We have a new
building in Letran. But actually, it is a renovated one. It is the renovated
old gym. It looks modern and beautiful today. However, before the renovation, we
faced a quarter of opposition from some alumni and administrators. They thought
transforming the gym into a building for students is a bad idea, as their old
gym will be gone; the old gym where they had formed a lot of memories. Their
reasons may be valid, but maintaining an old gym proved to be a great burden
for the finances of the Colegio. And so despite some oppositions, we proceeded
in renovating and building a new building on the old gym. We demolished some
walls and windows. We removed old tiles. We removed the old and defective parts
of the gym that it may be suitable to house classrooms. And so soon, we shall
inaugurate a new building in Letran that stands on an old gym. Some of those
who initially opposed the renovation and building construction now show
enthusiasm upon seeing their old gym turn into a modern and beautiful building.
Changes indeed often meet oppositions, but if we are convinced that what
we do is right, we proceed in realizing such change.
After exhorting
people about the demands of Christian discipleship, Jesus said he brings forth
fire, division, and chaos to the world. It is a different message and point of
view from the usual theme we hear in his messages that promise fullness of life
and unity with the Father. Christ desire to bring God's creation back to the
Father necessitates the process of renewal; of recreating creation. To
recreate, renovate and rehabilitate, we are to confront the evil things that
may have caused harm to us. We are to eradicate them. And in that process,
before the renewal, we may encounter painful confrontation with opposing
ideologies and personalities. Such desire to restore all things in God will
certainly meet resistance from those who choose to cling to the sinful ways
they have been used to. As forest fires ushered in the rejuvenation of a forest
as it burns old branches and twigs, so too are our hearts swept by the fire
Jesus brings to us, the fire that purifies us and makes us fertile ground on
which the seeds of Good News may grow. More than destruction, the fire that
Jesus brings to us purifies us and empowered us. It allows us to be on fire,
passionate to preach about God’s message and His desire to be with us.
Not everyone will
welcome that fire from God; the fire that destroys evil and purifies creation.
Such is the case in the life of the prophet Jeremiah. A part of being a prophet
and of announcing the message of God is the risk on one’s life. A prophet
announces inconvenient truth which people may have to hear but not want to. For
that, he may offend them, or worse, he may be misunderstood. Such is the case
of Jeremiah when princes thought he was demoralizing soldiers when he exhorted
them to obey God and save their lives by fleeing from the city which had been
condemned to fall under the Babylonian swords (cf Jer 38:4-6,8-10).
Though we maybe
in danger, as we fulfill our vocation as prophets, the Lord comes to our aid!
He will protect us and save us from anything or anyone that may cause us harm.
Thus, we are to
persevere in running the race that lies before us. So great a cloud of
witnesses surrounds us which serves as our inspiration to finish the race. They
had done so, and so we could too, so long as like them, we fix our eyes on our
goal: Jesus. Jesus is our ultimate model and inspiration to persevere in
pursuing a holy life; our Lord who resisted opposition against Himself even if it
means shedding His blood on the cross. Consider how he endured such
opposition from sinners so that we may not grow weary and lose heart (cf. Heb
12:1-4). With Christ’s example, we are encouraged not to give up as
persecutions, trials, and tests come along our way in our path towards heaven.
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