Journal notes
I am so used to have Lenten pilgrimage under the scorching heat of the sun. This is quite different. It was drizzling at Kamay ni Hesus Shrine in Lucban, Quezon. This is one of the most- sought-after pilgrimage destinations and known for its miraculous healing masses and a steep hill that leads to the image of Jesus.
OMG! I have a fear of heights. I dread the sight of uphill, and makes my knees tremble. I asked for the number of steps before reaching the peak of the pilgrimage site. They said it was a whopping 200 steps!
I wanted to back out and just wait at the chapel. But that will defeat the purpose of the pilgrimage!
I said to myself, “just focus on every step.” I prayed for the courage to make the decision to climb.
The walk is slow, and the stop at every station allowed me to muster enough courage to move forward.
As I write this reflection, I also remember that in 2013 I was at rock-bottom. I failed the bar examinations four times, and 2013 was full of uncertainties for the last attempt in taking the bar examinations (there was a quota of five attempts only during that time).
All throughout the pilgrimage, my prayer and utterances were “Let Your will be done” and “May I truly surrender my will to Your will.”
Lo and behold, I was able to finish the Stations of the Cross and climb a little more up to the image of Jesus. Then, I whispered: “Thank You, Lord!”
Come October 2013, I took the bar exams, and God passed me a year after that. By the way, it was unusual that rain poured on one of the Sundays of the bar exams! In hindsight, it was awe feeling like that of the drizzling rain in our Lenten pilgrimage. Thank You, Lord, for guiding me in my steps! You are indeed a marvelous God!
I have always wanted to visit Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon - that’s why when I learned that this is our next Lent Pilgrimage destination, I was excited and looked forward to the trip.
We went there during the Lenten season of Y2013 so, aside from visiting the Church, the intention was to do the Stations of the Cross, which was an almost 300 steps climb to the top of a hill where you will reach the gigantic statue of Jesus.
Doing the stations of the cross here was quite different from the others I have done. Aside from the climb, you will be treated to scenes with life size statues depicting the events of Jesus’ sorrows to save us from our sins. It made me think that climbing these steps is such an insignificant sacrifice compared with what He has done for me.
My favorite spot was this where Jesus was nailed on the cross between two thieves. I realized that in our journey through life, we have our own crosses to carry – it may be light or heavy, it may be with good or bad company, but the important thing is that Jesus is always behind us, ready to guide and catch us when we fall. And that we need to tirelessly go to Him, be it 300 steps or 3,000. He is our goal; He is our true north ?
Now, going down the hill was a piece of cake especially when your burden/heart is light. Salamat sa Iyong pag gabay Hesus!
It was a rainy day when we went to Kamay Ni Hesus and the weather was drifting between drizzles and rain showers. However, it was not the rain that intimidated me but the seemingly daunting path of stairs that I had to climb in order to complete the Stations of the Cross.
Surprisingly, when we started the Way of the Cross and slowly went through the different stations, my fear was replaced with a lighter feeling and a sense of peace that can only come from praying and offering a sacrifice to The Lord, no matter how humble that sacrifice may be, and it more so intensified when we got to the top and finished the prayers.
At times, we are faced with certain tasks from The Lord that seem difficult at first but when we take the first step and surrender our fears, it is only then that we find out that He joins us in our journey and that He is always with us until the end.