Christian Rivera Magtalas
Journal: August 2009
St. Isidore, The Farmer Parish
W A I T I N G …Opening the door to Holiness
When we hear the word wait from another person, we assume that he/she will come or will see us soon. When we are going to other places, we wait for transportation by the road side, because we believe that cars will be passing by there. When we get sick, it is but natural for us to hope that soon we will get well. When we love somebody, we wait that he/she will love us too. I think the disposition of waiting is one of the human acts that will always be used in our daily activities.
I firmly believe that ‘waiting’ is not only an ordinary action or response to a particular situation but it may have also have a spiritual significance because it has a deeper meaning and value in our lives as Christians and as persons. Waiting teaches us to be loyal to somebody. It gives us a patient mind and heart. It shows charity and concern. It inspires us to hope for something, and most especially it serves as an avenue to enter into reflection and discernment.
In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10:46-52) we could see the story of the blind man named Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus also waited on the roadside with the hope to be cured by Jesus. He waited patiently and courageously that his savior will come.[1] This story is also the story of many people though in different contexts. I am experiencing also this story now. I have to patiently wait for my healing, for answers to many of my questions, and for the fulfillment of my dreams and desires. In my first two weeks this year after my graduation, I have been in different situations with various challenges and problems. In facing those situations, I learned two things. The first is silence; to be calm and aware of the inner movements of my soul. The second is listening; to hear the voice of my soul and God’s invitation for me. True silence and listening though, could not be fully being achieved without the choice to wait. My usual experience in prayer is that God sometimes is playing a hide and seek with me. Oftentimes, I am challenged by the temptation to give up, but through constant discernment of the heart, I am enlightened that in waiting, God has a message. It is wisdom to know that waiting is a grace. God also relates and communicates through a patient and courageous heart that waits. He manifests His abundant grace in times that the soul struggles as it waits for His presence. The grace of waiting is part of the road that people will take. God also personally waits on the same road.
[1] Mark 10:46-52. The Blind Bartimaeus.
Journal: August 2009
St. Isidore, The Farmer Parish
W A I T I N G …Opening the door to Holiness
When we hear the word wait from another person, we assume that he/she will come or will see us soon. When we are going to other places, we wait for transportation by the road side, because we believe that cars will be passing by there. When we get sick, it is but natural for us to hope that soon we will get well. When we love somebody, we wait that he/she will love us too. I think the disposition of waiting is one of the human acts that will always be used in our daily activities.
I firmly believe that ‘waiting’ is not only an ordinary action or response to a particular situation but it may have also have a spiritual significance because it has a deeper meaning and value in our lives as Christians and as persons. Waiting teaches us to be loyal to somebody. It gives us a patient mind and heart. It shows charity and concern. It inspires us to hope for something, and most especially it serves as an avenue to enter into reflection and discernment.
In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10:46-52) we could see the story of the blind man named Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus also waited on the roadside with the hope to be cured by Jesus. He waited patiently and courageously that his savior will come.[1] This story is also the story of many people though in different contexts. I am experiencing also this story now. I have to patiently wait for my healing, for answers to many of my questions, and for the fulfillment of my dreams and desires. In my first two weeks this year after my graduation, I have been in different situations with various challenges and problems. In facing those situations, I learned two things. The first is silence; to be calm and aware of the inner movements of my soul. The second is listening; to hear the voice of my soul and God’s invitation for me. True silence and listening though, could not be fully being achieved without the choice to wait. My usual experience in prayer is that God sometimes is playing a hide and seek with me. Oftentimes, I am challenged by the temptation to give up, but through constant discernment of the heart, I am enlightened that in waiting, God has a message. It is wisdom to know that waiting is a grace. God also relates and communicates through a patient and courageous heart that waits. He manifests His abundant grace in times that the soul struggles as it waits for His presence. The grace of waiting is part of the road that people will take. God also personally waits on the same road.
[1] Mark 10:46-52. The Blind Bartimaeus.
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