Have you fathomed everything that Christ endured for you? - Daily Reflections February 21,2014

THE SLAVE AND THE MASTER

 

Not too many Catholics know this African saint who lived in the late 19^th century until the early 20th century and whose memorial we celebrated last February 8. People call her St. Josephine Bakhita, but the reality is that she never had a name — maybe just a number to facilitate the public auctions in which the highest bidder would be her new master. She was a slave in Africa who grew up knowing nothing about herself, except that she was a slave. So early in life, without yet knowing Jesus, she already denied herself and took up her cross. Serving one master after another, she felt empty and incomplete. She humbly surrendered to her fate as a slave.

       Not knowing how to pray, she just wished all her life that her next master would be less mean, do her less harm, add less scars to her already scarred body. Later on, in another public auction, an Italian couple bought her and took her with them to Italy. While she served their household, she discovered that even a slave can be treated humanely. They were close to treating her as their own daughter. She started going to church with them. She received catechesis from the Canossian Sisters and learned about Jesus.

       She could not believe her faith discovery — that after all the pains she endured from different masters, there is actually a great Master named Jesus who offered His life for her! All she knew was that a master would flog her after every mistake. After all, that’s the life of a slave. And then she found the greatest treasure in Jesus, who took the form of a slave. Many people cannot relate to St. Bakhita because we are not slaves. But the Lord constantly invites us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him. Because we are not slaves, we tend to escape every possible hardship that may confront us, even if it means serving and following the Lord. We want to lord it over others. We want to conquer and remain victors in its worldliest sense. In the process, we ruin our lives and part ways with God.

       Like Bakhita, may we find our own treasure and stronghold in Jesus. Only He can complete our lives. Fr. Erick Y. Santos, OFS

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you fathomed everything that Christ endured for you?

 

Lord Jesus, my Master, You have died for me — may I live for You.