When everything seems hopeless, where do we find the strength to keep going? As I reflect on the Gospel during these moments of crisis, with the many calamities our country, the Philippines, continues to face, as well as the corruption in our government. I have also witnessed the incredible resilience of my fellow Filipinos. One time, while scrolling through Facebook, I saw a video of a father carrying his daughter to safety during a flood. Despite the danger around them, the father smiled so his daughter wouldn’t feel afraid. That image reminded me of my own father, who once crossed a flooded river ahead of us to make sure it was safe before we followed. In both moments, I saw a reflection of God’s love, a Father who walks ahead of us, ensuring our safety before we face life’s storms. This is what Jesus reminds us in the Gospel, not to be terrified when life tests us or when our faith is challenged. Our Heavenly Father is always with us, walking before us, guiding us through every difficulty. Today, many of our brothers and sisters suffer — their homes destroyed by floods, their livelihoods lost, and their hearts broken by the death of loved ones. In times like these, it is natural to ask, “Lord, where are You?” But we must also ask ourselves, “What have we done to care for the world that God has entrusted to us?” Sometimes, the pain we experience is the result of our own actions towards nature, justice, our responsibilities as citizens and stewards of creation. We cannot simply blame God when disasters strike; rather, we must acknowledge our role and choose to act with care and accountability. Even so, we hold on to hope, because our God is a loving Father, the same God who delivered the Israelites from slavery, led them to the Promised Land, and gave His only Son to save us from sin. How painful it must be for Him to see His children suffering because of the calamities and corrupt government, yet His love never leaves us. As what the famous influencer said let us be resilient but I think it’s time to demand better system.
