The WORD in Other Words by Fr Bernhard Abrazado SVD (Philippines)
Friday 18th Week in Ordinary Time
Dt 4:32-40, Mt 16:24-28
In a typical Filipino household, children as young as six years old are trained for chores like washing the dishes and house cleaning, among others. However, as years pass, parents are becoming more protective of their children, sparing them from these duties.
Sometimes, kids would bargain to receive something in exchange for doing the chores, like a new scooter, a new iPad and even a trip to Disneyland. And parents at times gladly oblige. The Gospel talks about carrying one‘s cross. Children even at an early age can already be taught about sharing, giving up something and expecting nothing in return.
In potluck parties, those invited are requested to bring their own “baon”. Bringing our own “baon” reminds us of our responsibility to share something to eat or drink.
The Gospel today reminds us that to make it to the eternal banquet we have to invest something — we must take up our own cross. We are all exhorted to bring our own “baon,” the cross, the symbol of our suffering but at the same time the ticket to resurrection.
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