A Great Work Ahead of Us

“Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” – 1 Cor. 15:58

I was watching the news of Pope John Paul II beatification held at Vatican Square that drew an audience of more than a million of people from all over the world, Filipinos included, to witness the ceremony. 200,000 of them even held a vigil the night before.

Pope John Paul II is indeed blessed, no doubt about that. Blessed with a big heart to love and reach out to millions of faithful that put their trust in this institution.

He was well-loved in return. The euphoria of emotions seen in this occasion explains it, ranging from the usual tears of joy to the pride of personnally known him or physically met him, and who is now exalted and put in the altar amongs the many other so called “saints” in whom one can pray and seek intercession.

The things, objects, places and every bits and pieces that the Pope used, worn, touched, rode in, visited to and everthing else connected to him are now sacred and venerated. Even his blood poured from his dead body is now a relic.

I even saw Filipinos now touching the vehicle once used by the Pope when he visited the Philppines many years back.

I knew there would be a lot more of this eerie feeling in the days to come, or months or years. Much even more when they turns him into sainthood.

I’ve no personal grudge against the good-hearted Pope who visited the Philippines more than once, the very first one of which, am myself was there, not a far distance, when I was then living in the convent among the nuns and priests.

But my heart is grieved now for millions of people who were innocently swayed with this faith which I knew so well that God is not pleased.

I’m very much concern of what would happen to the world that despises the Truth of God. I’m afraid of what would occur to the Philippines when His righteous judgement come.

The Bible speaks a lot on how God abhors this act of man.

Hear this and contemplate what He says – “I am the LORD thy God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:2-6)

What are we doing then people of God? Have we step out? Have we go our way to share the Gospel to thousands and thousands of souls perishing daily?

The time is coming. The end is near. The signs are everywhere of the last days.

Get out of your comfort zone – teach, preach, share the Word of God in every nooks and highways, in the fields and the deserts, in every heart of man.

A great and hard work is ahead of us. Each is called to be a “fishers of man”. Each is commissioned to go out and teach and preach the Gospel in every way we can. Live in such a way that our words and deeds are Gospel for them to hear and read.

Yes, there is a great work ahead of us. Now is the time to move and act. Remember this, we have to give an account of ourselves before God for every little thing we did while still here on earth.

“Be steadfast, therefore, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that our labor is not vain in the Lord.” – 1 Cor. 15:58

Isang Pagbubulay-bulay
by Max Bringula Chavez