Gospel reflections – 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
27 June 2021
Mark 5: 21-43 “Do not be afraid; have faith…. Talitha koum… arise!”
NEVER MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE
One afternoon while I was having my usual jogging, I found myself saying, “Ever since I arrived here in Malaysia, that means for more than four years now, I have been doing my 5k jogging or a 30-minute in-house exercise during these MCO weeks… twice or thrice a week. But why is my tummy still so big and bulky? Whyyy?” But then I remembered that proverb that says, “God will never allow you to have more than you can handle.”
From then on, every time I see my bulging belly, I say, “Lord, you really trust me big time. Now I know I can handle this.” And that makes me able to stomach my ‘never getting small’ stomach.
Jokes aside, have you also said those words before… “God will never give me more than I can handle.”? Really? Do I sincerely believe that?… That God will never ever allow a situation beyond my strength to happen in my life… a problem so complicated, a consequence so devastating, a burden so heavy, a challenge so huge… that is far bigger than what I can possibly carry, bigger than what I can humanly handle… Really? Do I sincerely believe that?
Today’s Gospel makes me say… with all sincerity, humility, gratitude and faith… “I do believe that. Really!”
You who are a wise teacher, will you give a calculus homework to your kindergarten pupil? You who are a reasonable boss, will you give a target sales quota to your neophyte employee that is triple the quota you gave to your seasoned and awarded model employee?
You who are a loving mommy, will you spoon-feed your baby with more than a mouthful amount of food?
No, no and no!
And surely our all-wise, all-knowing and all-loving God will also never do the same… never ever! That I believe.
Remember this story? A daddy asked his 10-yr old boy, “Hey son, kindly carry that sack of rice and bring it in the kitchen.”
“Sorry, daddy. Obviously, I cannot. I’m too small for that job. Please ask Kuya, my elder brother, instead.” The son respectfully replied.
“But I want it to be you, son. I know you can. Give it a try at least.”
And the son did. He tried a number of times in fact, but no matter how hard he tried he simply could not. “Daddy, I can’t.”
“You can son. Do all that you can to do so.”
And he tried again and again with all his might, but to no avail. The sack of rice never even moved an inch. “Daddy, I can’t. I tried all that I could.”
“Really?” “Yah, I did all that I could.”
“You know son, there is still one thing you haven’t done… You haven’t asked for my help.”
To that, the son simply smiled and said, “Daddy, can you please help me?”
And there they were, big daddy and his little son, together, smilingly, lovingly, carrying that heavy load that now seems heavy no more.
That is exactly what the centurion with a sick and already dead daughter did. That is exactly what the woman with severe hemorrhage did. With big faith, they said, “God, please help me.”
We have a big God, far bigger than all our problems and burdens. Ours is a smart and loving and powerful God. Never stupid, never heartless, never powerless. Never allowing us to face situations beyond us, for he never allows us to face such alone. God can make things good and right, even amidst man’s evils and wrongs. God can and God does. God carries us. God carries our heavy sacks of rice with us. Let’s just do our part. Turn to him. Carry with him. I just can’t help but beam with thanks and praise as I imagine… big daddy God and little tiny me, carrying a heavy load, together, smilingly, lovingly.
One time, a tiny insignificant fly felt so very tall and proud. Why? Simply because at that time it was standing on top of a giraffe.
The next time you face a dark and bleak future, or a burdensome and difficult present, or a depressive and oppressive past, or all of the above… remember… believe… your daddy God who is all-loving, all-knowing and all-powerful is not just carrying your load. Nay, God is carrying you.
The next time you feel Covid and all the pains and problems it brings is getting too heavy and too long… have faith… seek help… PLEAD TO God… PARTNER WITH God… God who is telling you, “Talitha koum… Arise!”
Amidst Covid, against Covid, God is carrying us to that BETTER US after Covid.
Join me in singing, in praying…
There is no problem too big, God cannot solve it. There is no mountain too tall, God cannot move it. There is no storm too dark, God cannot calm it. There is no sorrow too deep, He cannot soothe it.
If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders I know my brother that He will carry you.
What is that big burden you’re carrying now? Have faith… arise!
If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders I know my sister that He IS carrying you.
Fr Ramon Borja, SDB
Commission for Youth
