“So what I say, I say as the Father told me.” – John 12:50
At the height of the Abu Sayyaf harassments in Mindanao, we were sent to Zamboanga City on an errand. Our orders included refraining from walking around the city without security aides. My colleague and I, believing that we were too nondescript to be noticed, went ahead and explored the place on our own. And on a tricycle, to boot!
We bought flowers in front of the cathedral and window-shopped at the biggest shopping mall in the city. We also hunted for bargains at the local flea-market. Nothing untoward happened so we shrugged off our boss’s “lecture on personal security” when he found out what we did.
However, an hour after our return to the hotel, we heard several loud explosions followed by the incessant shriek of sirens. I paled and my knees turned to water when I learned that the cathedral and the shopping mall have just been bombed. Several bystanders were killed in the blast. Our refusal to heed our boss’s counsel almost cost us our lives!
I wonder if we even listen to Jesus speak to us through the Scriptures or if we look at the Bible as just a bunch of stories made up by highly imaginative men. The Word of God leads to the Tree of Life and if you don’t believe, then do so at your own peril. It may cost you your life! – Lizza V.
Reflection: The Word of God is in the Scriptures. Have you heard what He just told you?
Lord, open my ears that I might hear.
Unedited version of the reflection for the 05 May 2004 (Easter) readings (Acts 12: 24-13:5; Ps 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; Jn 12:44-50) of Kerygma, a widely-circulated Catholic devotional magazine.
