By Fr. Roy Cimagala *
“BE like servants who await their master’s return from a
wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” (Lk
12,36)
With these words, it is quite clear that we need to be
always ready for our meeting with our Creator who can actually call us
anytime. We came from him and we are supposed to go back to him who
wants us to be his image and likeness and sharers of his divine life.
We should never be distracted, much less, forget the real
and ultimate purpose of our life. We are here on earth still being
created and redeemed by God, and we have to do our part in that divine
project. We are here on earth to be trained to be what God wants us to
be, as well as to be tested whether what he wants us to be is also
what we would want to be.
Thus, we need to be vigilant always, both in good times and
in bad times, and most especially in ordinary times which we still
would not know whether it is good or bad. We should never let our
guard down.
This is simply because we have enemies to contend with all
the time. First of all, it is our own selves, our own weakened flesh
that will always lure us to do things against God’s will and against
what is truly good for us.
Then we have the world with all its sinful attractions and
temptations. And, of course, the devil himself. Never discount him.
He’s always around, prowling like a lion looking for someone to
devour. (cfr 1 Pt 5,8)
In what may seem to be good times, when things are more or
less ok, let us thank God and do our best to make use of all the
blessings and good opportunities made available for us.
But let’s not forget that the good things can also occasion
dangers for us if we are not careful. We should know where those
dangers lie in the good things that we may enjoy at the moment. In
that way, we avoid falling into complacency that will practically
spoil us, and take away the goodness of the blessings we are enjoying.
And in what may seem to be bad times, let us never forget to
look for the one good thing in those situations. There will always be
one or two or even more good things on these occasions and turn them
into the vehicles for redemption.
This can happen if we turn to God in the first place. He
will always forgive us and He knows what to do with whatever mess we
make. In that way, we avoid falling into sadness and bitterness, and
can remain calm and hopeful in spite of the suffering and pain we may
be undergoing at the moment.
We really need to upgrade our vigilance skills especially
these days when we are living in an increasingly complex world. We
should not take this need for granted. Remember Christ telling his
disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from
carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life…Be vigilant
at all times.” (Lk 21,34.36)
Let us strengthen our hope that is firmly anchored on our
faith and trust in the ever-wise and omnipotent providence of God. We
should remember that it was God who started everything and it will
also be he who will end, complete and perfect everything. Ours is
simply to go along with him.
* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
