Eager to intercede

YES, we need to be eager and quick to help others. We

should never be indifferent to the needs of others even if we have our

own needs and predicaments. Actually, our attitude of interceding for

others has a way of resolving or at least of giving some relief to our

own problems and difficulties.

            Our own problems and difficulties should not be a

hindrance in our eagerness to intercede for the others. In fact, we

should make use of our own predicaments to spur us to get more

involved in the lives of others. By so doing, we would actually

simplify our life, not complicate it.

            We very likely would ask, how can that be when we already

are burdened by our own problems? And the answer can be that this

outlook in life and attitude to our problems can be the practical

application of what Christ himself said and encouraged us to do:

“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses

their life for me will find it.” (Mt 16,25)

            The same divine logic can be found in these other words of

Christ: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed

down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your

bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be

measured to you again.” (Lk 6,38)

            Our eagerness to intercede for others should be based on

our faith and love for God. It should never be a product of mere human

calculations. We have to follow what Christ has taught and shown us.

            To be sure, we always have the capacity to intercede

because even if we can be very limited in helping others materially,

our capacity to help others spiritually is unlimited. We can always

pray for them, offer sacrifices for them. That’s the least that we can

do for others but also the most indispensable.

            We have to remind ourselves of the great truth of faith

that we actually form one family, the family of God. Through the truth

of our faith called the communion of saints, we are vitally united

with one another here on earth, with those in heaven as well as with

those still purifying themselves in purgatory.

            We need to feel responsible for one another, asking the

effective intercession of those already triumphant in heaven and

generously helping those still in purgatory. And with those still

struggling here on earth, we need to be pro-active in reaching out to

all, including those who may not like us for one reason or another.

            We need to train ourselves and form our mind and heart to

immediately be mindful and thoughtful of them, getting to know them

better, empathizing with them, helping bear with their burdens,

whatever they may be.

            As said earlier, we can always pray for them and offer

sacrifices for them. In this way, we reflect the very redemptive life

of Christ and assume his sentiments of love, compassion and mercy. We

approach the ideal of our life which is to be “alter Christus,”

another Christ!