Lenten Reflection: Dependent
18 Mar 2024
Anyone who has ever experienced holding an innocent baby in their arms, being greeted by pets or animals waiting to be fed, feeling the stares of family or friends or colleagues at work while making a decision that concerns them would know that having others depend on you is a unique situation to be in. It can be both a blessing and a curse, an opportunity or a threat, a cause for smiling or crying. To be depended on is a huge responsibility, especially if it concerns how our action, or inaction, can affect real lives and futures.
If we think about it, while there can be asense of satisfaction or pride in holding a position that has a hand in whathappens, fatigue and frustration may also come with it. Ahead of how we addressthe situation, what needs to be done can take so much space in our mind andheart. On hindsight, the questions if everything was pursued to the best ofone’s ability and how the outcome could have been better can be haunting. Butas persons, we cannot avoid having an other or a situation rely on us. Andsince the reality is that there are those that depend on what we say, what wethink and what we do, who can we then turn to and depend on?
For all the decisions we hold that can make or break, the uncertainties that we do not have power over, the limitations we have that can make things more challenging, there are paths converging, miracles happening and graces overflowing because we have a Parent we can depend on. If we’re tired from responsibilities, overwhelmed with what we’re accountable for, uncertain as to how to proceed, we can rely on a strength and sight greater than ours. In fact, looking to and leaning on the One who loves us need not just be an option, it can be a non-negotiable even as we still offer our best effort. And so: What are you depending on God for? How do you allow yourself to be saved by Christ? In which instances have you experienced His divine hand guiding you and helping you?
Sinumang nagkanlong na sa isang inosentengsanggol, inabangan ng mga alagang hayop na naghihintay mapakain, nakaramdam ngtitig ng mga kapamilya o kaibigan o kasamahan sa trabaho samantalang gumagawang isang pasya na maaaring makaapekto sa kanila ay nakababatid na kakaibangkalagayan ang may umaasa sa iyo. Maaari itong maging isang biyaya o sumpa,pagkakataon o pagbabanta, dahilan upang ngumiti o lumuha. Isang malakingresponsibilidad ang maasahan, higit kung ang ating pagkilos o hindi pagkilos aymay tunay na dulot sa mga buhay at kinabukasan.
Kung iisipin, bagaman maaaring may kakabit na pagkatuwa o pagyayabang ang magkaroon ng ambag sa maaaring mangyari, nakakapagod at mabigat din ito. Bago ang pagtugon sa kalagayang naghihintay, pumupuno sa ating isip at puso kung ano ba ang nararapat gawin. Sa pagbabalik-tanaw, nakababagabag din ang tanong kung naisagawa ba ang pinakamabuti at kung maaari pa bang naging mas mainam ang resulta. Subalit bilang mga tao, hindi natin maiiwasan na may iba o may sitwasyong nakasalalay sa atin. At kung realidad na may mga umaasa sa ating mga sinasabi, iniisip at kinikilos, kanino naman tayo maaaring bumaling at umasa?
Sa lahat ng ating pagpapasya na maaaringmakahubog o makawasak, sa mga kawalang-katiyakan na di natin hawak, sa mgakahinaang naggagawad ng higit pang hamon, may mga landas na nagtatagpo, mgahimalang nagaganap at mga biyayang nag-uumapaw sapagkat mayroon tayong Magulangna maaaring asahan. Kung hapo na tayo sa mga responsibilidad, nalulula sa mgapananagutan, at di tiyak kung paano uusad, maaari tayong sumandig sa lakas atpananaw na mas dakila sa ating taglay. Katunayan, ang pagbaling at pagsandig saKanya na umiibig sa atin ay hindi isa sa mga pagpipilian, maaari itongnatatanging paraan samantalang ipinagkakaloob pa rin natin ang pinakamahusaynating gawa. Kung kaya: Ano ang mga iniaasa mo sa Diyos? Paano mo tinutulutansi Kristo na iligtas ka? Sa aling mga pagkakataon mo naranasan ang Kanyangbanal na kamay na gumagabay at tumutulong sa iyo
#aihlentenreflections #ateneoishome
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