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Surabaya
Corner
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 GOD'S
LANE
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By Ramon
Martillano
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Go in
through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the
road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it.
But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is
hard, and there are few people who find it.” - Matthew 7:13-14
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Last
December 27, 2002, several brothers and sisters from the Genesis
Jakarta and Surabaya visited the poor and abandoned Lolos and
Lolas (grandfathers & grandmothers) staying at the ANAWIM Center
located in Montalban, San Isidro, Rizal which is about 2-3 hours
drive from our house in Las Pinas (Metro Manila), depending on the
traffic condition.
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Because it
was after Christmas, traffic was comparatively light that day.
Manila’s
bus and jeepney drivers are famous for being aggressive drivers.
As our car traversed the long EDSA Highway from Pasay City to
Quezon City, I really had to focus my eyes 100% on the road and
stay in my lane because of unexpected swerving cars and buses,
both on my left and right sides. One mistake, i.e., getting out of
my lane or not focusing 100% on the road, could be fatal for me
and my passengers – my wife and three kids. So I really had to
drive carefully and attentively for us to reach our destination
safely.
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In the same
manner, as we traverse the road to Holiness, we need to stay 100%
focus on Jesus. Stay in only one lane, God’s lane, so that we can
reach our heavenly destination safely. One mistake, one sin could
be fatal that could lead us swerving and swirling to hell!
However, in reality this is easier said than done because a few of
us would now and again swerve and get out of God’s lane. And we
justify this by saying, “Forgive me Lord, sapagkat ako ay tao
lamang (because I am only human)! Fully aware of this reality, as
we struggle each day to remain on track, it is quite important
that after losing focus we immediately go back to God’s lane.
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During the
start of the year, we normally come up with several New Year’s
resolutions. I suggest that we think of just 1 or 2 aspects of our
lives that could keep us out of God’s lane. Think of any sin or
wrongdoing. Then acknowledge our sinfulness by confessing to a
priest, asking forgiveness from our merciful and loving God, and
then seriously resolve not to sin again.
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Last
December, I confessed to a priest in the
Philippines.
For one particular habitual sin, he encouraged me to have that
“conviction” to change, not only in words but more so in deeds.
And until now that word “conviction” keeps ringing in my ears
especially when I am exposed to a situation to commit such
habitual sin. And I must confess that it is quite hard to get rid
of this habitual sin (nothing serious though), but with an earnest
desire and conviction to change and more importantly through the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am confident that I will be
freed from this sin.
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- I pray
that you too, dear readers, will heed this priest’s call for
conviction to change. Let us all resolve never to swerve again but
instead always remain in God’s lane. 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
- All
Rights Reserved 2003
No
part of this website may be copied, reproduced or modified without
the permission from the webmaster.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
HIS Servant
by Bro. Pete Lapid
The Father Speaks
By Fr. S. Binzler, SJ
Our Faith
By Fr. KJ Veeger, MSC
Place of Refuge
By Philip Yuson
Surabaya Corner
By Ramon Martillano
Community Life
By Armand Sol
Sharing
By Princess Martillano
Straight from the Heart
By Carolle Bautista
God Answers Prayers
By Beth Manibog
On Focus
By Sansu Garin
Saint for the Month
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