THE WAY FORWARD IN CHRIST
(Part 15)
November 6,
2008
My dear
brethren in Christ,
The
restoration started last year, and from the crisis in CFC has emerged
God’s remnant, true to its authentic charism. From last year, to this
year, to next year, the Lord has been guiding us. One major aspect of such
guidance are our themes for the different years. 2007 was the time of
lamentations but also hope brought about by our restoration. 2008 is our
time of joy, as we rebuild and move forward under God’s renewed
anointing. For 2009 we have taken the theme of trust, as we continue to
place ourselves in the hands of the Lord who called us from 1981 and
intends to use us for His purposes until He returns once again.
In
addition, for next year we are looking to the Divine Mercy. Indeed, our
work of evangelization is all about God’s mercy. These times are
increasingly evil and dark, especially in the continued vicious assaults
on marriage, family and life. The enemy is intent on destroying God’s
work and thwarting God’s plan. Many souls are being lost. But God’s
mercy is boundless. In the cross of Christ and in His blood shed for us is
salvation. But this good news needs to be proclaimed. We have been called
to stand up and defend God’s plan. Thus our mission is clear—we are to
evangelize, and we are to renew the family and defend life.
Putting
it together
The
consistency of the Lord’s call, since 1981 and now in the restored
CFC-FFL, is evident in a scripture passage from Sirach.
“You who fear the Lord,
wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall. You who fear the Lord,
trust him, and your reward will not be lost. You who fear the Lord, hope
for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.” (Sir 2:7-9)
Did you
notice all the elements of our themes through these three years? Hope.
Joy. Trust. Mercy. Put another way, mercy is the start, and mercy is the
end. Divine mercy, which translates to God’s love, is the foundation for
our work. In between, as our responses, are what we look to (hope, joy,
trust) as we go about being instruments of God’s divine mercy.
And what is
the common denominator in this passage? It is addressed to “you who fear
the Lord.” What is fear of the Lord?
Fear
of the Lord
First, fear
of the Lord is about His awesome majesty. It is a creature being in awe of
his Creator. The problem in the world today is that man has replaced God
as the center of life. Indeed, man has become god. Man looks to his own
strength and ability, no longer cognizant of the God who is the source of
all good things. Even for some Christians who do good works, Christ has
been displaced from the center. In all these, man has rejected his Maker,
and has rejected the worship due to his God. Man has now worshiped himself
and the work of his hands.
To be in
awe of God, to fear God, is to realize who we are and who God is. We are
weak and sinful, while God is perfect and all-powerful. Our lives and our
well-being are all totally dependent upon Him. And so we need to give Him
the worship that is His due, and we need to turn our lives over to Him.
Second,
fear of the Lord is about obeying Him and living according to His ways.
God has the power of life and death over us. But He gives His people the
choice—life or death, the blessing or the curse (Dt 30:19). There will
be bountiful blessings for obedience, but disastrous curses for
disobedience (Dt 28). As Jesus says, “Be afraid of the one who after
killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of
that one.” (Lk 12:5). Right now, many are endangering their souls by
their disobedience and rebellion.
Fearing and
obeying God is also about what we do for God, according to His calling. We
are His servants, called and privileged to do His very work. But we need
to respond accordingly. Otherwise there will be consequences. “That
servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act
in accord with his will shall be beaten severely” (Lk 12:47).
This is
especially true for us in CFC, and even more so for us now in CFC-FFL. God
has blessed us. God has given us the privilege of becoming His co-workers.
God has entrusted to us (and to other Christians) the task of proclaiming
His salvation to the ends of the earth. God has shown us clearly our
mission. And God has made Himself dependent upon us (and others that He
calls) to accomplish His will with regard to family and life. We need to
be awed at such a privilege! But with the privilege comes the
responsibility. “Much will be required of the person entrusted with
much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with
more.” (Lk 12:48b).
An
awesome task ahead
The forces
of the enemy are focused on destroying marriage, the family and life. We
are called to the ministry of family and life. The battle is joined. The
forces have taken their positions. Are we ready? Do we know what we are in
for?
Jesus warns
some would-be followers. Jesus tells one that he has nowhere to rest his
head (Lk 9:57-58), that one will need to leave the comforts of home and
the conveniences of life. Jesus tells another to leave family behind (Lk
9:59-62), that the first priority should be him and his mission. And of
course, Jesus says to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must
deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Lk 9:23).
Jesus’ mission is so important that we need to give him our all.
Another
Jesus, the son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, also forewarns us.
“My son, when you come to
serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and
steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity. Cling to him, forsake him
not; thus will your future be great. Accept whatever befalls you, in
crushing misfortune be patient; for in fire gold is tested, and worthy
men in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and he will help you; make
straight your ways and hope in him.” (Sir 2:1-6)
The Lord
allowed us to be tested during the crisis in CFC. The Lord allowed us to
suffer adversity, even in the hands of our own brethren. The Lord humbled
us. We have weathered that storm, and have learned the lessons of
Lamentations. We hopefully have been purified, and are more intent on our
way forward in holiness. But our spiritual warfare grows more intense, and
there will be more attacks, oppression, affliction, trials, crosses and
pains. In all these, be not afraid. Trust God. Cling to God. Be holy.
A
final word
We are but
a speck in the whole universe and in the whole course of salvation
history. But God loves us, knows us by name, and has given us the
privilege to serve Him and to make a difference in the life of others. God
is good and faithful. We can put our whole trust and hope in Him.
“Study the generations
long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the Lord and been
disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken? Has
anyone called upon him and been rebuffed? Compassionate and merciful is
the Lord” (Sir 2:10-11a)
The way
forward for us has been revealed. The trumpets have sounded, and the
clarion call is clear. Let us move on, with hope, joy and trust, and be
instruments of God’s divine mercy upon the world.
God bless
you all.
Your
brother in Christ,
Frank
Padilla
