30.01.25 Pedro Ballester: Ketika Sakit Tak Mampu Merenggut Terang

Thursday 3rd week in ordinary time "Mk 4:21-25"

And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear." And he said to them, "Take heed what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away." Pedro shined with the light of Christ. At the age of 16 he accepted his vocation as a numerary in Opus Dei. When, two years later he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he understood what God wanted him to do. For three years he underwent all sorts of sufferings and treatments, whilst trying to keep up with his university studies and lead a normal life. Like mosquitoes, people started being attracted by the light that Pedro spread around him. Many sought him out; in fact, when he was in hospital he was never alone. Young patients wanted to be with him, talk to him; so did nurses, doctors, relatives of other patients... When he was at home it was the same: bishops, priests, students, teachers - anyone who had met him even once felt the need to visit him again. And in the middle of all his suffering and pain, he always found time for everyone. He never allowed his parents to send anyone away, however bad the pain was; he wanted to talk with anyone who came to see him. During the last weeks of his life the influx only increased. He had words of encouragement for everyone, helping them to get closer to God. Pedro Ballester died on January 13, 2018. At his funeral you could see part of the fruit of his short life: the bishop concelebrated with more than 30 priests and hundreds of people: relatives, friends, students, teachers, doctors, nurses, patients... A young lad asked him a few weeks before he died, "Are you happy, Pedro?" Pedro answered – after three years of suffering and aware of how close he was to death – “I have never been happier.” Lovers beam with happiness. Thousands of lives are touched by the light of Christ which shines in those who love Him. And that light can't be hidden. Mary, Mother of the Light, help me to follow St Josemaría's advice: "Don't let your life be barren. Be useful. Leave a mark. Shine forth, with the shining light of your faith and your love... and set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you bear in your heart" (St Josemaría). More about Pedro on this site: https://www.pedroballester.org.uk