Don’t be a cross giver
The story is told about a man who promised the Lord that he would follow Him and take up His cross across the seven mountains of life. But as he journeyed and struggled on, he began to complain about the weight and size of his cross, at times even sawing off some parts of it to make his travel easier. When he reached the seventh mountain, alas! He could not cross over to the other side, because his cross was too short.
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Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is through the Lord crucified on the Holy Cross that we have been saved. It is through our crosses in life that we will merit eternal life. The world sees the cross as folly. Our faith teaches us that there is meaning and merit in our crosses, trials and sufferings.
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In today’s Gospel (Jn. 3, 13-17), we read the most beautiful and most important line in the Bible: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so he who believes in Him might not perish, but might have eternal life” (Jn. 3, 16). In this world where there is so much suffering, and in our own lives where we experience so many crosses and limitations, we must hold on and keep on believing that our God is a God of love, no matter what.
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There is a story about angels who came down to earth from heaven to find the best gifts they could bring to God the Father. One by one they returned and started offering their gifts. One brought the most beautiful rose from earth. Another brought the sweetest mangoes from Pangasinan, and yet another the juiciest lanzones from Batangas. But what pleased the Father most was the gift of a little angel, who brought a teardrop from a man who was praying in a dimly lit chapel, saying, “Lord, I do not understand why I have so many trials in my life, but I will continue to be strong and believe that You love me, and that You have a plan.”
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“Someday you will understand.” Mama always told us to be patient, to endure, and to hope that someday we would understand why we have to undergo trials. She was such a simple but strong believer in God’s grace and providence. It was not easy to always believe her teachings and her creed, but as I grew older, I realized, and can now attest, that there is so much wisdom and learning that I have gained from this woman of simple, humble and hopeful faith.
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We are all cross bearers, but God forbid that we become cross givers! Life is difficult enough. Let’s not make it difficult for others. You who make life difficult for others because of your selfishness and greed, listen to our God of love telling us again and again to love one another. I wonder how people who steal and deprive others of what is rightfully theirs feel. Sometimes, I wonder if they feel at all.
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While everybody is busy these days making a name or clearing their names, let us be reminded of the difference between reputation and character. A text message I received said: “Reputation is what men and women think of us. Character is that which God and angels know of us.” Amen to that!
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Think about this: You may get away or you may elude entrapment upon cross-examination on legal matters on this earth but there will be the final cross-examination where your crosses in this world will be weighed, and the crosses you have left behind to others will be inventoried.
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This column wishes to pay tribute to the many nameless people who suffer and who carry their cross daily. The world may never know or understand, or even care, but do know you are never nameless to God who love you so much that He gave His only Son. Believe, and keep on believing. Hold on to God. The cross you carry now will help you cross over to eternity.
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Ponder on this beautiful text message: “Every trial is a call to prayer; every burden is a bridge to the Lord; every difficulty is an invitation to bend our knees. Whatever is your cross, it will make you a better person.”
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Fr. Paulo Prigol, CS, reminds us that Sept. 28 is National Seafarers’ Day. We honor the many Filipino seafarers who make untold sacrifices all over the world for the sake of their family, and for our nation. We salute them for their hard and honest work for our country, in contrast to the rich and the powerful who steal from our people. Mabuhay ang mga Pinoy at Pinay seafarers.
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help us to carry our cross daily, and not be a cross to others. Amen.
