Blessing and Faith
Posted on Monday, 19 January 2015
Blessing
and Faith
By Apolinario Villalobos
This share is for a friend who failed to
position himself along the route of pope Francis or go to the Luneta Park for
the concluding Mass, because he was bedridden.
Emotion triggers the exaggerated expression
of admiration that results to fanaticism. For things material, this may be
excused, but for something spiritual, constraint should be observed.
Uncontrolled fanaticism makes one selfish, as he or she develops a strong
desire to satisfy the felt pent up emotion. It can even result to violence.
This is how stampedes happen.
In expressing one’s spiritual devotion, one
need not be too overzealous as others may view the act as hypocritical. Ever
since spiritual devotion in us has been developed, we were made to believe
sincerely what we do not see, such as God, Jesus, Mary or the saints. We were
made to believe in the power of prayer that can heal somebody, even if the one
who says it is thousands of miles away. We were made to believe that Jesus who
died on the cross is just around. We may not see them but we feel all of these
– through our faith. I call it - power of the heart!
I can’t see, therefore, the reason why some
“faithful” have to fight their way in front of altars during a Mass, or special
spiritual occasions. And, with the visit of the pope, Francis, I cannot
understand why one should practically, be a touch away from him to be blessed.
Blessing is something spiritual that can be received depending on how faithful
the recipient is, as the heart should be open to receive it.
Just to hear the pope’s voice and sincerely
receive in one’s heart his message is already a blessing. In this regard, just
seeing him on TV or hearing him over the radio does not spell any difference as
seeing him pass by, as the same blessing is dispensed. In other words, the
“effect” of the blessing is not determined by the distance between the giver
and the recipient….as it all depends on one’s faith.
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