IT TAKES COURAGE TO KNOW YOUR PURPOSE - Homily by Fr. Danichi Hui on Aug. 16, 2024

IT TAKES COURAGE TO KNOW YOUR PURPOSE - Homily by Fr. Danichi Hui August 16, 2024 | Friday Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time��Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63�Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6�Matthew 19:3-12 Biblical: Today we commemorate St. Roch, a healer. St. Roch played a significant role during the period of the Black Plaque, or Black Death. It was a pandemic when a certain infectious fever caused by a bacteria spread across Europe. St. Roch found his purpose by caring for the sick both in private homes and in hospitals, even if his own health was at risk. He cured many people simply by making the sign of the cross over them. He continued his charitable work until the disease was halted (stopped) from spreading further. His miraculous healing power evidenced itself in the same manner in every plague-infested town that he passed through on his way to Rome. (Ang kanyang mahimalang kapangyarihan sa pagpapagaling ay nagpatunay sa kanyang sarili sa parehong paraan sa bawat bayang puno ng salot na nadaanan niya habang patungo sa Roma.) Reflection: The story of St. Roch is familiar to us, for we had just experienced a pandemic. If we could remember, many of us somehow lost our purpose. We were prevented to do what we want because we cannot go out. Some lost their jobs. Others were not able to pursue their plans of getting married, study abroad, take the Board Exams and other opportunities. Pero kung marami są atin ang nawalan ng “purpose” o hindi makita ang kanilang “purpose” nang dahil a pandemic. May ilan naman sa atin natagpuan nila ang kanilang “purpose”, nang dahil sa lakas ng loob o courage. Marami ang nawalan ng trabaho pero may ilan naglakas ng loob mag negosyo at ngayon umasenso. May ilan hindi natuloy ang mga plano, pero hindi naging hadlang para tumigil ang kanilag mundo. Ngayon, naipagpatuloy na nila ang kanilang mga plano. Ang ating mga health workers na dati hindi napapansin, dahil sa kanilang lakas ng loob nasturing silang mga bayani. Lahat İto ay dahil sa kanilang lakas ng loob. Sometimes, it only takes courage to know your purpose in life. Like St. Roch, he may not have a background in healing like a doctor. But his courage in caring for the sick brought him to find his purpose. Doon niya nakita na may kakayanan pala siyang magpagaling ng may sakit. Kaya pala niyang mangalaga ng may sakit. Lahat ito ay dahil siya ay naglakas loob. Siguro kung natakot si San Roque sa sakit na kumakalat, hindi niya matatagpuan ang kaniyang purpose. Hindi niya malalaman ang kanyang kakayanan. Gaya ng lahat ng mga tao na naglakas loob noong pandemic, kund hindi dahil sa kanilang lakas ng loob malamang hindi sila nagtagumpay, hindi nila nalaman ang kanilang kakalanan o hindi nila nakita ang kanilang purpose sa buhay. My dear brothers and sisters, it takes a risk to know what you do not know. Likewise, it takes courage to know your purpose.