13/07/2025
MOMENTS by Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
Here and now
Someone once said that before marriage it is the man who talks and the woman who listens, but after marriage it is the wife who talks, and the husband who listens, and that in time they both talk, and the neighbors listen.
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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 10, 25-37), Jesus teaches us in the parable of the Good Samaritan, how to attain eternal life, and that is through concrete service, not through talking. Beyond prayers, beyond profession of faith, what matters most in the end is that we did not hurt, but helped, people along the way.
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It has been said: “They say little who love much.” In fact, those who love much need not say much. They just do it. Praise God for people who just do deeds of love without fanfare, without any personal agenda, without thought of fame or reward. Yes, we still have much to learn about love, and about “true love ways.”
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“Mea culpa.” All of us are guilty of faking blindness or turning a deaf ear to the poor and the needy. And we are very good, too, in rationalizing and justifying our faults, shortcomings, and failures. Today, in humility, let us accept our selfishness and pride, and in humility, make a decision to make reparation and continue on the road of conversion.
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“Who’s job is it? This is a story about four people named “Everybody,” “Somebody,” “Anybody” and “Nobody.” There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody would do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done!” (ctto)
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There are two very important Latin words we can learn: Hinc et nunc (Here and now). These are two very important words that we also need to learn in loving. Forget great tomorrows and big situations. Love is a call, big or small, we respond to, wherever we are, right now.
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The Gospel is all about going the “extra mile” and giving the “extra smile,” a constant challenge to go beyond one’s comfort zone, to reach out, love, and serve others. “If your righteousness does not exceed that of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of God” (Mt. 5, 20).
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A friend shared with me an interesting article about growing in our goodness, particularly, that of growing beyond PITY (“I feel sorry for you”), toward SYMPATHY (“I feel for you”), toward EMPATHY (“I feel with you”), and toward COMPASSION (“I am here to help you”). “Compassion occurs when we take a step away from empathy, and ask ourselves what we can do to support the person who is suffering. In this way, compassion is an intention, versus an emotion.” (hbr.org)
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Christmas is some six months away still, but the time for loving and giving is here and now. Today, find time to look at your excess material luggage and start unloading them. Start with your cabinets bursting with things you don’t even use or need. Write out a check or send a donation to your favorite charity. Visit or call someone and tell them you care, you forgive; or make that confession and be reconciled with God. Yes, be good yourself. Love and be at peace.
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Don’t forget July 16 is the Feast of our Lady of Mt. Carmel. We remember the Carmelite contemplative nuns and our other “hidden” brothers and sisters who spend their whole lives loving God and humanity in a very humble and special way. Yes, they say little who love much.
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One with you in prayer in our SVD retreat in St. Paul Retreat House in Alfonso, Cavite. Looking forward to five days of rest, reflection, and renewal. Please pray for us, as we pray for you, too. Maraming salamat po. One with you in prayer.
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, remind us that love is not so much about our great yesterdays, nor about the big tomorrows, but whatever we can do in the here and now. Amen.
~ Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
