“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”Such words from this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 21:16) provide us with hope that, ultimately, our present difficulties and struggles will end, as long as we put our trust in God’s promise.
Indeed, the year that is about to finish has been a hard period for us because of the global financial crisis and the natural calamities in Asia. And yet when we look at our lives, we realize that we’re still standing up. We may have lost income or relationships; our health might have suffered, but here we are, alive and still persevering. Our thinking might have become blurred with problems; our hearts might have been heartbroken, but our hope has never perished. We have a God who is bigger than our problems. All we need to do is to keep reminding one another that “this too will pass…”
It’s hard to believe that the year is ending. I guess that when we are preoccupied with work, projects, and studies, we never notice the days that go by. At the same time, the people around us, especially those that care for us make our lives easy with their affection and presence. Personally, this is what gives me hope–the friends that assure me of their support, love, and loyalty. They will always be there when things get tough; they’re the angels that God has sent to console me, to rescue me from anxiety ordiscouragement. My Church is, of course, another one that gives me strength with the Sacraments and the Word of God.
Fear can overtake us when we begin to think of problems and the future, but we must hold on to our faith and pray to God for wisdom and clarity of mind. Moreover, we can’t solve problems by ourselves. There are people that have the ability to assist us.
Courage is what we also need when a crisis comes to our lives. We have to ask God for it. When we have courage, we can face the future. It’s an essential virtue. Using a popular television advertisement, “We can’t leave home without it.”
In the end, it is still God that we turn to in moments of hopelessness. The Psalms this Sunday expresses this truth: “You are my in heritance, Lord…my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.”
For those of us who are undergoing trials, may we never live in despair, but hope in God and always believe that “this too will pass.” After all our pains and struggles, God’s promise of love and salvation will always remain.And as long as we hope, our dreams for a better life and the end of our sufferings will come through. Our mutual love, support, and friendship, of course, are additional consolations.
May we have the courage to live every moment of our lives! God bless us all!
