Seek Him

Stories of miracle.

18 [a]While he was saying these things to them, an official[b] came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel[c] on his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” 22 Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.
23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”[d] And they ridiculed him. 25 When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. 26 And news of this spread throughout all that land.-Matthew9:18-26

A daughter just died. When one dies, it is impossible to bring him/her back to life. A woman has a bleeding problem for 12 years. Could this year be any different with the past years? Hopeless cases, right? But it is very true that if we are in a rock bottom or hopeless situation, it is there that we seek God's help and all the more hopeful. The miracle stories are testimonies that Jesus does not leave us when we need Him the most. However, it is not enough that we only seek God just because we need Him to solve our problems. Our experiences should make us seek Him all the more whether it is in joy or in pain. Our experiences should be turning points in our life making us closer to God, making us aware of God.

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The Key

...know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.

1 [a]He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. 2 And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” 3 At that, some of the scribes[b] said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? 5 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 [c]But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 7 He rose and went home. 8 [d]When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings.-Matthew9:1-8

The Gospel clearly demonstrates Jesus' power to heal and forgive sins. During His time, it is very rare for somebody to show such kind of authority - healing, driving demons away, teaching with authority, mastery over forces of nature, and so on. Today, it is all the more rare to see somebody in his/her full potential. "When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings." We may not have the same kind of gifts that were once blessed to all followers, believers, apostles and disciples of Jesus in the past, but we do have 'gifts' from God for sure. These gifts await to be unlocked. Perhaps it is not much, but the little that we have is worth putting to use for the greater glory of God. How do we unlock something that we do not know? The key is God, the key is with God. We need only to ask and believe.

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The pigs, the demons and mankind today

They what??

28 When he came to the other side, to the territory of the Gadarenes,[a] two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. 29 They cried out, “What have you to do with us,[b] Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.[c] 31 The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. 33 The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.-Matthew8:28-34

Strange isn't it? If the world needs God more than ever, the townsfolk in the Gospel actually begged Jesus to leave. What propelled them to ask His Majesty to leave? Were they afraid of His power? Were they unhappy that the two persons were finally freed of the demons? Were they unhappy for the loss of the pigs? Could be yes, could be no. Grace is poured upon us to accept Jesus as our Savior. It is up to us to recognize and acknowledge Him. There is something much more than profit or possessions. When somebody is freed from his/her evils or illness, we should rejoice because mercy has been given to that person, freedom has been given to that person, another chance has been given to that person.

It is saddening that we have forgotten or lost the knowledge of who we truly are, or what we are supposed to be. We look to the stars and aliens (sic) for answers to our existence. The truth is, it is here; it is obvious. Unfortunately, we look the other way. Some would rather dance their way to hell and sacrifice eternity in Heaven, in exchange for a little bliss on earth. Are we heading to ruin? Is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah not enough for us to learn? Is the Babylon exile not enough for us to learn?

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Tempests

...even the winds and the sea obey

23 [a]He got into a boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a violent storm[b] came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. 25 They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us![c] We are perishing!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”[d] Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. 27 The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”-Matthew8:23-27

Jesus is inviting us to be unafraid when we are confronted by life's sufferings. He is asking us to have faith and believe that all will be well. Besides, we are not alone because God never leaves our side. God may be silent and seems to have gone away, but it is in silence that He works all the more for us. Miracles do happen. Sometimes a little faith is all that is needed.

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The Real Doctor

Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.

5 When he entered Capernaum,[a] a centurion approached him and appealed to him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” 7 He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” 8 The centurion said in reply,[b] “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel[c] have I found such faith. 11 I say to you,[d] many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven, 12 but the children of the kingdom will be driven out into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” 13 And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.” And at that very hour [his] servant was healed.
[e] 14 Jesus entered the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and waited on him.
16 When it was evening, they brought him many who were possessed by demons, and he drove out the spirits by a word[f] and cured all the sick, 17 to fulfill what had been said by Isaiah the prophet:[g]
“He took away our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”-Matthew8:5-17

The stories are a demonstration of Jesus as The Doctor and Divine Healer. When my father was hospitalized a few days ago, I had a good opportunity to observe the doctors and nurses. I am saddened that some doctors use their profession to get rich by actually charging expensively their patients for their medical and professional services. Jesus is reminding those in the medical field to be true to their profession - primarily to heal the patients first and foremost. It is never about the profit, the fee, the luxury, the prestige of being a doctor. It is all about the welfare, wellness and health of those who suffer from sickness.

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What's your miracle story?

