In
1997, after my theological studies in Jerusalem, I joined the World Youth Day
in Paris. The highlight of this experience was meeting Pope John Paul II on his
Papal mobile at a distance after his final Mass at the Longchamp Racecourse where
a million youth spent the night. The choice of Paris was not at all random. The
Pope gave a very striking message right at the heart of the cradle nation of
the Enlightenment and atheism: "We live in an era of great
transformations, in which ideologies quickly set, which seem to have long
resisted the wear and tear of time. Humanity often finds itself uncertain,
confused and worried, but the word of God does not end; it travels through
history and, in changing events, remains stable and luminous.”
At
the end of this experience, I was at a crossroad. I joined the event alone with
no contact and limited funds. I was supposed to join the Filipino Delegation
from Cebu. But with such a crowd, it was almost impossible to locate them. As
the crowd dispersed, I felt deep anxiety and great fear. With my resources
depleted, the frightful question was: where will I go next? I turned to prayer.
I asked Mama Mary to guide me; that the group will find me! Before I could end
my prayer, somebody called my name in an ocean of strangers. I was found! Faith
really works.
In
today’s gospel, the apostles implored Jesus to “to increase” their faith. But
strangely, he did not enlarge or supersize their faith. He simply taught them
that “a small faith” is enough to move mountains. There is a great temptation
for us to make faith complex. Instead Jesus says make it simple. Because real
faith, deeply rooted, never dies. It becomes a power within like a small light
that can pierce the darkness. When we believe, miracles can happen. Faith is
not just an idea or doctrine but a living relationship of trust and love. When
we surrender ourselves to Jesus, he changes our lives. With him in our live,
everything has a purpose. We can deal with anything that comes our way whether
joy or sorrow. Faith always gives us a reason to smile.
Prayer:
Lord, grant me a faith big enough that will give me a reason to smile despite
the storm. Amen.
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