By Rev. Fr. Joel G. Delos Reyes
Many people tell the story about their lives, others tell the story of other people’s lives. If our story circles around ourselves, it could sometimes be tainted with pride and self-image. If it’s about others, it may delve on their faults and misgivings. While we joyfully tell about our successes and triumphs, others tell about their travesties and tragedies.
If you emerged safe from a wrecked accident, tell the story about God’s guidance and protection, like a mother to her infant or a hen to her young. If you’ve been healed of your sickness, tell the story about God’s intervention over your malady. If you were emancipated from poverty, tell the story about God’s providence. If you’ve been blessed, tell the story about God’s generosity. If you have a nice job or got promoted tell the story about God’s goodness.
On the other hand, if friends left you, tell the story about our Lord’s abandonment. If your loved one betrays you, tell the story about Jesus’ own betrayal by Judas and denial by Peter. If you find it hard to forgive hurts and offense, recall Jesus’ words of forgiveness as he hung upon the cross. If you’re homeless, tell the story of the Infant Jesus’ homelessness born in a forlorn cave.
Mary of Magdala was overjoyed telling the story about the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple and told them; “ They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t where they put him”. ( Jn. 20: 1-2).
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were recounting about the things that had occurred in Jerusalem when suddenly Jesus walked with them. Then beginning with Moses he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. They recognized him when he took bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them. After which he vanished from their sight. The two disciples set out to Jerusalem at once and told their story to the eleven who were gathered together. (Lk. 24:13-28).
The soldiers told a fake story as instructed and bribed by the chief priests and elders of Jerusalem that Jesus’ disciples came by night and stole his body. And the story of this has circulated among the Jews to this day. ( Mt. 28: 8-15).
Let not the story about our life center on “Me and Myself” alone. Rather let our story focus on God’s goodness and mercy to us. Let us continue to tell and re-tell the Gospel story of our salvation through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Someone said that we forgive even those who are not sorry for their actions. Holding on to anger only hurts you, not them. God can restore what is broken and change it into something amazing. All you need is faith. (Joel 2:25). Train your mind and heart to see the good in everything. There’s always something to be thankful for. It’s better to have the approval of God than the applause of the world. If God doesn’t give you what you want, it isn’t what you need. Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path. Amen on that folks!!
St. Faustina wrote Jesus’ words; “ Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it with peace.” ( Diary 1074).
Pray the Divine Mercy every 3 p.m. Daily recite the Chaplet of Mercy for peace in our families and throughout the world.
