Just Reflecting (#2)… The gospel today is about Jesus walking on water. As Peter doubted if he saw a ghost, he asked if he can do the same - walk on water. This was despite his being re-assured that Courage! Its me! Dont be afraid. He was about to drown until he asked Jesus to save him. The latter said: ‘You have so little faith, why did you doubt?” ---------- In our daily misfortunes, we tend to be so attracted to events showing us incredulous miracles, genuine or faked, - such as the dancing sun, apparitions, St Mary shedding blood, moving head, etc.. We seek for ways to strengthen our faith even if it has become so obvious to many of us that if nothing else works in this world, we hold on to our faith. Even if in most times, that is because we dont have any more choice. Yet, our life is our best miracle and our bonuses are being able to do what we want and need to do despite all of our turbulence. Even despite that all storms must have to pass. So indeed, one who seeks for more merely flounders in an interminable quest. It is now the 10th birthday of our youngest and he asked me for the __nth time why he was always referred to as the miracle baby. He might now deserve an explanation. Six months before he was born on 10 August 2004, i saw his mom being wheeled out from the operating room: Stage 3-B cancer, and worse, 3 months pregnant. In the recovery room, the doctors were explaining to the family why it is of much urgency to do the usual Big C procedures (chemo, radiation). It seemed then a choice between the mom and the boy. The mom, who we thought was asleep, silenced the doctors when in an unshakeable decision, she said in lots of ways: life is terminal for everyone of us, and if I am to be taken whenever, that is not for us to tell - not even by the doctors. In the statistics – even if it gives me the dimmest chance to survive, who can tell if i am the exception. So since my survival in the next couple of months before my baby’s birth is uncertain – I cannot sacrifice my child. That was 10 years ago. As I look at them now - both mom and child - as they prepare Michael’s cake, I can only wonder how many more miracles I am so privileged to witness without needing to walk on water. That storm had long passed yet more can still occur. But in the meantime during our sunny days, we appreciate more the little beauties of creation that come by along our humble lives. Happy birthday Michael Pere.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 03:03:30 +0000