IN CONTROL

 

IN CoNTRol

 

That all may see and know... that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it. – Isaiah 41:20

 

Who’s in charge? For me, this has been a million dollar question that took my wife and me more than three years and three miscarriages to “get” the answer.

Control runs in our capillaries. My wife, Reng, was a leader in our community and worked as the country manager of one of the biggest multinational companies while I, also a leader in the same community, worked as a general manager of one of the biggest construction and trading companies in the

country. So you can say we were pretty much in control. But when Reng had one miscarriage after another, I began to doubt myself. Where did we fail? Above all, where was God?

Then like lightning, it struck me. I realized that we had been so dependent on our own strength and wisdom. But God was God and His ways and thoughts are not like ours.

After the third miscarriage, Reng and I agreed that child or no child, we would let His Spirit lead. Several months later, God proved His faithfulness. Reng conceived again. On March 31, 1999, she gave birth to our baby, David Emmanuel. He is a source of joy and pride for us, his family.

Thanks be to God, He is in control. Hermie Morelos

 

REFLECTION:

“Nothing is too big for God to handle, or so small it escapes His attention.” (Ronald James)

 

Lord, I surrender my life to You. Teach me to trust that Your ways are infinitely better than mine.

 

 

the “JOhn the bAptist” in my life

 

As a young seminarian, I developed this great respect and admiration for a priest who has helped me a lot in nourishing my vocation and loving the ministry that I was called to perform. He taught me to love the church in its entirety — its lights and shadows. He has manifested so much love and concern for me that until now I still value everything that he has done for me during my formative years.

Ten years into my ministry and I still hold dearly in my heart the memory of this pastor. In fact, he has created a deep impact on me that even just the thought of him already inspires me to do better in my service to Christ and his people now. That is how deep an impression he has made on me.

John the Baptist’s greatness lies in the fact that he was Jesus’ precursor. He has prepared the path of the Lord. He has exhorted people to turn their backs on sin and has drawn a lot of people to Jesus. Hence, Jesus’ acclaim of John, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist.”

While the world tells us to aspire for greatness by lording it over others through power, intelligence and beauty, John the Baptist’s life tells us that real greatness is only achieved by leading others to Christ. As Christians we need to take our cue from this man who has been blessed by an accolade coming from Christ himself. If we wish to get the same honor from Christ, then we need to do as John did. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes

 

Reflection Question:

Who served as John the Baptist in my life? How has his example and nurturing impacted my life?

 

Lord Jesus, I thank You for sending me people who paved the way for me to follow You.

 

St. Gregory III, Priest, pray for us.