God

The Sacrifice

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The greatest suffering one has to endure is the suffering resulting out of betrayals by those whom we deeply love, care for, and respect. How painful had God felt when he sacrificed his only Son to save humanity from sins.

The short summary of the New Testament reminds us the life of Jesus – healed the sick, showed that miracles do happen, showed us the way, the truth and the light. And we crucified Him, in spite of all He did! What is striking (and not emphasized by the Church), is that Jesus was tried, condemned and put to death out of political reasons. Even in Christ’s time, politics and its accomplices, put Him to death.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta describes sacrifice best.

A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, and must empty ourselves. Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your weakness.

Sacrifice, after all, is a self-less act. An act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.

This Lenten post should help remind us of the travails and trials of people. Yes. People matter. Some people are given up as collateral damage for personal or political ambitions. Dignities are trampled upon and values are exchanged for a few pieces of silver. We are reminded centuries later, year in and year out, that His death on the cross should not be one in vain.

Reflect and meditate, were you part of the crowd that chanted “crucify Him”?

Solace

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Where do you go when you need a piece of heaven?

I remember Dr Rosario Carretero, our residency training officer during my training days in pediatrics. Residency training during my time was very different from what you have today. (And that’s a different topic altogether as well). Stressful was an understatement to describe it.

Each day was more difficult to bear. Teaching the younger ones, seeing both charity and private patients, supervising the younger residents, doing our own research papers and yes, doing administrative work for the department. They were taking a toll on patience and perseverance.

One day Dra Carretero took me to a side and talked to me. Where is the burden coming from? Responsibilities are part of life. And anger had no place in a heart that should be filled with gratitude even during the most trying times.

So we sat together at the CD chapel and she told me to learn to unburden myself to someone who would listen. God.

It didn’t take long that my whole chief residency days became a daily conversation with God. I learned that sharing in prayer made the load lighter to carry. And throw the worries to the wind.

It’s been gazillion years since that fateful day where when I found healing and forgiveness and love.

And I share my solace with everyone who’s going through some trying times. In spite of my hectic and frenetic schedules, there’s a place where my solitude finds me in a beautiful place of peace.

A place where I come to terms with God. Where being grateful for all the blessings, small or big, easy or difficult, where time is at a standstill and I can unburden my world…where prayers and offerings is the solace of my soul.