The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr Roger Solis SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
Friday 25th Week in Ordinary Time
I remember, during my seminary days, the question, “Who do you say that I am?” often served as introductory part in most retreats and recollections we handled. Oftentimes I got satisfying responses from different groups. But there was one occasion when a first year student caught my attention by surprise with his moving story about God.
During the group sharing, the boy suddenly burst into tears while narrating his unforgettable experiences in life. His stepfather had been maltreating him since he was in first grade. He was forced to go to their farm every morning to tend their swine, goats, and cows without having anything to eat. He would spend more time working in the farm than in school. As a consequence, he can barely read and write even if he had already completed elementary. He was just lucky because his elementary teachers out of pity allowed him to pass by giving him the lowest passing grade. Worst still, his mother couldn’t do anything to stop these abuses due to financial constraints. His unschooled mother was a plain homemaker and widowed at a young age so she was forced to marry his stepfather. This boy has been very disturbed physically, emotionally, and psychologically throughout his life. But when asked who Jesus was for Him, he firmly said, “He is my everything and my hope.”
How many of us have experienced tragedies in life yet unable to be firm with our commitment to Christ? How many of us who have been struck with challenging problems would simply stop going to the church because of the feeling that God had abandoned us? This boy reminds us of the disposition of the early Christians that despite of everything that had happened to them, they were still able to cling to the one that gives them strength and conviction. How lucky that boy is to have that faith. That simple encounter with the boy made me evaluate my relationship with God. And for this the question, “Who do you say that I am?” will always be a significant part of my religious missionary journey.
