During my younger years, I used to dream and plan for my future. Together with my siblings, we dreamt of reconstructing our bungalow house into an apartment. I imagined myself working in my dream job, enjoying my desired salary, and traveling abroad for leisure at age 22. I also envisioned myself starting my own family at age 28. However, none of these dreams came into reality. I was initially disappointed. My ambition of having my ideal life seemed to be wasted, and it was frustrating.

Still, God has His way to comfort me during these frustrating moments. I realized that I have been planning my whole life alone, and not even letting God to help me. I almost forgot that I have a friend in Jesus. I met him when I attended my first ever retreat in 2012. It was so consoling to know that I have a friend who is always with me, and we have a theme song: “Kapag nasaktan ka ay ‘wag kang susuko, kahit may takot ka ay huwag kang magtago. Di ka nag-iisa, kasama mo Ako. Tawagin mo lamang di ka mabibigo. Kaibigan kita, Kaibigan tuwina. Sino pa ang tutulong sa’yo kundi ang katulad Ko, Kaibigan mo Ako.”

Jesus, my friend and Lord, assisted me in realigning my plans according to the Father’s will. With His provision and guidance, our family was able to build a home that is strong enough to endure the storms of life. Instead of giving me a high-paying job, He entrusted me with a life-changing mission. Instead of raising my own family, He allowed me to be nurtured in a community where I find myself thriving in faith. With Jesus at my side, I did not really lose anything.

The question of Jesus to His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” is a question that we also need to answer every day. The Gospel reminds me to continue to entrust my life to Jesus, even if it means dying to myself.

By: Sem. Edward R. Miana

Today’s Gospel

Mk 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it.”