Punchline

By April 20, 2014Opinion, Punchline

Thy Will Be Done

EFG

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

THERE always comes a time in one’s life when one fully realizes that there is no else there for us but simply God, our Omnipotent Creator.

For some it is the time when one feels very vulnerable both emotionally and physically, desperately needed to be assured of a protection from harm, saved from a certain humiliation, liberated from isolation, shielded from hurt, defended from the ruthless, etc.

Still for some, it comes when we are faced with certain unwanted separation from loved-ones or pitted in a situation that tempts an untimely end to one’s own life.

Sadly, in these situations, it is mainly our fear over our impending loss of security, for our earthly welfare that makes us call on our Heavenly Lifesaver to come to our aid. It is the fear of the unknown and the realization that we no longer have the power and influence to control situations that we thought was ours.

But why do we always wait to be in these situations before we acknowledge the essence of God’s love and mercy?

Because that’s what we were taught. To pray to God whenever we are burdened, when we have wants. To pray to God for blessings in order that we may become whole and fulfilled. As we love to say: Idasal tayo may problema tayo…amay kaukulan tayo.

Yet when we feel our petitions have been answered, many may feel relieved but only for the moment.  The genuine peace of mind we frantically seek continues to elude many of us. Why?

I have known people who found genuine peace and solace in their hearts and in their minds. These are the men and women who’ve come to learn the ultimate about our existence on earth, they who have accepted that with death comes the reward of eternal salvation as promised by our Lord Jesus. I find them among the terminally ill. To them, all our earthly concerns are precisely what they are – a lot of hot air and a fistful of dusts that don’t matter.

It is they who are fortunate…for they have learned how to pray in a manner that gives them the peace of mind.

That prayer is the prayer of full surrender and submission to the will of God. Recall our Lord Jesus’ prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane.

Anticipating his suffering that would start with the betrayal of Judas, followed by scourging and crucifixion, and death, Jesus had a short prayer.  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

It’s the prayer found in our Lord’s Prayer – THY WILL BE DONE.

It’s the prayer we Christians in the Catholic Church have learned to pray but really never took to heart.  It’s the prayer of faith in God’s plan and will.

Truth to tell, I had only come to realize this through the eyes of those who have been stricken with cancer.

I have since discerned that to find peace in our hearts,  we simply need to humble ourselves and accept that we are nothing and have nothing, compared to the omnipotent power and mercy of our Creator.  We must believe and be joyous that we are the beneficiaries of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. We surely need not wait to be stricken ill to have a peaceful communion with the Son of God.

Let us be like Jesus who accepted His Father’s will and trusted in His goodness and mercy.

Happy Easter.  Peace be with you.

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