Abide

By Fr. Jerry Orbos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE STORY is told about a young woman who excitedly boasted to her friend about her first date, naively saying: “I was so impressed. I think he loves me! He brought me to dine in this big restaurant with so many choices of food!” When asked what the name of the restaurant was, her response was: “Food court!”* * *

Often, we think we know what love is, but in today’s Gospel (Jn. 15, 9-17) the Lord tells us what true love is: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We go through many levels of loving, but the bottom line of love is sacrifice, i.e., dying to oneself, and in some cases, literally dying for others.

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I am writing this column in the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal where the Blessed Mother re-echoed her son’s message that we love one another, and issued her call to the world to “banish war and fears.” At the side entrance to the shrine is displayed a piece of the Berlin Wall, a testament that indeed, a lot of things can be achieved by prayer and penance. But the mission goes on. There are still a lot of walls between us and among us that need dismantling, and a lot of prisons within us that need breaking.

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I have done a lot of pilgrimages, and more and more, I see pilgrimage not so much as a journey to pilgrimage sites, but a journey into God’s heart. For indeed, one can go to all the holy places and be awed by all sorts of religious experiences, but if there is no real conversion and no moving on, then it’s all talk and decoration. Don’t get me wrong: Pilgrimages are a big help to conversion, and I have seen a lot of pilgrims change and become better persons, but the journey to God’s heart can begin anywhere, anytime, as long as a heart is open.

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The journey to God’s heart begins with humility. At the sanctuary in Fatima, on the eve of the anniversary of Mother Mary’s first apparition in Fatima, Portugal, it was such an awesome sight to see an ocean of lighted candles from people all over the world, braving the rain and the cold, each one begging the Lord for mercy, and pleading for forgiveness, favor or help. Yes, the journey to God’s heart begins when in all humility one says: “I need you. I cannot do it alone. Lord please help me.”

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It is amazing that in that crowd of about 100,000 one felt that one was not alone, and that one was loved. I felt the personal love of the Lord and the Blessed Mother, assuring me that I was understood, appreciated and forgiven. God’s heart is so big, and there is plenty of room for everyone, anyone.

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If you look at the image of Our Lady of Fatima, you would notice that her head is tilted toward the left, toward her heart, signifying that she is listening to all who come to her heart. That makes her right ear turned upwards, signifying that she is also listening to God. Mama Mary shows us that true loving is listening with one’s heart. Without prayer we cannot truly love; and without love, we cannot truly pray.

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Whenever I travel abroad, I can’t help but sigh in prayer whenever I remember our country, the Philippines. I am filled with mixed feelings when I think of our present situation: Sadness for the sufferings of our people; for the greed and selfishness of our politicians and government leaders; admiration for the courage and faith of our simple people; and optimism that in spite of all that we are going through, there is reason, there is meaning, and there is hope. We must believe, and keep on believing that God loves our country, and that He has a beautiful plan for us. Presumptuous? It is better to be presumptuous of God’s love.

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Speaking of Fatima, Fatima Soriano, the blind girl who has touched so many people with her inspiring courage and joyful faith is back in the Philippines. When I asked her how she was taking her return to our country after a year in the United States, her simple reply was: “Siguro may plano si Lord, at may misyon pa ako dito sa Pilipinas [Maybe the Lord has a plan, and I still have a mission here in the Philippines].” Come to think of it, a lot of our problems would be lighter if we were more trusting and more submissive to God’s will. “Remain in my love.” This is what the Lord tells us today.

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When I asked Fatima Soriano what she missed most about the Philippines when she was abroad, her answer was the simplicity and the joy and laughter of Pinoys. In America, people worked and just worked, and the few times they got together, all they talked about was money and material things. Even the laughter over there was different, she said. Indeed, it is not enough to live successful lives, but significant lives. Life is not so much about riches and comfort, but about meaning and bearing fruits.

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Remaining in God’s love means persevering till the very end. For those who may feel tired, broken or disillusioned about living and loving on, please don’t let go of these three basic reasons for holding on, namely: to give God the Glory; to obtain for others God’s grace and bounty; to ask God’s forgiveness and mercy. In the end, what matters most is that we did abide in His love. Let us all pray that in God’s mercy, He will give us final perseverance.

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PHILIPPINE SVD CENTENNIAL MOMENT: Since 1972, Fr. Leo Schmitt, SVD started some kind of a “Gawad Kalinga” project by helping the homeless urban poor relocate themselves to affordable housing projects in Antipolo, Rizal. Through the management of the Samahang Bagong Buhay, and with funding from Misereor Germany and help from friends, Father Leo provided not only housing for the poor but also created communities living together in faith and love. Because he remained and continued to remain in God’s love, this SVD missionary has borne many fruits such as San Antonio Village, San Jose Freinademetz Subdivision, Simona, San Agustin Village, and Janssenville, to name some, not to mention the many lives and hearts he has touched.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to abide by your commands and to abide in your love. Amen.