Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Embracing
By Rene Lizada
Papa's Table
LAST week I learned something. It was such a simple lesson and yet sometimes even the simplest of things elude us. Let me tell you about it.
One of my favorite things is browsing through old books. Those used bookshops at the malls are heaven sent because once in a while, God grants you graces through books. And this time perhaps the gates of heaven opened up because last week, I saw a book that was a gem. It was a book about the Bible and all its stories written in modern form and style. It makes the Bible easier to understand and not only that, is had depth and wisdom. I have not stopped reading that book since last week.
I started with Genesis and I have learned many things. Right now, I am with the story of Moses. It is such a fascinating account of what he did. But what really made me stop and think was the story of Abraham. An old man was told by God to leave familiar territory and bring his family to an alien and strange place. Of course, at first Abraham hesitated, who wouldn't? But this was his God and when his God tells him to do something he does it, no questions. So he packs up and brings his family to this place. His only reason for doing so was hinged on the promises told him namely:
"I will make you a great nation."
"I will bless you."
"I will make your name great."
"You will be a blessing."
"I will bless those who bless you."
"Whoever curses you I will curse."
"All peoples on the earth will be blessed through you."
All these were promised to a 75-year-old man who had no way of knowing what to expect. But Abraham obeyed. When they finally got there, God did a strange thing. He fell silent for thirty tears. Oh yes there were a few rare moments when He communicated with Abraham but for the larger part, God was quiet. Of course Abraham was worried and scared, who wouldn't? But He trusted his God, his God would never let him down. He did not just believe it, he knew it. He embraced this reality in full and unconditional measure even to the point of sacrificing his own son Isaac. But that is getting ahead. Let me take two points here.
First, the question of embracing something. Last week, during mass I heard the priest tell everyone about a woman who had cancer. Instead of cursing the disease, she actually told God not to take the cancer away. She prayed to God not to heal her because she had been healed already for she had become more compassionate and understanding. Through her disease, she learned the real meaning of life.
While listening to that homily, I was reminded of the things that all of us carry. Some of us have diseases of the body while some of us have diseases of the mind and spirit. Some of us are in situations that need healing and embracing. We carry different crosses and like Jesus in order for us to be free, we must embrace the cross because it is in our cross can we find our liberation. But that is easier said than done. Our crosses hide the truth that we must learn. In a way we need to be crucified to find our resurrection. And to do this we must embrace the cross that we must carry.
When I realized that, I asked myself the question, what is the cross that I carry now? What is it that I must bear and endure? And for a time it was heavy and painful because I denied it. And yet when we accept it, when we embrace it, the load becomes lighter, the understanding comes and we realize the futility of denying that which we must bear. Our pain sometimes comes when we cannot accept certain truths or when we deny certain things. Some things will never change, some people never will. Once we accept that then we can move on. Sometimes our pain stems from beliefs that we can change things or people, or that we wish that certain things never happened. By that we are merely doing wishful thinking. But if we accept them, then we can see things for what they really are and stop blaming the world. ourselves and others for the crosses that we carry. With acceptance comes embrace.
Come to think of it, Jesus did not try to change the situation or the people in His passion. He could have but He did not. He eagerly embraced the cross for He knew this was the way, the truth and the life. And so it is with us. With Abraham.
When we embrace our pain, we say to God, God thank you. Thank You for giving me this because I know this will lead me to you. I know that whatever pain I suffer now will be understood when you want me to understand. I know that whatever you have given me will ultimately lead me back to you. And all I ask is you give me the humility and wisdom to know what you are allowing in my life.
Today, I thank God for my crosses. I actually thank Him for it. I know my God watches over me. And just like His promise to Abraham centuries ago, He will bless me. He will take care of me. I know that beyond belief.
(To be continued)
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