The incorrupt heart of once a sinner

Wednesday of week 6 in Ordinary Time

Mark 8:22-26 

The readings reflect a state of restoration from corruption to newness of life.  After the destruction of the world through the flood, the Lord God restored his creation and blessed Noah and his family to start life anew.

In the gospel, Jesus restored the sight of the blind man.  Though not immediately, eventually the man recovered his sight and gave glory to God.

Today, in the Diocese of Pasig, we are privileged to be visited by the incorrupt heart relic of St. Camillus, patron of the sick and of nurses.  His life too is a testimony of a movement to corruptibility to incorruptibility.

Camillus was a compulsive gambler and mercenary.  Following his father, his compulsion for gambling and materialism reached its peak that he was left in the streets to wander aimlessly.  Had it not been for a kind nobleman who offered him a job, his life would end up in the gutters.

But God had other plans for this compulsive gambler.  The conversion of his father before his death would leave a significant effect on the development of his faith. 

He was also impinged with a wound that he got in a battle; this incurable wound on his leg and his exposure to a hospital setting further opened a world that would reveal God's plan for Camillus.

With his friends volunteering to care for the sick and his becoming a priest, Camillus founded a congregation to bring comfort to them, especially those who couldn't afford ample hospital care.

He might have a wound that wouldn't heal, but he healed others' wounds.  He might have lived a life of corruption, but now, his heart that loved endlessly is incorrupt.  St. Camillus is a shining example of life restored by God to its fullness.  So be consoled!  Our lives will be used by God for his purpose.  We just need to be faithful.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso

Sinambit na ni Kristo ang ikalawang huling salita, "Ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso." Sinabi niya ito sa rurok ng kanyang paghihirap, sa panahong pati ang salaring nasa kanyang kaliwa'y tinutuya siya, "iligtas mo ang iyong sarili pati na kami." Sa krus, nakita pa rin ni Hesus ang dalisay na puso ng kanyang kapwa, "Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa iyong sinabi.  tayo ay nagkasala, ngunit wala siyang kasalanan." Handa na yung isang salarin na siya maparusahan.  Ang tanging kanyang nasambit na lamang ay, "Panginoon, alalahanin mo na lamang ako sa iyong kaharian." May dalawang uri ng pagtugon sa Panginoon.  Yung isa'y nanunuya, nang-iinsulto, sakim, makasarili, namimilit na siya'y iligtas at pagaanin ang buhay, Kahit ang iba'y naghihirap, siya'y hindi. Yaong isa nama'y humigingi ng tawad, mapagkumbaba.  Doon sasabihin ni Hesus, "Ngayon, isasama kita sa paraiso." Yaong isa, naniniwala sa paraisong nilikha ng Diyos noo
Read more

Beatitudes

Search "beatitudes" in the internet and you'll find this definition: a state of supreme happiness. I don't think that there is an event in our lives when we felt "supreme" or "utmost" happiness.  But Jesus tagged beatitudes to the meek and humble, the poor, sorrowing, and persecuted, and not to those who grew rich by luck or hard work, or to the powerful and influential. I think there is more more than outcasting the rich and the powerful and exulting the poor.  After all, who is the really rich and powerful in this world except those who are blessed in the sight of God. The beatitudes teach us a valuable lesson on choosing the real wealth, peace, and happiness.  For even in sorrowing, the Christian is consoled; even in pain the Christian feels peace.  Even in death, the Christian has life. Only God in Christ could give the Christian real and everlasting happiness.
Read more