Parable of the Cross

By: Juan Flavier

From: Parables of the Barrio

     The farmer had a series of misfortunes in fairly close succession.  He was uttterly dejected and filled with self-pity.  He truly felt like it was the end of the world for he could no longer bear the heaviness in his heart and mind.

     It started with the loss of his work animal-one of the best carabaos in the barrio and the envy of many farmers.  The carabao-nappers even added insult to injury for the animal was never sold as a prime beast for farming.  Instead it was ruthlessly and recklessly butchered.  But the thieves only got the thighs.  The body was left to decay and was eventually found due to the foul smell-a fate more befitting useless and sick carabaos.

     This caused the farmer's yield in his rice farm to dwindle drastically as he had to make do by borrowing carabaos from other farmers.  To top it off, a bad drought completely wiped out his already meager crop.

    At midyear, his only son was caught in possession of prohibited drugs.  The boy was alsom confirmed to be a drug dependent.

     His daughter eloped with the son of his archenemy.  "Anyone except that family," he moaned to himself.

     And as if to inflict the unkindest cost of all, his wife ran away with the town policeman.

     The man knelt in quiet desperation and prayed in his small nipa hut.  "LOrd, I have had it.  I cannot take it anymore.  This is just too much for me.  I can no longer carry my cross."

     A blinding light blazed upon the farmer and a kindly voice boomed.  "I understand how you feel, my son.  If you cannot bear your cross anymore, then come enter the room of crosses and select one whose weight you feel you can bear."

     Immediately the farmer saw a door open before him.  He dutifully entered the brightly lit room and left his cross by the door.  He saw before him all sorts of bulky crosses-all much bigger and heavier than his.  There was a bloodied cross which towered so high he could not discern its top.  One after another, he tried but could barely lift the crosses.

     Finally, he saw a small cross, which appeared manageable.  He heaved it upon his shoulders where it rested comfortably.  "Lord, I like this one," the farmer announced.

     "THAT IS THE VERY SAME CROSS YOU BROUGHT IN, MY SON.  Take it and go in peace," said the Lord.