Lenten Reflection: Formulas
16 Feb 2024
We find formulas in many things. In most movies, even when the protagonist suffers much, we can find comfort that in the end, things will turn out well. In simple sentence construction, they guide us to be clear about the subject’s action being directed towards the object of the action. In cooking, formulas in the form of recipes provide the right proportions for ingredients.
When God became man and when God died for man (and woman), there was also a formula there. Perhaps the act and extent of such sacrifice are too much for us to fathom, but it should be no surprise that love would lead the Lord to do everything in His power so we can be free, even if it meant His own death. When one loves, we know everything will turn out well despite the suffering and pain. When one loves, the action is always towards the beloved. When one loves, the right proportion is to always give and offer one’s all.
This Season of Lent is an invitation to follow God’s formula of loving – follow and journey with Jesus as He delivers our deliverance, follow and approximate His love as we navigate relationships, work and life. As such, these may be some suggested points to ponder on: How do you love? Where and to whom can you further exercise your own unique ways of loving? What do you see as God’s formula of showing you His love?
Nakakatagpo tayo ng mga pormula sa maraming bagay. Sa pelikula, kahit pa lubhang magdusa ang bida, mapapanatag tayo na sa huli, magiging maayos anglahat. Sa pagbuo ng payak na pangungusap, nagagabayan tayo na magingmalinaw sa pagtuon ng kilos mula sa gumagawa nito tungo sa tatanggapng kilos. Sa pagluluto, ang mga pormula sa pamamagitan ng resipi aynagbibigay ng tamang sukat ng mga sangkap.
Nang nagkatawang-tao ang Diyos at nang namatay ang Diyos para sa tao, mayroon ding pormula roon. Marahil ang gayong pagpili at ang lalim ng ganoong pagdurusa ay masyadong masidhi para sa ating pang-unawa, subalit hindi dapat nakagugulat na mauudyok ng pag-ibig ang ating Panginoon upang gawin ang sagad ng abot ng makakaya para sa ating kalayaan, kahit pa mangahulugan ito ng Kanyang kamatayan. Kapag nagmamahal, batid nating magiging maayos ang lahat sa kabila ng dusa at sakit. Kapag nagmamahal, ang pagkilos ay laging tuon sa minamahal. Kapag nagmamahal, ang tamang sukat ay lagi at laging ang pagkakaloob ng lahat-lahat.
Itong Panahon ng Kuwaresma ay isang paanyaya na sundan ang pormula ng pag-ibig ng Diyos – sundan at makilakbay kay Hesus sa pagkakaloob Niya ng ating kaligtasan, sundan at iakma ang Kanyang pag-ibig sa pagbaybay natin sa mga ugnayan, gawain at buhay. Kung kaya, ito ang ilan sa mga mungkahing maaaring pagnilayan: Paano ka nagmamahal? Saan at kanino mo maaaring higit pang isakatuparan ang iyong mga natatanging paraan ng pag-ibig? Ano ang nakikita mong pormula ng Diyos na paraan Niya ng pagpaparamdam sa iyo ng Kanyang pagmamahal?
#aihlentenreflections #ateneoishome
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