Persevering faith is rewarded
THE story is told about a nun working in a hospital. Inside the operating room, a cynical surgeon would often taunt her and say, “Funny, Sister, but in all our operations, we’ve never found a soul, have we?”
The nun replied simply, “Don’t worry. We’ll find yours before you die. I’m praying for you.”
To which the surgeon had a ready reply, “You’d better save your prayers for someone that’s a possibility. I’m not.”
Anyway, the kind sister continued to pray for him.
*** The doctor left for a holiday, and after a few days the report reached the hospital that he had met a car accident and had died.
The nun went to the chapel and said, “Lord, I’m sure in your great mercy, you gave him the faith.” “But could you let me know for certain?” she added.
God did. After a few hours the word came that after the accident he had been taken to a hospital run by nuns. He himself asked for a priest. He received the Last Sacraments before he died.
*** It was the persevering prayer of the sister that brought about the conversion of the cynical doctor.
In the gospel of this Sunday, Jesus encounters a blind man Bartimaeus who, due to persistence in prayer, was rewarded. (cf. Mk 10,46).
Hearing of Jesus passing by, Bartimaeus shouted, “Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.” The gospel goes on, “Many of the people scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’” *** Our Lord was very much impressed by the man’s persistent faith that he cured him outright. Sometimes I am approached by people who complain, “Father, I always pray but I don’t get what I’m asking for. How come?” We must remember that in prayer God is not at our disposal. We give him the freedom to answer “yes” or “no” or “wait.” As the saying goes: “Man proposes; God disposes.” *** Still the Lord tells us not to give up. In another gospel passage, he narrates about the sleepy friend who responds to the importuning of his neighbor who asks for bread. He gives in not because he is generous but because of the latter’s annoying persistence (Luke 11,8).
* * * Let’s examine our own attitude and emulate the compassion and reaction of Christ towards the blind beggars in our life.
* * * FEAST OF ST. JUDE. Today, Oct. 28, is the feast of St. Jude Thaddeus, known as the Saint of the Impossible or of things almost despaired of.
At the diocesan Shrine of Jesus the Divine Word, Christ the King Seminary compound, QC, I have introduced the devotion to St. Jude every Thursday after the 6 p.m. Mass. There are numerous answered prayers: healing of various sicknesses, including cancer, financial assistance, students passing the board or bar exams, to mention some.
* * * October 28 is PRISON AWARENESS SUNDAY.The annual event serves to focus our attention on inmates who are languishing in jail, paying for their crimes.
* * * As long as one is alive, there’s hope. God never gives up on the worst sinner. Visiting and caring for the prisoners is one of the works of mercy. “I was in prison and you visited me,” Jesus Christ said.
* * * SICK INDIGENTS. There’s a saying: “Give a man a fish and he will live for a day; teach him how to fish and he will live for the rest of his life.” But there are indigent sick who need help because they’re so weak to even hold a fishing stick.
This is the case of some indigent sick, we’re helping.
* * * GOD BLESS — the latest charitable donors: WILLY-LINA ONG, GERRY “MR. FREEZE” SANTOS, GREG-TEK SAUCO, DON GREGGY LICAROS.
Others who may wish to help may e-mail me at: belsvd@gmail.com.
Are your prayers unanswered? Don’t give up. Keep trying.