“SON OF David, have pity on me.” This was the plea of blind Bartimaeus, who gave up his cloak to be able to catch the attention of Jesus. And Fr. Francis Alvarez, S.J., took note of this detail. For the blind beggar, the cloak contains coins and perhaps food that he collected from the people. And also Fr. Karel San Juan, S.J., mentions the need of patient waiting, in humility, begging God’s mercy to ask for healing, and the gift of seeing.
“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” With deep faith, Bartimaeus rushes to Jesus. The past week, I was filled with anxiety over the high cases of Covid-19, those who are sick and those who died.
It was Monday, my husband’s Birthday. Despite the afternoon sunlight, I went to sit on the steps in the garden with Sonah, the last of my 3 fur girls. TP had a new kid, our Quinto, a gift from a dear friend. My anxiety was eating away my confidence, helpless and hopeless. Then came the call for help on delayed arrival of oxygen supply which was ordered from Singapore, stuck for 5 days in Davao.
I prayed to God to help me seek the right person’s help like Bartimaeus, I took my chance and asked Sec. Dominguez to help intervene as this is very urgent, since patients needed oxygen, and hospitals full and ZCMC in full capacity. Yet, we still had patients in need of high flow oxygen. With Bryant Labastida of the DOH One Hospital Command providing pertinent copies of documents. By sunset, I spoke to the official in Davao who agreed to send the oxygen supplies.
God heard our desperate prayer from the bottom of my fearful heart. The issue of high gasoline prices has been an added problem to Zamboanga City. I asked myself what needs to be done. Creating a chat group, Ma’am Apple Go and Myl recommended writing to the Mindanao Development Authority, but it was the Department of Energy that needed to act on this matter. With faith in God, I sought courage to respond to the needs of our people. I realized I had Sec. Al Cusi’s number and sought his intervention. An SOS amidst our pandemic surge. I also communicated with other Secretaries and got the immediate response of Sec. Bautista who is in charge of Region 9. By Friday, Sec. Cusi referred me to a Director who will analyse our problem and call for a dialogue.
With the surge in Zamboanga, the NIATF called a meeting of Governors and Mayors with the Health and Security Officials of all Regions on ramping-up vaccination. It took 4 hours and we ended past 6 p.m. Cabinet Secretaries and Undersecretaries expressed support for the people, including our beloved Zamboanga City.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him: “Go your way, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
What do we want Jesus to do for us? In a world
afflicted with this pandemic that has caused infections and lockdowns, loss of
jobs, loss of lives, we pray for healing. May we see with the eyes of Jesus. As
pointed by Fr. Louis Catalan S.J., may we see with Discreta caritas- discerning
love. As taught by Tiffany To in our Camino Nuevo CLC PRAYER MEETING. What
would lead us to greater love? Let our love for God direct us to respond as he
did. God taught me to take courage in my difficulty, to get up and follow His
call! Like Bartimaeus may we see and follow Jesus with love. (MBC)
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