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

21 When Jesus had crossed again [in the boat] to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her[a] that she may get well and live.” 24 He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
25 There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28 [b]She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 31 But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
35 [c]While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 [d]So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. 41 [e]He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.-Mark5:21-43

It is never God's intention for us to suffer and die. However, some things do happen for a reason, for a purpose. Once, I held on to these stories; and like Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman, hoped for a miracle, for a happy ending. I spent and exhausted what faith, hope and trust in me as I await for a miracle. But nothing came. But looking back at my experience, my sorrow, pain and suffering actually helped me be a better person. It made me see my wrongs. One thing is certain, whether we got what we asked for or not, whether we have a happy ending or not, God will always be there for us and will always make things right.

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Bravery today

Braveheart.

1 When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And then a leper[b] approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” 3 He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. 4 [c]Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”-Matthew8:1-4

And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Wow! Lepers are not supposed to approach anybody during the time of Jesus. They must make noise when they are around or yell, "Unclean! Unclean!" to keep the people away. Here, the leper approached, did homage to Jesus and asked to be healed; perhaps he no longer thought of the consequences of approaching a crowd with his condition. For the leper, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be near Jesus whom he knows is the only One who can heal him. Perhaps an inner voice is telling him, "Grab it! Grab the opportunity to be healed! Ask Jesus! Be brave! " Bravery is what we need now. Courage to make things right. Courage to change for our betterment. Courage to love again. Courage to start all over again. Courage to ask help. Courage to forgive. Courage to let go. Courage to be healed. Courage to return to God. Courage to testify that there is God. The list continues endlessly. What do you have to be brave today?

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A Beautiful Blessing

What, then, will this child be?

57 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 [a]When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” 61 But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” 62 So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. 65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
... 80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.-Luke1:57-80

“What, then, will this child be?” Every child has a promising future. S/He can be the next president, an astronaut, a company founder, a well-meaning medical doctor, a brilliant scientist, a beloved child that will be there for his/her parents, etc. A baby is never a mistake because primarily it did not choose to be conceived, it did not choose his/her parents, it did not choose the time, place and circumstances of its birth. A baby is always a blessing even though the circumstances surrounding his/her conception might be a little wrong. Why condemn an innocent and pure baby for the wrongs made his/her parents? St. John the Baptist's birth is a reminder to us all that a baby is a blessing from the Lord, a beautiful creation of God fashioned after His image and likeness.

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Better Alternative

Do not be afraid.

16 When it was evening, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea[a] and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. 20 But he said to them, “It is I.[b] Do not be afraid.” 21 They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.-John6:16-21

This is the first time I'm reading this version of Jesus walking in the water. But what struck me the most is the last line in the gospel - 'They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.' I was touched by it because there are many times in my life when I made many plans, many proposals, many promises to God but in the end, He has another plan for me. I tried to make God give me what I want at a certain point in my life, but it was never granted. Though my request was not granted, God gave me a much better gift - I know and still learning Love. It is indeed true that God knows what is best for us.

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Walk away

Test... Withdraw from certain situations...

1 After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee [of Tiberias].[b] 2 A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish feast of Passover was near. 5 [c]When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” 6 [d]He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages[e] worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little [bit].” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves[f] and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass[g] in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. 12 When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” 13 So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets[h] with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. 14 When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet,[i] the one who is to come into the world.” 15 Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.-John6:1-15

It is indeed true that God sometimes would deliberately put us to the test. But it is not for us to suffer, not for us to fail, not for us to be pained. Rather, to test our virtues. And should we fail or give a wrong answer, God will work out something for our betterment. Remember, a gold will never be a work of beauty and art without exposing it to high degrees of fire. In the gospel, Jesus is so close to becoming a king but He faced the situation by withdrawing and being by Himself alone in the mountain. How will it be for us? What are we going to do if instant fame, money and power are thrust to us in the next hour? Can we walk away from it? Yes, we can! Jesus, the first of Mankind, did it. But again, fame, money and power are not evil in itself. How we deal with it will define its effect in our lives. "But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness,[a] and all these things will be given you besides.-Matthew6:33"

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Persevere and Insist

Believe in Jesus.

43 [a]After the two days, he left there for Galilee. 44 [b]For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. 45 When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.46 Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. 48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” 49 The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. 51 While he was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. 52 He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” 53 The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. 54 [Now] this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.-John4:43-54

It is hard to explain why Jesus said to the official, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” As a very good reader of hearts and minds, is it possible that Jesus sensed that the official doubts that his son will ever be healed by anybody? Or, is it simply a test just like the Syro-Phoenician woman? Or, does Jesus wants the official to truly believe and have faith that anything is possible with the God-made-man? Jesus, through the Gospel, is teaching us to believe and have faith that miracles do happen no matter how impossible it is. However, it is true that some petitions are not granted because God knows that it is not good for us. Sometimes, we need also to humbly persevere and insist to God to grant what we ask of Him.

