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Verses to live by

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The recent spate of earthquakes which destroyed numerous lives and thousands of damaged properties have placed thousands of people in constant fear. Add to it the onslaught of devastating floods that ruined futures, the continued presence of incurable diseases that affect millions, and the bush fires that never seem to end.

At present, we have US and Iran engaged in their most serious confrontation since the 1979 Islamic revolution. According to news stories, both countries have signaled restraint following the missile attack, however, the threat of an all-out war remains and hangs a Damocles sword above all of us.

In a Holy Mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila celebrating the Feast of the Black Nazarene, Msgr. Tagle expressed hope that the escalating tension in the Middle East would not end in war. In his prayers, he said and I quote:

“Sa ating pagtitipon na puno ng pananalangin [at] pasasalamat, atin pong alalahanin na sa ibang bahagi ng ating mundo ay nag-aamba ang panganib ng karahasan, at hari nawa huwag umuwi sa gitera, sa digmaan.”

He also added saying, “Ipanalangin po natin na maging ligtas ang ating mga kapwa sa Middle East, humupa ang mga pagnanaiis na sirain ang kapwa, humupa ang mga hangarin na maghiganti.”

Looking at all these overwhelming and extremely distressing scenarios, we ordinary mortals can only pray.

But should we be surprised to all these happenings? My answer is that we should not, because all of these have been forewarned in the Bible. In the Book of Luke, Chapter 21, verse 11, it is written: “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” Thus, even before many of us have been born, these things have been known already to happen, so whether we like it or not, there is nothing we can do, except pray.

Pray, not that they will not happen (because they will surely happen, it’s just a matter of time), but to pray that when these things do take place, that we can go through them all with courage and discernment.

It will be hypocritical not to be afraid. It will be insincere to say that we can hurdle over all of these difficult times with great composure and grace. It will be dishonest to say that we are all OK with it because definitely these things are not OK.

But let us bear in mind that there are many things in this world that we just don’t have control of. There are many things that we cannot prepare against. And there are countless things that are just too hard to bear. But one thing that we should not forget — there is a God.

In Philippians 4:6-7, it is written: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And didn’t God promise something to us? Didn’t the Almighty Creator said in Genesis 28:15, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

And if we are really so afraid, we should remember what God said in Isiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

For those of us whose life have been devoured by pain due to the loss of loved ones through calamities or whose hopes have been crumbled with the loss of livelihood due to raging typhoons, we need to remember what God said in Psalm 34:18 which states that “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

And to those who don’t believe that God will save them or those who have doubts, perhaps, Matthew 6:26 must be reflected upon as it is written: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Gitabangan man gani ang mga wala ga-alagad niya ug dili maantigong moampo, unsa na kaha kita nga kanunayng gaampo ug naningkamot gayud nga mahimong matarung sa iyang panan-aw, ug naningkamot pag-alagad kaniya?

Don’t get me wrong. I am not a pastor, priest, or anyone resembling a saint. I do have my own weaknesses, transgressions, my own lapses in judgment, I have also done wrong. But what I am saying here is that in difficult times like what we are going through today in this world, we should never forget that there is someone who promised to be with us in times of trouble. This someone faithfully vows to unconditionally love us despite our misbehaviors.

Let us believe in what God can do and what prayers can do to our lives. When done with fervor and sincerity, it never fails.

________________________________

Author’s email: [email protected]

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