Gifted by God

The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr. Alan Meechan, SVD – Barcenaga, Or. Mindoro

Friday 5th Week of Easter

The Easter season is drawing to its conclusion.  In our liturgy, Jesus is preparing to go back to the Father and this beautiful and striking passage is part of his farewell discourse. Jesus, who “had loved his own in the world,” began by washing his disciples’ feet.  His loving mission will now continue though the disciples.  

One dark night last year, I was cycling home to our mission area when a drunk on a bike without a light crashed into me.  His handlebar smashed against my cheekbone, and X-rays later showed two fractures of the eye socket.  The doctor looked worried.  He thought my right eye would be seriously damaged so he sent me for another X-ray at once.  However, when he looked at this X-ray, he exclaimed delightedly, “Malakas kayo kay Lord, Father!”  He could not understand how the eye had been saved. 

I do not think the doctor’s words meant that I can twist the Lord round my little finger, but perhaps rather, that I am loved by God, even though I may not always be so strong in returning that love.     

We are all malakas kay Lord. We only need to ask in Jesus’s name and it will be granted to us.  This does not give us the freedom to be selfish in our asking, but if we share and grow in this close relationship of love with Jesus and with each other, we will become so near to the Father that we will want in our lives only what the Father wants.  We will live out the prayer Jesus taught us: Mapasaamin ang kaharian mo.  

An American professor explained clearly this part of the gospel: “John’s concern is that the disciples learn to act like people who possess the gift of the Lord’s presence by their attitudes of love, service, and unity.” If only we could act like this!  Perhaps to a degree, somewhat marred by our sinfulness, we already do, but we still have a lot to learn!