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Reject or Accept?

Miracles happen everyday.

24 And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. 25 [a]Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. 26 [b]It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. 29 They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went away.-Luke4:24-30

Elijah and Elisha are two prophets of the Old that inspired me. The widow of Zarephath and her son are about to die because of the famine. All that is left is a small amount of oil and a little amount of flour enough to make a last meal. However, Elijah asked for their generosity, and in turn asked God that the "jug of oil never run dry, and the jar of flour never run empty" during the famine years. Elisha cured Naaman, a great soldier inflicted with leprosy, and that disease is known to be incurable for a long time. Two stories of hope and miracle. God will always send people to help us. But what will be our reaction? Are we going to reject help? Or, are we going to accept it even if it meant depriving ourselves?

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God the True Giver

God is the greatest Provider there is.

1 In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, he summoned the disciples and said, 2 “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” 4 His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?” 5 Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied. 6 [b]He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. 7 They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. 8 They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets. 9 There were about four thousand people.He dismissed them 10 and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.-Mark8:1-10

This is the second miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. It is sad to note that the disciples' answer to Jesus, 'Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?' is still very humanistic. I cannot blame the disciples because, indeed, where will one go to buy food for a multitude in the middle of nowhere? But if this is the second multiplication of the loaves and fish already, then, they should have known what Jesus would most likely do.

We, too, are like the disciples. Sometimes, we believe in ourselves so much. We believe that we have all the right answers. We believe we know better how to ran our lives. We think we are the better captain and commander of our 'ship.' But the truth is, we do not know what is good for ourselves without God. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Although their eyes were opened, they were still far from being a god, far from truly knowing, far from wisdom, and far from truly knowing good and evil. Yes, we inherited the stain of sin, but we never inherited the benefits of what the fruit truly stands for. God continues to pour upon us His favors and graces. These gifts are overflowing. All we have to do is open ourselves to His invitation.

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A Sad Story

Jesus is The Light and Hope.

40 A leper[a] came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” 42 The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. 43 Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 44 Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” 45 The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.-Mark1:40-45

Today, with the advancement of science, technology and medicine, leprosy is no longer dreaded because there is already a cure. But prior to the discovery of its cure, when a person is diagnosed with leprosy, it spells doom. It is death sentence. I was privileged to be in a pastoral exposure in a former leper colony. The colony is now a very typical sea-side community, very normal, gradually progressing. One interaction with an old lady tore my heart. I cannot remember her name, but let us call her Anna and this is her story.

"It was after the second world war, maybe in the 50s or 60s. I had a husband and a son. We lived happily, and very much contented with the little that we have. One day, I was ill. I went to the hospital and was unfortunately diagnosed with leprosy. My husband suddenly changed. He was no longer the loving husband I knew. He kept distance and showed no interest in me. He wouldn't come near me nor let my child come near me. The pains in the heart are more terrible than the wounds. I have become an outcast and a loathsome creature in my community and in my own home. I heard about the leper colony somewhere in a coastal island. They said the sea breeze, the waters and the medicines there truly help the patients. There I went on a boat loaded with lepers like myself. At the hospital, the stench is indescribable. The agony of the patients is indescribable. But I do not want to be like them. I do not want to smell and rot. I do not want to be loathed at. Despite my own extreme pain, I always crawl into the bathrooms, and bathe myself with laundry soap. It was painful to my perpetually fresh wounds, but I endured it. Nobody would take care of me or give me a bath because the doctors and nurses are never enough for all of us. There are religious men and women to help, but still they are not enough to care for all of us inflicted with leprosy. When I was so weak I can no longer help myself to eat, I thought that that will be the end of me since there's nobody to help me. But God gave me a helper and his name is Rod. Rod is a leper too. Despite his own wounds and pains, he took care of me. It's very funny because he would chew the food, then he would spit it out then spoon-fed me with it. All that I have to do is simply swallow it. Rod never left me since those days. Eventually I, along with the rest, got healed of this disease when cure is finally discovered. I tried to go back to my husband and child, but I no longer heard from them. Rod is now my family."

The leper in the Gospel reading is healed physically, emotionally and socially. His joy is definitely beyond words. Perhaps, everything is hopeless, dark, sad and bitter until Jesus came along, healed him and restored him to life. God's invitation for us all is to be compassionate to the sick and the needy. Let us all be "lights" and agents of hope and love to them.

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Jesus heals

We need God's healing.

