The WORD in other words (2009) Fr Ed Fuguso SVD – SVD Retreat House, Tagaytay City
Monday 7th Week of Easter
There was this story about an alcoholic, playboy, and gambler man (“Alak–Babae–Sugal” in Tagalog parlance) who figured in a serious vehicular accident one night on his way home. With severe head and body injuries and almost unconscious behind the wheel, he saw these big, bold, and well lighted letters- HELL. He knew he was by the gate of hell. Crying profusely he shouted in prayer to God saying, “Lord, I am not ready to enter that place. Give me another chance and I will change my kind of life!” Shortly afterwards, he passed.
The rescuers came, pulled him out of his almost totally wrecked car and he was brought to the hospital. He survived the ordeal, remembered what he prayed to God, and once out of the hospital, he turned a new page in his life.
What he didn’t know was that the place where his vehicular accident happened was by a gasoline station. From his vantage point inside the car before he was rescued, the letter “S” was fully blocked by a vacant billboard. It was “SHELL.”
In today’s Gospel, the disciples were at last happy that Jesus was not anymore talking to them in veiled manner such as in his many parables before. This time they found no need to question him.
Yet, even when he talked to them using figures of speech, Jesus had his own special purpose. When his disciples asked him before, “Why do you use parables to talk to the people?” Jesus answered, “The reason I use parables in talking to them is that they look, but do not see, and they listen, but do not hear or understand. So the prophecy of Isaiah applies to them: “…they will look and look, but not see, because their minds are dull, and they have stopped up their ears and have closed their eyes. Otherwise, their eyes would see, their ears would hear, their minds would understand, and they would turn to me and I would heal them.”(Mt 13,13-15)
Today, there are times when the Lord still talks to us in a “veiled manner” as was the case of the “Alak–Babae-Sugal” man. But He does it surely for a good and special purpose.
Reflect:
- Do you notice the many different ways God comes to your life?
- Do you recognize Him in people, places, and events?
- Do you understand His special message for you?
- Prayer to the Holy Spirit:
O Holy Spirit, kindly open my eyes that I may see. Open my ears that I may hear. Open my mind that I may understand.
