JOURNAL 2005: Passion of Jesus Christ, Betrayal of Friends

Passion of Jesus, Betrayal of Friends

Tuesday, 7:00 P.M.

“The longest and the most challenging journey of life is the journey within…” – Dag Hammarskjold

Catholics started celebrating the solemn festivity of Holy week last Palm Sunday which will end on Easter Sunday. This is the week the Catholic Churches prepared for after forty days and when people will recommence God’s crucifixion, death and resurrection.

It is right and just for us, to recall ourselves spiritually, reminisce those times we turned our backs at Him, and return to the path that Jesus Christ laid for us.

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What do you feel when somebody has betrayed you? Some say they will get angry to that person and will never forgive him and some say they will just ease the pain inside their heart through crying. Imagine when you give your trust and love to somebody and after he/she betrayed you, it’s like a blade that cut us- the painful sensation makes us cry and be wounded.  

Normally, betrayal only happens between persons with established relationship. It is when we have a direct interaction to that person and usually they are happening among friends, families, and relationship with someone. Betrayal is toughly felt by the person who are offended or betrayed and the offender are typically unaware of his misdeed.

The betrayal of Judas that we can read in Matthew 26:47-50 is one of the most despised act in the bible history. He is the son of Simon Iscariot and become one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is very distinguished for his “Kiss and betrayal” after bargaining Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver coins. His sign of kissing means identifying Jesus who will be arrested by the soldiers. Despite of his grotesque sin, Jesus Christ show his utmost love for him. And Jesus never disrespect or insult Judas even He know he will betray Him. It displays how Jesus love everyone to its fullness. Despite the fact that his apostle did something bad to him, the love and understanding prevail to Him. Also, it is only Jesus who knows everything, who sees all the things we have done. He is the only one who can judge us for who we are.

Peter who denied Jesus Christ three times also shows how he betrayed Him. We can read it in John 13:36-38 and Matthew 26:56-75. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is the forgiveness to His people He bring with Him and not the retribution. He ask Peter three times if he loves Him. Despite Peter denies Him three times, Jesus Christ still loves Peter and gives him a second chance. It only tells us that if Jesus Christ forgive those people who turned their backs at Him, why can’t we do it? Jesus Christ is the perfect example for us to love each other, forgive those people who betrayed us, and stay modest despite of who we are.

The last is the people during those times who shouted for Jesus Christ to be crucified. It is written in John 18:28, 19-26. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”- written in Luke 23:24, Jesus Christ uttered these words during He is on the cross, offering His life for us. It is US who should be there, but he sacrificed His life for the forgiveness of our sins. Even though he is experiencing such an agony during that time, He still think about us, despite He is going to die. His willingness to die for the others shows His immeasurable love for us.

The passion of Christ is actually His love for us despite our Betrayal to Him; He bargain his own life to forgive us of our sins. Jesus Christ speak to us to refrain from doing a sin. He try to call us to stop from doing anything that will hurt Him. On the other hand, if we continue to commit sins, it is a simple way of betraying Him. Nonetheless, His crucifixion is the way of the salvation for His people. The passion of Jesus Christ is His unending love to the mankind, dedicating His life for our sins' forgiveness. He embraced the death and rose again on the third day. This is the moment when Jesus Christ give us second chance to change. And so, this is our opportunity that we should not waste and let go, this is the chance to recollect our past, to retreat from our sins, and follow His plan for us.

I was very thankful to Rev. Father Roño Toledo C.P. for facilitating this meaningful recollection. This gives me a courage to start again a new life. I love Jesus Christ so much that I will do my best to refrain from doing bad things. I will love my neighbours the way I love Jesus Christ. I am so happy that despite my heavy schedule, He always help me to attend this recollection and change myself and start over again. I pray to Him to stay always at my side, guide my family and friends, and thank Him for all the blessings he has given me. I will always treasure those things and do my best to serve Him wholeheartedly. Thanks Papa Jesus, I love you… 

JOURNAL 2004: A CHALLENGE TO ENDURE

Sometimes, letting go is the best way to ease the pain in your heart...

BUT.. what if, letting it go will put you in such sadness because the one you will leave behind is those people dear to you?

Well, that's where I am right now.

For everyone's idea, I am an Altar Server on a church one ride away from my house. From the very start, I was trained there and through all my service, I am assigned to serve there. A year ago, I heard a rumor that the chapel (a few walk away from my house. It's very near compare to the church where I am serving) will become a Parish. I confirmed it, and it was true. Of course, I was really happy about a small chapel will become a Parish after several years. Yet, that happiness accompanies a melancholic possibility that all of the servers who are nearby the church will be transferred there. And I know, I AM ONE OF THEM.

A couple of months ago, we had a meeting and during our quorum, we had commitments on accepting responsibilities as officers. Some of us committed, some of us did not. Me? Yeah. I accepted a job. Two reasons: (1) I thought my situation of being a-possible-transferred-server was settled down that I am going to finish my term (two years) at Phase 1 then I will be transferred down to Phase 8; (2) I like the job of being a secretary. haha.

For the past days, all of those things were swept away. Sorry, most of the things, I mean. All officers were called to attend the meeting in the chapel. So I went there, not expecting that there will be an immediate election of officers. Because of the unstoppable events, I just let myself go with the flow. They needed my immediate response so I had to force my brain to decide to choose. Before those minutes of giving out my decision, I partly expecting that these things would happen. It's kinda hard to weigh both things that are really important to you. It was really hard. In the end, I decided to pick the choice where I can have little damage to ME and to OTHER PARTY involved.

Two days passed by after the night of election, we had our meeting in the Main. I told them that I knew things would happen like this in the end. I didn't just expect that it will be in our way right now. I also added that I didn't know when will be the last day when I will remain as their secretary. Also, I said that one of my natures is when you give a thing to me, I will keep it. BUT when you get it back, I will return it and will never accept it again. That is one of the reasons why I didn't accept the position of secretary in the second election at Phase 8 aside from my hectic schedule. I knew time will come that they will get it from me. And I am ready of it. It's just that, I will never accept it inside my ministry.

Things went light when they told me that I will remain as secretary while they are not yet finding a replacement for me. That time, I was actually prepared if we held a special election for me. I prepared all the documents I made for the ministry. All the minutes, the notes, everything. From the start, I know that they have a hundred percent power to take my position whenever they want because I was only appointed by my president. By the way, (if you read this,) I would like to thank my President and Vice President for giving me this opportunity to become the secretary of our ministry. Haha. Going back, I am ready to accept their decision anytime. :)

In the end, I promise to myself that I will do my best to help my new co-officers at Phase 8- to lift up our ministry from zero, to help each and everyone to start all over again, and to stay where I belong. We promise to our coordinator in Main that we will do our responsibilities and duties with all our heart and mind.

MAYBE this is the challenge that God gave us to think about. Maybe we may be separated from our dearest friends, but we have to be strong to do our commitment to Him. Besides, God will never put us into something that we cannot survive. He always have a better plan for us. FOR ALL OF US. That's why I just trust him for every thing happening to me, including this challenge for me.

I HAVE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT. I HAVE TO CHOOSE WHAT IS IMPORTANT. I HAVE TO TRUST HIM WILL ALL MY HEART....



Your Toddler Friend,
McDen