53 After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. 54 As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. 55 They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.-Mark6:53-56

As I reflected, I remembered a scene in a movie where a religious icon was passing through some sick persons lying on mats. One man was suddenly cured. However, the local physician said that it was just a farce because it was impossible to be cured by a passing religious icon alone. We live in a world that demands proof. Science can give proof about its methods, therefore, is accepted. While miracles came to be, thanks to God's mercy. Since miracles cannot show its methods, not all are convinced about it. "How? Prove it! Prove it!" they say. I consider our lack of faith in God as a kind of ailment that needs healing. We think we can be captain and commander of our own life, but the truth is, we cannot. Though science has answered a lot of questions, still, an abyss of unanswered questions lie in wait.

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Miracles do Happen

Miracles around us!

21 When Jesus had crossed again [in the boat] to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her[a] that she may get well and live.” 24 He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

25 There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28 [b]She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 31 But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

35 [c]While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 [d]So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. 41 [e]He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.-Mark5:21-43

Two beautiful stories of miracles. Two hopeless cases and yet have been given each a miracle by Jesus. It is strange why Jesus demanded to know who touched His clothes. Indeed every body is pressing upon Him, surely all are guilty of touching His clothes. But there is one - and He knows the woman - who touched Him quite unlike the rest. The woman was full of hope and faith much more than the rest. Is Jesus desiring to condemn or admonish the woman for touching Him considering that she is unclean at that? No. For me, Jesus perhaps would like the woman to bear witness that all things are possible with God. Perhaps the woman's story is intended for you and me and all those reading her miracle story to inspire us, refresh our hope, and energize our faith in Jesus as the God-made-man Who understands all our pains and sorrows.

Image courtesy: artist

Storms of Life

Be still!

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”-Mark4:35-41

Once, I was in the middle of a storm in my life. Just like Jesus' disciples, I asked for God's help and mercy. In the Gospel reading, Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves, then there was calm since the storm was silenced. But my own storm was not silenced. It proceeded in my life and left me with nothing. I felt, too, the highest abandonment from God. However, despite the fact that seemingly God abandoned me and the storm continued to wreck havoc in my life, I believe that in reality, God never left me because the storm never crushed my spirit and my faith. Rather than see the damage of the storm in my life or things that are lost, there is much to be thanked at, there is much accomplishment in me after the storm. Rather than look at what was gone, I looked at what is yet to be gained. Rather than see the "pounding and chiseling of the rock" (in my life) as punishment, I looked at it as a process that I need to undergo through so that the "diamond" in me will come out. The Whys and mysteries of life will be answered by God at the right time and place, but until that time comes, we are all invited to trust Him and His plan for us more than ever.

Painting by: Ludolf Backhuysen (Christ in Storm in the Sea)

Good News!

God is indeed with us!

40 And a leper[a] came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus[b] sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.-Mark1:40-45

When something good or miraculous happened to a person, s/he cannot help but share this good news to others. When a miraculous event happened to me, I was so animated, joyful and so inspired to share it to others. When my friends heard it, they shared my joy and rejoiced with me. Like the leper, I keep on repeating to myself and to others, "God has shown me mercy and compassion. God truly loves me, all of us. God truly listens to us. God truly gives us the help that we need at the right time. God is with us!" Are we bringer of good news or bad news to others?

Image courtesy: artist

The Lord's Wish and Will

It is the Lord's will.

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[a] When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.-Luke5:12-16

Jesus made many healings and miracles. I believe many accounts of these wonderful acts were still unknown to this day. The story of the healing of the leper is not just any ordinary curing of leprosy. What makes it standout from so many healing stories of leprosy is that the leper (in some way) asked Jesus' will. When we are in dire circumstances, we immediately make a list of what we want God to do for us. We immediately make known to God about OUR will. I had encounters with sick people and hospital patients and most of them would say, "I want to be healed" or "I want the pain to go away." When was the last time we asked God about His will? When was the last time we listened to Him? to what He wants from us or what He wants us to do to be better persons?

Image courtesy: artist

God solves all problems!

Everything is possible with God. 

34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages[a]! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.-Mark6:34-44

How indeed could Jesus' disciples face the challenge to feed five thousand men - not counting the women and children? It is but normal for anybody to cringe before a bigger-than-life challenge. But notice that Jesus did not leave His disciples alone in feeding a multitude. It was still Jesus Himself who solved the challenge. Sometimes, we find ourselves before a bigger-than-life challenge. We cower, we cringe, and sometimes we collapse before a problem as evident in so many suicide cases around the world. But today's Gospel is an encouragement for us to be not afraid, for Jesus knew our problems before it even became a reality. Jesus has a solution ready for all our problems, difficulties and challenges long before it came to be, all we need to do is to be open to Him.

Image courtesy: Goodsalt