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Years ago I have read an inspiring story from the book of Fr. Jerry Orbos SVD, “Shared Moments”. It was about a couple who joined a Pilgrimage to Manaoag, Pangasinan. They were carrying a frail and really tiny baby gasping for breath. The doctors had given up on the child and told the couple to take the baby home, but the parents instead decided to join the walk going to Manoaog. Fr. Orbos was touched by the faith of the couple when they asked him to bless the baby.
I can still recall the pain my wife and I had when we brought our first born baby to the hospital when he was still just 2 months old. The doctor diagnosed the case as severe bronco pneumonia. Our baby was gasping for breath. We were both crying while asking the doctor if things will be alright. The doctor said that the case was severe that phlegm is almost covering the lungs of our child. I can’t remember what happened next, we just found ourselves inside a small chapel praying the rosary together, asking God and Mary to help our only son. That very moment, I realized that it is only faith that we are holding on, not good doctors and money can spare the life of our baby.
Faith is the one that gives us strength and courage especially in hopeless moments. It is sad to think that many of us turn into our faith only in moments that we feel we can no longer do anything. At times, we remember that God exists only when our efforts failed out. We became so brilliant, to the point that we already conquered the moon; brilliance that became arrogance. We question the validity of everything even the existence of a God. We thought that all these efforts would bring mankind to glory, only to realize that our doings only made life miserable. We cling to things that just pulled us away from the basic and essentials in life; faith, hope, and love. There is already so much pain and sufferings around us brought by our pride and stubbornness. Our situation calls for a greater change and a greater trust. We need to humble ourselves and turn back to our faith.
After more than a week in the hospital, my wife and I can already smile. My son was allowed by the doctors to go home. A barely two-month-old baby had just recovered from severe pneumonia. We always believe that we owe everything to God, and it only caused us one thing; our FAITH in Him. Faith indeed transcends the line that separates the possible from the impossible. It serves as our light even in the darkest moment of our life.
By the way, going back to the couple in the story of Fr. Jerry Orbos. Since then, they regularly join the walk to Manaoag, but already with their baby who is now walking. Would you call it a miracle? I call it faith.
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