Lenten Reflection: Words May Get In The Way
15 Mar 2024
They say that sometimes, words get in theway. Even as speaking or writing may be our default way of communicating andexpressing ourself, words can, indeed, be an encumbrance because they may beconfusing at times, they cannot fully capture what we want to convey or therereally are just moments that go beyond such a way of articulation. When we’resoaked in tears, overcome with laughter, frozen in awe, no amount of wordsmay suffice.
Perhaps more so when in the face of true love. While vows we hear at weddings, eulogies we make and greetings we share are useful and meaningful, nothing can ever totally depict the reality, the gifts, the depth and the beauty of true love. Its essence can only be totally portrayed and beheld in the life lived, the sacrifices given, the kindness shown, the feelings evoked, the paths chosen, the impact made.
So it is with Jesus – no bible verse, nohomily, no spiritual song can completely tell us about this man. For He was allabout true love for us. And we can only allow ourself moments of silence, deep looking into our heart and our life, and a humble openness so that we maybe soaked in tears for what He has done, be overcome with laughter because ofthe joy His salvation brought, and be frozen in awe of His never-endingprovidence. These days of Lent, take pause. And if it helps, maybe use thesequestions to start a time of being moved into a lack of words: How have youwitnessed and experienced true love? What good things have you been given, evenwhen you didn’t ask or didn’t deserve it? Where do you find God’s graces andcreation that fill you with awe?
May mga nagsasabing minsan, nakahahadlang ang mga salita. Bagaman pagbigkas at pagsusulat ang madalas nating paraan ng pagbabahagi ng sarili, tunay ngang may mga pagkakataong balakid ang mga salita sapagkat maaari itong makapagdulot ng kalituhan, minsan hindi ito sapat o may mga pagkakataong lampas sa ganitong paraan ng pagsasalarawan. Kapag umaagos ang luha, malalim ang tuwa, at lubos ang pagkamangha, walang salitang tutugma.
Marahil higit itong kakulangan ng salita sa harap ng tunay na pag-ibig. Samantalang makabuluhan at nakatutulong ang mga panunumpang naririnig natin sa mga kasal, ang mga eulogy para sa mga yumao at ang mga pagbating sinasambit, walang ganap na makapagbubuod sa realidad, mga biyaya, lalim at kariktan ng tunay na pag-ibig. Ang kabuuan at diwa nito ay masasalamin at mahahagkan lamang sa buhay na pinatotohanan, mga sakripisyong ipinagkaloob, kabutihang ipinamalas, mga damdaming napukaw, mga landas na pinili, at dulot na ibinunga.
Ganoon din kay Hesus – walang berso sabibliya, homiliya, o espiritwal na awit ang lubos na makapagsasalita ukol saKanya. Sapagkat Siya ay tungkol sa tunay na pag-ibig sa atin. At maaari lamangnating tulutan ang sarili ng mga pagkakataon ng pananahimik, ng matiim napagtingin sa ating puso at buhay, at ng mababang-loob na kabukasan upang umagosang ating luha dahil sa Kanyang ginawa, upang lumalim ang ating tuwa sakaligtasang Kanyang handog, at upang lubos tayong mamangha sa walang-hanggan Niyangpagkakaloob. Ngayong mga araw ng Kuwaresma, huminto. At kung makatutulong,maaaring gamitin itong mga tanong upang mabunsod sa isang panahong magkukulangang mga salita: Paano mo nasilayan at naranasan ang tunay na pag-ibig? Anongmga mabuting bagay ang natanggap mo, kahit pa hindi ito hiningi o hindi kakarapat-dapat? Saan mo nasusumpungan ang mga biyaya at likha ng Diyos na nagdudulot ng pagkamangha?
#aihlentenreflections #ateneoishome
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