Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Sister Theresa SSpS
Wednesday 2nd Week of Advent
Except for the noise from buses and jeepneys outside, Quiapo Church was quiet at 2:00 o’clock p.m. with just a handful of women and men on their knees. I sat at the pew nearest the main door and then felt the gradual loosening of my muscles and nerves as I begin to be connected to that powerful silence. Ten minutes later, a faint voice was behind me. “Sige na, Poon. Saan po baby ko? Balik ka na baby ko. Sige na po…” Then I heard unique murmurs. I looked behind me and saw a woman, mentally deranged, “sira ulo” I supposed.
My first impulse was to leave for fear of she hurting me or throwing words at me. Instead, I allowed the power of peace I was gradually experiencing to rule over me, then uttered a prayer. “Ease her burden, Lord.” After a minute, the woman went towards the altar, stood there for quite a while, made the sign of the cross as she genuflected, then walked out of the church.
If you observe closely, most mentally sick people become sober and peaceful when they enter a church. It seems that in their present state, everything has been forgotten: family, friends, relationships, one’s identity, etc. Only one thing remains. Her/His relationship with the Silent God. It seems, she/he recognizes no one else – only God. It seems it is only in this Silent God in whom she/he feels secure. It seems the only invitation she/he hears is God’s, “Come to Me all you who are burdened…I will give you rest…” and nobody else’s.
This indeed is the voice of God resounding from the very depths of one’s being. Being absorbed in our many concerns: work, ambitions, desires, social relationships, or even families and friends, can hinder us from hearing this invitation of God to lean on His chest and find rest for our weary hearts. Unconsciously, being overly concerned with many things including our SELF gives us no peace and causes in us impatience, irritability, anger. Jesus, the Son of God who became man, knows our weaknesses even before we can own them. Without us asking, He offers Himself, to be there, and ease our burdens. “ Just come to Me ,” He would say, “ and you’ll learn from my humble heart. There you will find rest for your soul.”
Try it today… tonight… now. He’s waiting.
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