Hi, it's Maiqui.

I woke up this rainy Sunday morning surprised to find out from friends and relatives that my autoimmune story was part of a Sunday homily mass by Fr. Jason Laguerta of the Sta. Maria Goretti Parish, Manila.

I included the video clip of the homily above but you may start at the 07:20 mark for easier reference.

For context, the article he mentioned in the homily was from a recent interview made by my fiancé, Robi, to the press on my condition and the status of our wedding plans. I am touched that our story inspired him to include it in a very meaningful homily. I feel like I was meant to hear this today and I think it would be helpful to share it as well to others.

In the video clip, I added the part where he speaks about the late veteran journalist and highly respected broadcaster, Mike Enriquez. He was also battling his own sickness for years before he passed – what Fr. Jason calls his cross. The part that I related to the most was how he dealt with his sickness because it’s also what helped me endure and keep fighting. He said:

“Kailangan mo tanggapin ang sakit mo kasi kung hindi, mas lalo kang mahihirapan”

Mike Enriquez

Acceptance is key. When I learned that I may have an autoimmune disease, I didn’t even think to deny this possibility. I accepted it fully and focused on figuring out what it is and finding the solution instead. I still prayed, of course, that it wouldn’t be the case but it prepared me to face the diagnosis when it did arrive. If I chose to deny it then maybe I would’ve taken my time and ended up in a worse situation.

Like Robi, it is normal to question why we go through these kinds of suffering. Why me? Why us? Why now? Isn’t God supposed to bring us blessings and not sufferings?

As shared by Fr. Jason in the homily, God has three answers for us:

1. As humans, part of our journey is suffering. We have to understand that the reality of suffering is part of our lives as contingent human beings. We are limited, we are mortals, and we are vulnerable. We have to accept that part of life is suffering.
2. Suffering is a requisite to greatness. Our crosses or adversities in life can also lead us to something better. Kasama ng tagumpay ang paghihirap. We must endure the pain and hardships to obtain success.
3. God is bigger than any of our human sufferings. Our cross is a necessary part of our journey because God will show us how he will conquer any death, cross, and suffering to give us hope and eternal life. We have to go beyond the suffering and look at the bigger picture that God has a plan for us. You have to believe, trust and surrender.

Each of us has our own story and our own crosses to bear. There are different ways of dealing with it but my faith and acceptance are what’s helping me deal with mine.

I honestly got emotional and cried after hearing this homily. Even if I am better and stronger, I am still going through my crosses now and it can be tiring and painful at times.

But like Fr. Jason said, you must believe, trust and surrender. I truly believe that God has a bigger plan for me with all this. Maybe it’s this blog, something more, or something so amazing that I never would’ve imagined.

Hope you had a blessed Sunday! –

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Matthew 16:24-26