At The End Of The Tunnel, There Will Be Light (Saturday, Week 26, Year 2)

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Life is full of mysteries. Life is replete with unexplainable realities and events. Sometimes, life seems not to be arranged in a fair manner. The wicked does something and gets away with it. And the innocent, even in his innocence, suffers for a crime he knows nothing about. You are serving God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might; yet life has never been fair to you. There was a statement uttered by our retreat moderator during my one-month retreat before final vows and diaconate that sounded very shocking to me. Before he ended his talk, he said, “my brothers, be ready to face more challenges both in your personal life and in your family just because of the commitment you would make to God in no distant time. After your ordination, you will come to realize how unfair life is. But in all those challenges that you will confront, be humble enough to listen to the words of Jesus that ‘THOSE WHO ENDURE TO THE END SHALL BE VICTORIOUS’”.

Initially, Job did not understand that life is too complicated to be analysed mathematically. He did not understand that God is too mysterious to be understood completely. It was later on (when God spoke to him) that he became humble enough to listen and then understand that God knows more than he knows. And this enabled him to endure till the end. In the latter part of his life (cf. Job 42:1-3.5-6.12-17), God abundantly rewarded His fidelity because he was humble enough to listen to God and understand that the end comes with rewards.

The disciples of Jesus who were sent out to evangelize under terrible conditions may have initially considered it unfair to be subjected to dire situations because of the good news. But they were humble enough to listen to Jesus and later on they understood that the end comes with its rewards. They were thrilled with the great achievements they made at the end of their evangelical outreach (cf. Luke 10:17-24). And Jesus pecked up their joy by telling them that they shouldn’t just be rejoicing because the demons were subject to them but they should rejoice more because their names have been written in heaven. Why? Because they were humble enough to listen and then understand. And that is why Jesus gave praise to His Father for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom, not to the worldly wise and the understanding, but to mere infants (that is, to those who are humble enough to listen, trust and obey). 

Wherever you have found yourself in this journey of life, just know that you are just like someone who has found himself in the middle of a dark tunnel filled with water. You may not have the energy to swim back. Just be humble enough as you continue to listen to that voice that calls you to keep on swimming until you reach the end of the tunnel where there will be light and life. Swimming back is an act of cowardice, unbelief and pride. But persistence in moving forward is an act of humility and trust in God who has assured us that in the end, there will be light and life. 

We pray with the Psalmist that the unfolding of God’s word may give us light and understanding, Amen.     


            


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