By your Perseverance: A personal reflection during our community faith sharing (Luke 21:5-19)

   

           I am struck personally by the words  "  You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.  By your perseverance you will secure your lives."  In these words, I have clearly seen the greatness and the love of God which gives me hope to fight more by the power of his name because of the assurance that he will always there to rescue me, to lift me up, to support me, to accept me, to empower me and  to save me,  knowing…. that not even the hair of my head will be destroyed.  It is a great assurance of deliverance and courage to fight the good fight of faith because I know that I have a God who always at my side.  Then, it follows at the same time his invitation for me to persevere, persevere in prayer, in love, in hope and in faith. 

Looking back and reflecting the present situation in the Philippines…

      I am not afraid that God will destroy the Philippines or the whole world for example, but I am afraid that He may abandon it to wander blindly in the sophisticated wasteland of contemporary civilization.  I am not afraid that he will allow us to want for food, water and medicines, but I am afraid that he may abandon us to the temptation against faith. It is not easy, I admit, seeing my brothers and sisters who have devastated by the typhoon, who have lost their lives and properties, who are dying of hunger, justice, persecution, and even corruption… seeing the eyes of the children crying, and people losing,  I once have thought "Lord, this is already too much!!!"  But with my appeal and prayers I have the conviction that God have not abandon us.  Personally, I will presume to say that I have experienced the terrors of the night of the Spirit, and I do not know whether that night is the same as the one described by St. John of the Cross.  I only know that it is a terrible experience to find oneself with one's faith exposed before the stark Reality of God.

And there is one way, the only way of coming through the experience: the way of childhood, littleness, humility, persevering prayer, tears. This is the invitation of God for me at this moment of darkness…to persevere in trusting, in believing and in loving, hoping that we will see the rainbow after the rain.  

      Lord, my God, pity your people, and do not be over severe with them.  I know they spend too much time trying to reach the stars that you yourself call by name, and leave so many of our brothers and sisters to die and to suffer, but Lord, you will see that some good will come of it.  You will see that from the porthole of some space ship one of them will celebrate your greatness.    I have confidence that our people have strong faith in you despite of our helplessness and nothingness. One thing I ask of you, above all, make us aware of your touch through this experience, and help us to recognize your presence in all the people who have given their hands and resources to help us so that our people may persevere in living our faith, hope and love.