Right righteousness

Years ago, a lady approached me after my Holy Thursday recollection, telling me how happy she was that she attended it. I asked what touched her most from the talk. There were a lot of nice points she learned, but what touched her most, she said, was when she saw me praying alone at the chapel and kneeling down before the crucifix, before the recollection.

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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 18, 9-14), Jesus warns us against self-righteousness and spiritual pride. The best starting point in our journey to God’s heart is to say humbly and wholeheartedly: “O, God, be merciful to me a sinner.” The works of our hands and the love in our hearts are nothing to God’s tremendous love for us.

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God sees the heart. More so, God sees the goodness in the heart of each one of us. We often tend to see what is bad in others and in ourselves. But God sees and magnifies the goodness of each one of us. Love sees what is good and believes and hopes in goodness.

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“If you, O Lord, should mark our iniquities, Lord, who would survive?” (Ps.130, 3) None of us! We are all sinners. We are all unworthy, yet God has chosen and continues to choose to love us in spite of us, not so much about us. “I thank you, God, that I am good.” That is the way a proud person prays. “I thank you, God, that You are good.” That is the way a humble person prays.

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I have never questioned nor resented the Lord in all my trials. I guess it is because I am confident of His love, and because I never really think of myself as entitled to His goodness and love. But in June 1987, I bargained with God and pleaded with Him to let our Papa live, reminding Him even of my sacrifices and works as missionary priest. Papa died. I was hurt, but I did not stay on with resentment, because I realized how I have received much more from God.

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I am 45 years as a priest this Oct. 25. My overriding feeling is gratitude for God’s faithfulness and love, for people’s prayers and support, and for so much meaning in my priestly life and ministry. There is so much more to learn about humility and love. To God be the glory! To me God’s patience and mercy. Amen!

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People who have money deposited in the bank feel confident and secure. And there are people, too, who feel confident and secure because they have “deposited” a lot of prayers and good deeds. In either case, it is wrong to put weight and importance on what we have or have achieved materially or spiritually. May we learn to focus less on our achievements and merits and focus more on God’s mercy and grace.

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Sharing with you this beautiful prayer, “The Memorare”: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

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Today, let us ask the Lord to free us from our own prisons, and from anything or anyone that makes us unfree. May the Lord free us especially from our addictions and attachments, and from our fears and insecurities. What can set us free from our anxieties about the past, restlessness about the present, and worries about the future? Sincere prayer and trust in God can set us free. There are many things we cannot understand, explain, or control in this life. This we need to learn: Let go and let God.

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See Also

Republic Weekly, 1971

A pilgrim voiced this reflection: “The going up is difficult, but more so the going down.” He added: “It is easy to become proud, and difficult to become humble. It is easy to be unforgiving, and difficult to be forgiving. It is easy to be passionate in our work, and difficult to be compassionate to our fellow workers.” Well said. Amen!

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May we all be reminded as we celebrate All Souls Day later this week that we will carry nothing with us when we leave this world except the love, the faith, and the goodness we have shared. “May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.” And may we, the living, rest in peace!

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A moment with the Lord: