40 Days of Lent: Day 16
22 Mar 2023 | Office for Mission and Identity (OMI)
40 Days of Lent: Day 16
We never pass through this life without being hurt or without hurting others. While we cannot do anything about the person who caused our pain, it is within our control to alleviate what we inflicted, whether we brought it about consciously or unconsciously. It is never wrong and too late to say sorry if we truly mean it.
Perhaps apologizing is admission of our vulnerability, our mistakenness, our lack. This may be disconcerting. But when we do so, does it not lighten our heart? Does it not free us from any unhealthy pretention that we are right all the time, that we are more powerful than we really are, that we are never in need of help with our vision and action? Does it not help heal us and the person we hurt, who may both be equally lost or struggling in this journey of life? In truth, to say sorry is to be strong and to acknowledge that we are gifted and loved.
When Jesus died on the cross, he knew he was offering his life for imperfect persons, persons who can hurt one another and persons who actually hurt him. Nevertheless, he saw us worthy. And so acknowledging our mistakes can never take away our value before God. Nor should it diminish us before our self. The fact is that when we apologize, we honor Christ’s sacrifice and we open ourself to the graces of reconciliation and wholeness. Today, may we take the time to reflect on what we may need to say sorry for and to whom. It may not be easy or quick to actually do it but we can ask the help of our Lord whose love for us is always deeper, stronger and wider than any wrong we may have committed.
40 Araw ng Kuwaresma: Ika-16 na Araw
Hindi tayo dumaraan sa buhay nang hindi nasasaktan o nakakasakit ng kapwa. Bagaman maaaring wala tayong magagawa sa taong nagdulot ng ating sakit, mayroon tayong kayang gawin upang mapagaan ang nagmula sa atin, sinasadya man natin ito o hindi. Kailanman, hindi mali at lubos na huli ang humingi ng tawad kung galing ito sa puso.
Marahil ang paghingi ng tawad ay isang pag-amin ng ating kahinaan, kamalian, o kakulangan. Maaaring nakakailang ito. Subalit kapag ginawa natin, hindi ba nakapagpapagaan ito ng kalooban? Hindi ba ito nakapagpapalaya mula sa mahirap na pagpapanggap na lagi tayong tama, na mas makapangyarihan tayo kaysa sa kung ano ang tunay, na hindi tayo nangangailangan ng tulong sa ating pananaw at pagkilos? Hindi ba nakatutulong ito sa paghilom ng sarili at ng taong nasaktan natin, na marahil parehong naliligaw at nakikipagbuno sa paglalakbay rito sa buhay? Sa katunayan, ang paghingi ng tawad ay pagiging malakas at pagkilala ng ating kabiyayaan at pagiging iniibig.
Nang namatay si Hesus sa krus, batid niyang iniaalay niya ang kanyang buhay para sa mga taong hindi perpekto, mga taong maaaring makasakit sa isa’t isa at mga taong tunay na nanakit sa kanya. Gayunpaman, tinuring pa rin niya tayong nararapat. Kung kaya, hindi mababawasan ng pag-amin natin sa pagkakamali ang ating halaga sa Diyos. Hindi rin tayo dapat maging maliit sa ating paningin dahil dito. Kapag humihingi tayo ng tawad, pinahahalagahan natin ang sakripisyo ni Kristo at binubuksan ang sarili sa mga biyaya ng pagkakasundo at pagkakabuo. Ngayong araw, nawa maglaan tayo ng panahon upang magnilay sa mga maaari nating ihingi ng tawad at sa mga taong kaugnay nito. Hindi nangangahulugang magiging madali o mabilis ito subalit maaari tayong humiling ng tulong sa Panginoon na ang pag-ibig para sa atin ay laging mas malalim, mas malakas at mas malawak kaysa sa ano pa mang pagkakamaling ating nagawa.
#ateneoishome #aihfortydaysoflent #aihday16oflent
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