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Surabaya
Corner
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 A
PLUS, NOT A MINUS
- By Ramon
Martillano
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One thing I cherish most when spending Christmas vacation
in the
Philippines
is the chance to hear very meaningful homilies. One of these
is about the cross. There is a story about three friends who
were carrying their crosses as they traveled. Because of the
weight, one of them kept on cutting his cross until it became
very short. Then they reached a ravine and the only way to
reach the other side is by using the cross as a “bridge.”
Because one of them had been cutting (minus) his cross, it
became so short that it could not reach the other side.
The same thing is true for some of us. We always complain
about the “cross” we carry each day. If we have the choice, we
would rather have a light cross to carry instead of a heavy
one. We do not want to be burdened with extra loads because of
others. We do not want to part with our treasured possessions.
It could be time, money, comforts, etc. This happens at home,
in the office and in school. It could be a neighbor who always
borrows money (and never pays back!) An officemate who always
asks for help because he could not understand his work. If you
are a student, a classmate who always asks for a share of your
sandwich because he could not afford one. Or your teacher who
gives “surprise, right minus wrong quizzes” and gives low
grades. On the road, a driver who suddenly swerves and cuts
into your lane. Or your maid who washes your clothes in one
basin together with your dirty rags! A driver who asks for a
cash advance almost everyday. And your boss, who always
screams at the slightest mistake or worst, a boss who “shoots
first, then asks questions later.” After listening to your
explanations, he realizes that you were not wrong after all.
Or your husband (or wife) who snores very loudly and you wake
up with baggy eyes the following morning because you were not
able to sleep well. And last but not the least, your wife
(sorry, ladies) who goes shopping/mall hopping looking for big
discounts and keeps her extension gold card busy all day
long. Actually, there are many more situations wherein our
patience is often tested. The other side of the coin as one
brother shared is we should look at ourselves on the mirror
and ask, “Am I a burden/cross to others?”
Are these situations familiar to you? What has been your
reaction? The key word here is “patience.” If we are patient
enough and are able to hurdle these “small crosses” in our
life, these daily crosses become our plus in the eyes of our
Lord Jesus Christ. So in reality, we have to thank the Lord
for these crosses! Amen!
One last story. A little girl reached the
high point
in school when she was being initiated into the wonders of
arithmetic. Minus signs, plus signs and division signs made a
deep impression on her. One day in Church, she looked
intently at a gold Cross on the altar. She whispered to her
father, “What is the plus sign doing on the altar?” In one
way, she had her sign confused. But in a far deeper sense,
she was absolutely right! The Cross is a plus sign.
The redemption pictured by the Cross has put a big plus sign
into life.
Yes indeed! The Cross is a plus not a minus. Let’s pray
that the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself is full of patience
and mercy will grant us a more positive (plus) attitude and
lots of patience as we deal with our daily crosses. Amen.
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TELL US
LIKE IT IS!
- Has
something wonderful and unique happened in your life lately? Did
God answer your prayer in a very unexpected way? Did you, like
Isaiah, meet God’s whisper?
- Have
you felt His powerful hand working in your life recently?
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Everyday, people are experiencing God’s mighty Word in their
lives and it is a pity that very few know about it. Do you have
a story to tell? Some Good News to share?
- E-mail
us (genesis@catholic.org)
or fax us (021-6627384), and tell us about it. That’s right! You
don’t have to be a great writer to do this. We can help you
write it – just tell us like it is!
- Don’t
forget to write the subject: “Let Me Tell You A Story”
For comments, suggestions
or ideas:
Write us: Jl. Bacang No. 20
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Call us: (6221) 720-3824
Fax us: (6221) 662-7384
Genesis
Catholic Community
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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The Father Speaks
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Our Faith
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Place of Refuge
By Philip Yuson
Surabaya Corner
By Ramon Martillano
Community Life
By Pinky Torres
God Answers Prayers
By Beth Manibog
Reflection
By Fr. Agustinus Belo,
PR
Straight from the Heart
By Carolle Bautista
Compiled by Armand Sol
On Focus
By Sansu Garin
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