The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Melchor Fuerzas SVD – University of San Carlos, Cebu City
Tuesday 8th Week in Ordinary Time
I once joined a procession of the cross during a Good Friday liturgy where the parishioners walked barefoot as a sign of penitence and reparation for past sins. One of the parishioners noticed me walking in my slippers. He asked me why and I answered, “I do other sacrifices for the Lord not seen by others .”
Today’s gospel stresses the point that following Christ involves a lot of sacrifices, of giving up something for the benefit of others. Rewards should be the farthest from our minds, for it is all in the hand of God who explicitly promised such.
I am reminded too of the modern missionaries of our time – the Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs). They too made great sacrifices, they who have left their homeland and their families in search of greener pastures.
Yet they brought with them a missionary spirit in the practice of their faith. Whether at home or away from home, in their own country or in a foreign land, in trials, suffering and joy, they keep exercising their faith.
They too like any believer of Christ anywhere responded to the invitation of today’s gospel to giving up, of taking sacrifices for God.
