NOT WITHOUT PAIN

NOT WITHOUT PAIN

 

“Follow me…” – Matthew 8:22

 

High from my Holy Land pilgrimage experience, I had wanted to enter the religious life. I wanted to give God my whole life, to love only Him and serve Him. I thought it was the best way I could follow Him.

But when subsequent search-in retreats and discernment process revealed that God wasn’t calling me to the religious life, I told the Lord, “Just tell me what to do or where to go, I will follow You.”

It was a simple sentence — though not really simple, I found out later. It involved my whole life. It led me to face my hidden issues and weaknesses as well as give glory to God with my strengths and talents. It led me to different routes and ways of serving God. It led me to simplify my lifestyle and to be grateful for even the tiniest blessing.

The above didn’t happen without pain. There was a lot of push and pull, and many times I wanted to take back my word.

It’s a good thing the Lord knows how it is to be human. Whenever I want to give up, He’s there to comfort me and whisper to me what He wants me to learn in each difficulty and trial. And when I’m ready again, He gives me a pat on the back and tells me once more, “Follow me.”Tess V. Atienza (svp_tvatienza@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Following Jesus is a daily commitment.

 

Lord Jesus, I want to follow You. Please hold my hand.

YOU ARE MY INHERITANCE, O LORD!

 

Anyone who has ever received something passed on as heirloom from the past knows how valuable that is. One tends to treasure it, no matter how materially insignificant. Whether or not precious materially, it carries a value which no money can buy – the sense of connection and intimacy with whoever has passed it on as inheritance.

My sister, who is a nurse in the US, had this unforgettable experience. She had an old man for a patient for some time. Knowing that her daughter was learning piano and violin at that time, the old man included her in his last will and testament. No, it was not about money or anything materially valuable. He passed on to her his favorite piano pieces. I imagined that something he so valued in his life was passed on as inheritance to someone whom he probably thought would value it just as he did.

Elijah passed on his valuable cloak to Elisha. Elisha valued it just as much and followed his footsteps. Elisha stood in stark contrast to the three

would-be disciples in the Gospel passage, who hemmed and hawed, just to avoid the equivalent of that cloak, and the responsibility attached to it. Each had a valid reason against accepting the most difficult part of the deal of discipleship.

Something more than just piano pieces is offered us. That cloak of discipleship is waiting for us to truly receive and make our own. Elisha shows us the way. St. Paul reminds us that we have been given what it takes: “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit to the yoke of slavery.” That yoke takes the form of too much attachment to kith and kin, or the fear of not having enough for the journey. For still others, it might be the incapacity to let go of persons, places, or things.

The psalmist’s prayer is a reminder for us to see things from God’s vantage point. He gives not just a cloak, but Himself. Together with Him, we pray: “You are my inheritance, O Lord!” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

Reflection Question:

How much do I value the inheritance of faith that has been passed on to us by the apostles?

 

Lord Jesus, You have given us a most valuable inheritance — our faith. May I learn how to nurture it day by day.

 

St. Emma, pray for us.