience poverty, deprivation, opposition, and persecution. Yet, they must be constant, and they must keep going in spite of problems, in their mission to bring peace and the Good News wherever they go, whatever they do.

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Jesus could have armed His disciples with guns, or given them the necessary skills and provisions, but He did not. Why? Because He was not sending them to wage a war, but to bring peace. His disciples were not mercenaries, but peacemakers. Their strength was their relationship with the Lord, and their obedience to His word.

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By worldly standards, the disciples were the most unprepared and the most unworthy people to carry out such a big mission. Precisely because they were unprepared and unworthy, they learned not to rely on themselves. They learned to draw strength from God. They learned to trust and they learned the value of prayer, humility, kindness and love.

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“Peace to the household.” This was the message of the disciples to every house they entered. Let this be our message, still, in a world that is so torn by war and violence. Let this be our message, still, when all around us there are killings and violations of human rights. Now, more than ever, let peace be our message, our statement, and our mission.

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We must keep going, and not let discouragement set in. We must not be disheartened by failure, opposition, delay, and the sense of futility we encounter along the way. It is God’s work. Let us do our very best, and to God let us leave the rest. As someone said, we are called not so much to become successful as to be faithful and humble through it all.

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We are to keep going, and not stay and linger in our comfort zone. We are on a journey, on a mission. Ours is a constant crossing over, letting go and letting be, and letting God.

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We are to keep going in our mission, but along with this, we are to keep going to God’s heart.  We are not just functionaries. We are disciples with a Master. We must constantly listen to our Lord and Master, in prayer. We are called not just to become a somebody who does this and who does that. We are to become a someone to God and to His people.

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Let us keep going. The Lord has promised that He will be with us always, and He has empowered us. This is our greatest consolation and inspiration. Yes, let us keep going, and as the Lord has promised, let us rejoice because our names are written in Heaven!

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I am writing this column in our Mission Center in San Jose, Batangas, and from my room, I can see bunches of green rambutan which will turn yellow and red in a month’s time. Yes, life goes on. Our rambutan trees were planted by Fr. Among Ricafort, SVD, some 15 years ago, and they will continue to bear fruit long after we are gone. This is a good reminder for us all: to be focused not so much on what we are getting and keeping as on what we are leaving behind.

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President Noynoy Aquino is done, and President Rodrigo Duterte has just begun. Yes, life goes on. May we all continue to do our part in the task of nation-building, no matter how small or humble our contribution. May those who have been mandated to lead and to serve our people not miss their opportunity to really lead and serve, and to leave behind a worthy legacy.

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Let me share with you my thoughts on our journey: The journey comes to an end someday. Exactly when is not for us to know or say. What matters is not the distance to travel, but the smiles, the care, and the time. Go slow, you’re always on the go. Where to, you often do not know. The journey is not about going far and fast. The journey is going to the heart—to God’s heart, to other people’s hearts, and to your very own heart.

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Think about this: “Not everyone will see our sacrifices or appreciate our efforts, or understand our actions and intentions. But let us remember that we are not here in this world to please everyone, but to help anyone.”

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us to keep going, to keep doing our mission, and reach Heaven, our final destination. Amen.