Lenten Reflection: Anything Goes
31 Mar 2025 | Office for Mission and Identity (OMI)
The idea of anything goes can be quite annoying for those who like to be in control and have plans. For example, a trip without a detailed itinerary, a desired outcome with no clear strategy or a relationship that’s not defined can elicit feelings of frustration, panic and fear. It may be human nature to want to possess a roadmap, to have a hand in the way things are run, or even to predict what’s next.
Perhaps that’s why the passion of Christ may be difficult to embrace at times and to let sink into our heart. For who would have known that anything goes with how God loves us? Anything goes such that there are no limits to the means and ways He would pursue to show us how cherished we are. Anything goes because the depths and lengths he would endure to save us are beyond what we can imagine. Anything goes even when it meant death for Him as long as He gave us life.
If we are attached to plans, itineraries and roadmaps, the only thing the Lord is holding on to is His love for us. With Jesus’ suffering, it has been revealed that this love prevails across time, even in the most difficult moments, and over our human frailties. And so perhaps we can ask our self: do I love like that? What bounds do I put when I care for someone? What walls might I be using to limit God from loving me?
Para sa mga mahilig na panghawakan o planuhin ang mga bagay-bagay, nakakainis ang isipin ng kahit ano. Halimbawa, ang isang byaheng walang detalyadong patutunguhan, isang hangaring walang malinaw na estratehiya o isang ugnayang hindi tukoy ay maaaring mag-udyok ng mga damdamin ng pagkabagot, pag-aalala at pangamba. Tila likas sa tao ang maghangad na magkaroon ng isang mapa, maka-impluwensya sa pagpapatakbo ng mga paggalaw, o mahulaan kung ano ang susunod.
Marahil kaya maaaring mahirap yakapin o hayaang tumimo sa ating puso ang pagpapakasakit ni Kristo. Sapagkat sino ba ang makababatid na maaari ang kahit ano pagdating sa kung paano tayo ibigin ng Diyos? Kahit ano kaya’t walang hangganan ang pamamaraan at paghakbang na Kanyang susuungin upang ipakita kung gaano Niya tayong tinatangi. Kahit ano sapagkat hindi natin mahihiraya ang lawak at lalim ng Kanyang titiisin upang iligtas tayo. Kahit ano sa kabila na magdudulot ito ng kamatayan sa Kanya subalit buhay para sa atin.
Kung kumakapit tayo sa mga plano, talaan ng mga patutunguhan at mapa, ang pinanghahahawakan lamang ng Panginoon ay ang Kanyang pag-ibig para sa atin. Sa pagdurusa ni Hesus, ipinamalas na nananaig itong pag-ibig lumipas man ang panahon, kahit sa mapanghamong mga pagkakataon, at sa kabila ng ating mga pantaong kahinaan. Kung kaya maaari nating tanungin ang sarili: ganoon ba ako umibig? Ano ang aking mga hangganan sa pagmamalasakit sa kapwa? Anong mga hadlang ang ginagamit ko upang harangan ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa akin?
#ateneoishome #aihlentenreflections
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