Don’t panic!

The story is told about a man who texted his older brother: “Manong, the typhoon is coming and all our neighbors are panic-buying! Me? Nag-panic na lang! Wala naman akong pang-buying!” (All I could do was panic because I have no money for buying!)

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In today’s gospel (Lk. 21, 5-19), Jesus tells His disciples not to panic when they begin to see signs that the “end of times” was coming—wars, insurrections, earthquakes, famine, plagues, signs from the sky, and persecutions. He tells them not to be terrified, but to trust and to persevere.

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In these trying times, may we not lose sight of God, who is in complete control of our present situation, and not lose hope amid so much anguish and suffering brought about by the recent natural and political calamities in our land. More than ever, we as a people and as a nation must hold on to Him. If the Lord is in our midst, we need not panic!

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Today is World Day of the Poor. Beyond words, we can never know or understand the sufferings so many people have gone through, are now going through, and will still go through because of poverty. It is time for us to really listen to our people and to their needs, and to help them immediately in any way we can. More than “commentators” or critics, let us be doers of good deeds. Indeed, actions speak louder than words. Time is of the essence here. The suffering of our people is real and immediate. Let our help be real and immediate. And, please, don’t steal from the poor their money, their freedom, and their dignity.

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Storms and tragedies remind us that everything is temporary in this life. Everything is passing. May we grasp this truth and reality, and may the Lord give us the wisdom to live meaningful and significant lives. For those who are obsessed with building their worldly success and achievements, the Lord has this to say today: “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

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“Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (Mt 25: 44, 45). When we come face-to-face with our God, may we have no or little regrets that we loved too little, too late. Beyond our words, we will be judged by our good deeds. Beyond our wealth, beyond our positions, beyond our fame, and beyond our good name, what matters most is that we loved and did our very best, and we did not lose or lessen our goodness.

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“By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” The bottom line is that we make it to Heaven at the end of our lives. Remember, our journey is not so much about speed or power or style as about consistency, diligence and, yes, perseverance. Take the road less travelled. Take the road of prayer, humility, kindness, and joy.

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The best way to prepare for whatever is up ahead in life is to live a life full of love, so that, in the end, we will have little or no regrets that we loved too little, too late.

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We do not know when our life will end … but we have control on how we live our lives. In other words, what matters most in the end is not so much the quantity as the quality of our life.

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After 20 years, I was able to visit Loboc, Bohol, and saw again the bridge that was built across the Loboc River that was never completed. A bridge without a destination. Yes, so many people build up their riches and properties and influence in this world, that lead up to nowhere.

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Inviting you to the 34th Eucharistic congress at St. Joseph’s Convent of Perpetual Adoration (Pink Sisters Convent) at Doña Hemady St. Quezon City on Nov. 29, Saturday, from 7 a.m. (recollection) till 5 p.m. (concelebrated Mass) presided by the Most Rev. Raul B. Dael, D.D., Bishop of Diocese of Tandag. For inquiries, contact their Secretariat Sis. Rita at 09273664116

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, may Your loving presence in our midst remind us not to panic, and not to be so materialistic. Amen.

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momentswithfrjerry@gmail.com