CORA Oriel, the publisher of Asian Journal, shared with me an amazing story from New York Times regarding a devastation of recent Hurricane Sandy. This happened in Breezy Point in the New York City borough of Queens. One hundred homes in this wealthy neighborhood that sits near the Atlantic Ocean burned to the ground. One of them is the home of the McNulty family.
Amidst all the debris from flood and fire, stands at the garden of the McNulty home one sole remaining figure: a statue of Mary, the Blessed Mother. This has caught the attention of the media, and many people started to come and visit the place, putting flowers, writing prayers, and lighting candles by the statue. It has become a symbol of faith. The pastor of the Catholic Church in this neighborhood, Msgr. Curran, stated, “It will be a symbol of suffering but also of our rise from the ashes. It will be a symbol of what we’ve been through but also of our resurrection. It will be a reminder that for all the property we lost, God never left.”
On this Solemnity of Christ the King, let us declare our allegiance to God that “never left.” Indeed, we might have been through years of crises and difficulties, but God has not abandoned us. We’re still alive; we’re still eating; we’re still enjoying one other’s presence. Some may have lost their jobs or homes; some may have experienced sickness or death in the family; some may have cut down on comforts or luxuries, but they have survived, and perhaps, have remained strong in faith.
I still think of the Gospel last Thursday during our Thanksgiving Mass, the story of the Ten Lepers. All of them were healed after Jesus told them to go to the priest. One, however, the Samaritan recognized not only the gift of being healed, but also, most importantly, the Giver of this gift. This was what made him different from the nine. He saw something more and so he stopped, separated himself from the group, returned to Jesus and prostrated himself at his feet to thank him.
What sets us apart as Christians from other citizens of this world, particularly during any experience of crisis, tragedy, disaster, sickness and death? It’s that we never abandon our faith in God! It’s that we continually recognize the Author of Life and the Giver of all Gifts! It’s that we unceasingly declare our allegiance to the king of our hearts, our Lord Jesus! It’s that we continue to serve and give despite our limited means and resources.
As we celebrate the Year of Faith and celebrate the coming Advent and Christmas, let’s live our faith with great joy and enthusiasm. Let’s support, inspire, and motivate one another in the practice of our Catholic Christian faith in words and actions, especially in most difficult times!
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Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California and earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. For twenty years, he has been in the parish ministry of large multi-cultural communities. Since 2002, he has been the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. Please email Fr. Rodel at [email protected].
