TO ALL THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE FRIGHTENED!
23rd Sunday Year B
September 9, 2012
TO ALL THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE FRIGHTENED!
Truth to tell, we never run out of reasons, on occasion, to
be scared. Just last week, a big quake jolted many people from Davao down
south, all the way up north to Baguio City. Whilst it was powerful enough to
jar everyone’s nerves, fortunately, it was too far off to sea to create what
could very well have been great damage to life and property on a wide swath of
Philippine territory.
A few weeks after the Sendong
tragedy last year in CDO and Iligan, I, together with a group of young priests
on immersion and ongoing formation, was there for a few days. The sight of what
used to be flourishing villages all washed away, or rammed to smithereens by
logs that came cascading down the mountains of Bukidnon, made our hearts sink.
But what really rended our hearts were stories of children, who, upon hearing
the rains fall, would all be racked by intense panic and anxiety (signs of some
form of PTSD!), and would all cry aloud in fear!
I don’t remember when it was that I really was mortally
afraid of something. But I faintly remember being alone in a dark room, deep
into the night, and hearing loud voices in the house. I was probably 4 or 5
years old then. The dark, being alone in a room with no one beside me, the loud
noises coming from outside, and what seemed like panicky, fearful voices about
something I knew nothing about – all made me freeze and break out into a cold
sweat.
I don’t remember what it was that made me scared, but I remember
the feeling. The children in Cagayan de Oro City, also probably didn’t know
what exactly they were afraid of, but the rains sure had a way of reminding
them about the dreaded feeling.
Today, the readings are gently reassuring. For one, they
speak about healing – healing from so many ills, including, of course, fears of
all kinds.
What could these fears mean for us? I can think offhand, of
at least the following …
First, we are all afraid to get sick. One proof of this is
the proliferation of an infinite number of supplements, both local and foreign
manufactured. Local and international pharma companies are making a killing
manufacturing and selling all those medicines, whether essential or
supplemental. Many would-be parents are mortally afraid to have abnormal
children, and so, even if it is really immoral in some cases, they subject
their fetuses to all sorts of invasive and non-invasive procedures, just to
assure that their kids won’t have the equivalent of that speech impediment that
the gospel today speaks about.
Second, we are afraid to be treated as less that we think we
are. We are allergic to all sorts of partialities and biases. We suffer a lot
when we are ignored, when we are treated less than how others of greater means
are treated. We all want recognition and affirmation, and we feel it terribly
when we are not affirmed accordingly.
Been there; done that! I am no spring chicken anymore … been
34 years educating and 30 years a priest. With all these years behind me, you
would think I ought not to have any fears anymore! But I confess I still do. It
is all part of being human. I am afraid to get old and useless. I am afraid of
being taken care of by others. Being naturally self-reliant and in many ways,
also, self-sufficient, I am terrified at having to depend on others for any and
every little thing.
I need healing. I need reassurance. I need precisely what
all three readings today remind us of. I need the good news and the reassurance
that it can bring me, especially in these trying times, when just about
everybody’s aim to is to bash the Church and us, her ministers. I need to be
reminded, like all of you my readers and followers need to be reminded.
Thus I would like to say “to those whose hearts are
frightened” … to myself, and to you all … It is no secret that as human beings,
we also get a little down and out, especially when all accusations (some of
them undeniably true), are hurled against us, for we take a stand against
certain contentious issues, and side by Holy Mother Church!
“Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine
recompense he comes to save you.”
He is on the side of those who suffer, on the side of those
who are sidetracked. Through James, God reminds us: “Did not God choose those
who are poor in the world to be rich and heirs of the kingdom that he promised
to those who love him?”
And Christ, definitely, is on the side of the downtrodden.
He came to heal. He came to save. He came to bridge the gap between those who
have and those who have not. And He makes no secret about his preferences … He
favors the one who is needy, the one who needs help, the one who needs a boost.
At times, we don’t need to look too far. In fact, at times
like these, we can very well look at ourselves and see ourselves for who really
we are: needy, poor in many ways, and utterly dependent on His mercy and
compassion.
He has a consoling and healing word for us: “Ephphatha! Be
opened!”
This is a word for us and all those whose hearts are
frightened! Thanks be to God!
Comments