Pass over

The story is told about a father and his little boy who were on a trip. The little boy said: “Wow. Nice overfly, Dad.” “It’s a flyover, son.” Again the son said: “I saw many pedestrians at the pass-over a while ago.” “Ah, that’s an overpass, son.” Feeling confused now, the little boy said: “OK. When will you take over the slow car ahead of us?!”

In today’s Gospel (Jn. 6: 1-15), we hear about the miracle of multiplication made over the loaves of bread. It was a great passing over of God’s blessings to the people who were hungry. But, equally important, Jesus taught the people that, for a miracle to happen, they had to pass over from selfishness to sharing, from hoarding to giving.

First, Jesus taught his disciples to pass over from doubt to faith, from human calculations to openness to possibilities. We all need to learn to trust God more and worry less, and give God a chance to work in our lives. Lord, help us not to be proud before You.

Second, Jesus taught the crowd to pass over pride in favor of humility. He had them recline, and they obeyed. It was Jesus’ way of making them humble to each other, and not to outdo or outsmart each other. Lord, help us not to be proud before others.

Third, Jesus taught the people the power of prayer. He took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks and distributed them to all, and they all had their fill. Indeed, there is enough for everyone, if only we go beyond our selfishness and greed. Lord, help us to pray and share more.

There was a little someone who made this tremendous miracle happen. Who? The little boy who shared his five barley loaves and two fish! If he did not share, the miracle would not have happened. Be that little girl, that little boy, to start a miracle that will benefit so many people. You who have received and have been blessed so much, let not the miracle stop with you.

The outpouring of prayers for my healing and recovery these past days is something short of a miracle. When we ask something for ourselves, that is personal (and often selfish) prayer; but when we pray for other people, that is loving prayer that is pleasing to God. Thank you, again, for praying for me, and for praying for me much.

Let my sickness be for God’s glory. May my sickness, too, bring people closer to God and to one another. It has certainly brought me and my siblings to praying together, as we prayed the rosary and had Mass together, especially when I was recuperating at the hospital. Our sister in the United States, Bing, joined us via smartphone, together with our Papa and Mama, smiling at us from heaven above. Prayer makes us pass over walls and barriers.

“I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you; in three days you shall go up the Lord’s temple; I will add 15 years to your life” (Isaiah 38).

Wow! When I heard this reading last July 20, there were tears in my eyes. I made a quick computation (64+15=79), and I said to myself: Yes, Lord, I humbly and gratefully claim it. It’s good! Good enough, more than good enough for me, if You so grant. Amen!

What’s up ahead? I don’t know. The final result of the biopsy, and what medical interventions are needed to be done, will be known next week. In the meantime, let us rest much, pray a lot, and joyfully wait with hope in our hearts. God is in charge!

A relative sent me an uplifting text message telling me that she dreamt of my Mama—that my Mama is smiling at me, and is always near me and beside me, especially these days.

A moment with the Lord: Lord, help us to pass over from our selfishness and pride, and live loving and humble lives. Amen.

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