2 Corinthians 4:17 Novels & Stories

“Colossians 3:13. Bearing with one another, and if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Must. Hindi ‘try to’. Must. Naramdaman ko yung kamay ni Mom na pinisil yung kamay ko. “Now, alam ko yung iba sa inyo iniisip niyo…. ‘Pero pastor, hindi niya deserve ng kapatawaran. Hindi naman siguradong magbabago na sila. Sasaktan lang nila ako ulit.’” Yes. Exactly. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na marunong ngang bumasa ng isip ang mga close sa Panginoon.

Naka-engraved ang pangalan niya, may maliit na Bible verse sa likod nito. “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” I Corinthians 13:7 Simple lang pero galing sa puso ko. Napatingala ako sa wall clock 6:35 AM na. Any minute, nandito na siya. Doon nagsimulang kumabog ang dibdib ko nang sobra. “Girl, relax. Magiging successful ‘to.” saka ako kinindatan ni Alyssa.

sambit ni pastor. Maya maya pa ay nag simula na ang reading, “reading from the Apostle Paul, The first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13, verses 4 through 7: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Father, as and pledge themselves to each other, help them and bless them that their love may be pure, and their vows may be true. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”

Pareho kasi nilang namana sa ina ang hilig sa paghahalaman. Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Jhaz bago sinumulang magsalita sa madla. “Thessalonians 4:13 reads, ‘Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”

pagsang-ayon ko sa kanyang sinabi. 10 EACH of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV)

matulin kong saad at nakikipagsukatan ng tingin sakaniya pero umiling at ngumiti siya. "Alam mo bang isa akong kristiyano? At alam mo ba ang payo ni Apostol Pablo na sinabi niya na 'Huwag gumanti kaninuman ng masama para sa masama. Maglaan ng mabubuting bagay sa paningin ng lahat ng tao' sa ROMA 12:17." sambit niya ikinagulat ko pero nginitian niya lang ako ng matamis.

Binaon ko ang aking mukha sa una ko nang tumunog ang cellphone ko at bumungad sa akin ang mga mensahe galing kay Luke sa messenger. Luke: Before you go to bed I just want to share a verse with you from thwe Bible. This keeps me from overthinking a lot these days. Luke: It is found in Isaiah 41:10, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Luke: I'll pray for you. Goodnight and see you on Monday. Hindi ko mapigilan na mapaiyak dahil sa nabasa. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sobrang bigat ng pakiramdam ko ngayon.

Gigil na napailing ang naiinis na designer. Nagpatuloy ang seremonya. Nagbasa ang pari ng bible verse, mula sa Conrinthians 13: 4-8. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, It is not proud, it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always persevere. Love never fails…

Bawal na bawal 'yan sa Bibliya! Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure. (2 Corinthians 12:21)

Faith said. The room was filled with silence. "But you love each other, right?" Love asked and I nodded. "Corinthians 13:13, Hope," nakangiti niyang sabi. "Love is the greatest. As long as you love each other, you'll be fine. Dalawang taon na lang rin naman at gagraduate ka na. 'Wag lang kayong papahuli, okay?" "Alam mo, ikaw-" Faith wasn't able to continue what she's going to say when she saw Love's face.