Royal Terror 18 August 2007

So Jesus said, “Leave her alone..” – John 12:7

I once worked for a top official in Malacañang who may have aspired for Osama bin Laden’s throne as the world’s terrorist par excellence.  Diminutive and wizened, she always ate me for breakfast.

She barked orders like a marine drill sergeant with a bad case of migraine and diarrhea.  She wanted things done – immediately, and all at the same time!  She had red marks all over the letters I wrote, making me feel witless by the time she deigned to sign them.  And she enjoyed cutting me down to size in front of my colleagues who would fidget uneasily while she maligned my pedigree to hell and back.

Yet I kept my cool all those times that she made me jump through hoops.  I never shouted back or called her names or walked out on her.  I couldn’t even hate her.  In truth, I pitied her.  So much.

You see, for all her intelligence, for all her power and for all her money, she couldn’t get the better of me.  Despite the things she did to humiliate me, my officemates continued to show me respect while they avoided her like the plague.

If she knew my secret, she would’ve known all her efforts were futile.  If she had asked, I could’ve told her that she was fighting the Lord, who was fighting for me.  Crazy woman! – Lizza V.

Reflection: For the Lord is my tower, and He gives me the power to tear down the walls of the enemy.  In the difficult hour, He will crush the devourer, and bring the powers of darkness underneath my feet.

Be my shield and my fortress, O Lord, for in You I trust.

Reflection written for the 05 April 2005 Catholic reading (Isa 42:1-7; Jn 12:1-11), published in Didache, a daily devotional published by the Shepherd’s Voice Publications.