Let our hope spring eternal

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WE all have reason to be always hopeful and even optimistic despite the ugliest fears and worries we may have in our life. And that reason can only be that we can always count on God who is all powerful. Not only that, he truly cares for us, though in ways that may escape our understanding and appreciation. 

This truth of our faith is highlighted in that episode where Christ drove out a legion of evil spirits that possessed a man. (cfr. Mk 5,1-20) Even in the worst scenario, when we inflict ourselves with the gravest of sin, there is still hope because as St. Paul said, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” (Rom 5,20)

We have to reassure ourselves, based on what Christ has promised and has actually done for us, that there can be no crisis that is too big for the grace of God to handle.

We have to remember that nothing happens in this life without at least the knowledge and tolerance of God. And if God allows some really bad things to happen, it is because a greater good can always be derived from them. 

We just have to put ourselves in God’s side to tackle whatever crisis plagues us. That is the real challenge we have to face. And just like what Christ did and continues to do to redeem us, we have to follow the formula he once spelled out: deny ourselves, carry the cross and then follow him. (cfr. Mt 16,24)

If we are willing to do that, then we can even gain a lot more than what we appear to lose and to suffer. In other words, we can say that the bigger, the more serious the problem, the bigger, plentier and stronger also the grace God will give us. So, let us just be game and do our part of the bargain.

It’s not easy, of course. But neither is it impossible. It would really depend on how we see things. If we only consider the enormity of the problem, then we cannot help but feel overwhelmed and even get discouraged. But if we consider God’s abundant grace, even the impossible can be possible for us.

We need to educate ourselves to always remain calm and optimistic when faced with grave problems, and just try our best to discern what God is showing us with respect to resolving a crisis.

Yes, we have to learn to suffer. But let’s never forget that there is always the resurrection of Christ. Christ has already won for us the war against any form of evil. We just have to learn to be with him and not to be so stupid as to do things simply on our own.

We have to strengthen our conviction that every problem and crisis is an opportunity to grow in strength and quality in our spiritual life, in our love for God and others and the world in general. Yes, we need to develop a proper love for the world. We have to conquer the world that will always be beset with the effects of our sins.

Again, let’s do all this with a sporting spirit based on our faith, hope and charity. We may get dirty from time to time, but we can always get up and then move on. To repeat, there is no crisis too big for the grace of God to handle!