Lenten Reflection: Ssshhhh…
18 Mar 2025 | Office for Mission and Identity (OMI)
We might have all experienced being hushed. In school, especially when we were kids, teachers would sometimes say, ‘Quiet, class’. When we would begin to talk and reveal secrets, a friend might have given us a look to tell us to shut up, sometimes with a discreet pinch on our side. And in a movie house, church or public transport, we can feel the meaningful stares and disapproving eyes of others when we are too loud. To be commanded to lower our voice or stop talking can be embarrassing or awkward.
The experience of being shushed can feel limiting. In certain circumstances, such or similar restrictions can be intrusive and difficult for they may overpower our sense of freedom, dictate rather than invite action, lack respect for how we can make our own choices. Perhaps that’s why there are those who are of the opinion that if we forget or feel uncomfortable with the ten commandments that seem to tell us what not to do, we must just remember the two principles underlying them that clarify what we are invited to live out: love God above all, and love others as you love yourself.
Love, while possibly embarrassing or awkward, is never limiting, dictatorial and disrespectful. In fact, that is what Jesus showed us when He freed us from our sins and when He never imposed Himself upon us despite His sacrifice. And this is what He does every time He lets us choose the path to take even if it may be against His desire or our good. God has never shushed us and will never curtail our freedoms. If we look at the cross intently, we will see that there’s nothing less than love there – love that frees, gives life and brings fulfilment. So how have you allowed yourself to be liberated, to be lifted and to be enlivened by that love?
Malamang nakaranas na tayong lahat na masaway. Sa paaralan, lalo na noong mga bata pa tayo, marahil sinabihan tayo ng guro na ‘Tumahimik kayo’. Kapag nagsisimula tayong magbulgar at manglaglag ng mga sikreto, maaaring pinandilatan tayo ng isang kaibigan upang pigilan tayo, na minsan may kasama pang kurot sa ating tagiliran. At sa sinehan, simbahan o pampublikong sasakyan, mararamdaman natin ang makahulugang tingin at pang-iirap ng mga nasa paligid natin kapag masyado tayong maingay. Ang mautusang hinaan ang boses o tigilan ang pagsasalita ay maaaring nakakahiya o nakaka-alangang karanasan.
Marahil makapagpadama ng pagkasiil ang mapatahimik. At sa ilang pagkakataon, ang ganitong mga pagbabawal ay maaaring maging mapanghimasok at mahirap sapagkat nagagapi ang diwa ng ating kalayaan, nagdidikta at hindi nag-aanyaya ng gawa, nagkukulang sa paggalang para sa ating kakayahang magpasya. Maaaring ito ang dahilan kung bakit may mga nagsasabing kung makalimutan man natin o hindi man tayo mapalagay sa sampung utos na tila nagsasaad ng mga bawal, dapat na lamang nating alalahanin ang dalawang alituntuning kanilang sinasalamin na nag-aanyaya ng pagsasabuhay: mahalin ang Diyos nang higit sa lahat, at mahalin ang kapwa gaya ng pagmamahal sa sarili.
Bagaman maaaring nakakahiya o nakaka-alangan din ang pagmamahal, hindi ito kailanman mapaniil, nagdidikta at walang paggalang. Katunayan, ito ang ipinakita ni Hesus nang pinalaya Niya tayo mula sa pagkakasala at nang hindi Niya pinilit ang sarili sa atin sa kabila ng Kanyang pagdurusa. At ito rin ang patuloy Niyang ginagawa sa tuwing hinahayaan Niya tayong pumili ng ating sariling landas kahit pa iba ito sa Kanyang nais o sa kung anong makabubuti para sa atin. Hindi tayo kailanman sinaway ng Diyos at hindi Niya kailanman susupilin ang ating kalayaan. Kung matiim nating sisilayan ang krus, makikita nating wala itong ibang isinusulong bukod sa di-matatawarang pag-ibig – pag-ibig na nagpapalaya, nagbibigay-sigla at nagdudulot ng katuparan. Ikaw, paano mo hinahayaan ang sarili na mapalaya, maiangat at mabigyang-buhay niyong pag-ibig?
#ateneoishome #aihlentenreflections
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