20th Sunday of the Year - Year C

The Christian Life as a Struggle
Many new converts to the faith think that when they really decide to be Christian all their problems and struggles in life will simply disappear as if a miracle were granted to them from above. True, when we have faith in Christ, we will be be able to surmount all the difficulties we will be facing in our life and in the world. But the struggle remains. Even our Lord had to struggle against the temptations of the Evil One in his fasting and prayer in the desert. And this struggle against saying "NO" to the Evil One came to Him even while He was on ministry. Several times during His ministry He was tempted - and it even came from one of His closest friend and most trusted leader - Peter!

The struggle against evil and against the forces of sin and death is part of the life of every Christian. As soon as we get consecrated to God through our baptism, we get enrolled in the University of Adversity - a Catholic school where the school uniform's colors are black and blue. Just think of all those Christian martyrs who had to struggle in sticking to their faith and keeping their stand as Christians against the heathen Roman rulers. It was the Spirit that gave them divine courage and virtue to withstand all the pain and torture they had to undergo. Do you think we would have that same courage and virtue? It's really quite dramatic to think of but we can as long as we focus on the Lord and keep always our sights on Him. Nothing shall deter our commitment and our love for the Church if we but cling to His Spirit in faith, hope, and love.

As a Christian, we may be called to speak out about our faith. This was the call of Jeremiah the prophet. A prophet speaks in behalf of God. It's okay if the prophet says that God loves His people and will promise them much blessings of land and posterity. But what if the prophet were called to say things that are not nice to hear. This was the call of Jeremiah. Oh, how they hated what Jeremiah was saying to the people. They even went to the extent of placing him inside a cistern for him to die. It was indeed terrible for Jeremiah to experience such pain and trials in his life as a prophet for the Lord. We may not be called to the same intensity as Jeremiah's call but it is also our responsibility as Christians to practice our prophetic vocation (received at our baptism) in our own families, workplaces, and communities. Sometimes we have to say something not nice to a fellow Catholic so that he may know that what he is doing is not in line with the stand of the Catholic Church. That is not easy especially if it is a close friend of ours. Let us imitate the example of St. Thomas a Beckett who chose to take the stand of the Church instead of his friendship with the King of England. Focus on Christ and His Church and let no earthly friendship stand in our way in our commitment to the Lord. It may indeed cause a lot of strife and conflict but the Lord said that the peace He gives is not the peace that we know of in the world. It is a peace that is a result of justice - giving to the Lord what is due - the virtue of religion. We may be divided in so many issues present in our Catholic world society. Let us always discern where the Spirit of God is - where the Spirit of Life dwells - and take that path. The road to life is narrow and hard but that is the struggle we must have to take. Never mind the present hardships and difficulties. Focus on what lies ahead - the goal, the vision - the future of eternal life awaiting us. A life with God forever.

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Thursday, August 05, 2004

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19th Sunday of the Year - Year C

God's call dignifies us. Before the call, we usually go about our usual life and being our ordinary selves. But when He calls, God gives us a certain dignity that makes us distince and separate from the rest of humanity.

We only have to look at the example of Abraham. Abraham was old and he had no son. In the eyes of the world, especially the Jewish world, he was somewhat of a failure. But that was soon to change when the Lord called him to be His special friend - and to be the father of many nations. At first, Abraham did not know what responding to the call would entail. He had no idea where he was going and where God was leading him. But he trusted and had confidence and trust in the love of God. He had so much trust that in that journey of following the call his faith in God was even tested to the point that he had to prove his love by sacrificing his son Isaac.

Are we also called by God? Certainly and in many ways. It might not be in the same magnitude and degree as Abraham but it is God's call nonetheless and it will surely dignify us and make us glorious in His sight. It is up to us to discover what that call is. It is in line with the personal vocation that is unique to each and everyone of us. All of God's calls to His sons and daughters are unique and singular for each of us are truly made in a mold that was used only once. Each of us are "fearfully and wonderfully made". Everyone of us, each one, has a role to play in the greater plan of God for humanity and the world. What that role is, what that part is, what that corner of the sky is, whatever it is, will surely contribute to the building of the Kingdom. And we should not downgrade what we are doing now even though we may not be especially aware that it is already a call. What we are doing now, if it is really God's will you are seeking in everything you decide and do, is indeed part of God's greater scheme of things.

There is an anecdote of two laborers who were working to materialize a plan to build something. One laborer was asked what he was doing. He said, "Oh, I'm just doing this thing day in and day out, shoveling here, putting the bricks over there, and all sorts of ordinary things a construction worker is supposed to do. It's a bit boring, but I need to make a living." The other laborer was asked what he was doing and this was what he said: "Oh, I'm doing my part in building the cathedral that the blueprint is supposed to tell us what to do! I'm excited because this cathedral will surely be a great cathedral!"

An attitude of faith is what counts in life. It gives us positivity. Even when things are bleak and dismal, faith is like a beacon that directs us to a hope that will never disappoint us. It is for sure that faith is a gift that when given to us must be treasured greater than gold or diamonds or anything materially precious on earth. All material things will rot and fade away but the gift of faith, if kept alive by much prayer and dialogue with the Lord, will not only guide our way and give us life, but can also strengthen our relationship with God in such a way that we can strengthen the faith of our brothers and sisters in the Christian community.

An attitude of faith is important. But we must also do our part. And we need to be vigilant and prepared. Faith is a gift, yes. But it must be embodied in action. When a situation calls for an action of faith, we may have the gift and the attitude, but if we do not act, it is nothing.

So, whenever we feel the call of God to do something good, let us not hesitate to do it. Let us respond immediately. The call of God is an opportunity for Christian excellence - that excellence that makes us saints. Let us not miss that opportunity or don't take notice of it. Otherwise, how can we do our part to build that "great cathedral"!