Iron Man

Accustomed to having domestic helpers in the Philippines, most Filipinos who reside in foreign lands feel burdened with household chores waiting for them after work hours. Residing in Auckland, New Zealand, my family has managed to carry out the tasks at home through division of labour. Thus when I learned that a film on Marvel Comic hero Iron Man was released in cinema houses, I was excited. You see, I carry the name “Iron Man” for myself as far as work at home is concerned: I may not have superpowers to save the world, but I do keep all the clothing of family members tidy and well pressed. My weekly assignment is to iron clothes, pants and others.

Last Wednesday, I did my usual job but had to spend more than an extra hour getting things done, as most of the clothes were not totally dry. The sun had been hidden for days as clouds poured rain endlessly.  It was obvious that clothes hung out and dried by the sun are far easier to iron than those partially wet. But even with dry ones, it is difficult to iron certain areas like the upper part of sleeves and the hip portion of pants. But the most demanding are the long towels and thick blankets.

By analogy, people ought to be out in the sun – interacting with fellow beings. God washes us of our sins upon baptism and sends us into the world. “(A)nd this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21) We are to become light to others with our words and our deeds. “You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5) But there are many occasions that our brightness and warmth are dimmed with sins thrown our way by Satan. “Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong! It is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the person on whose account or by whom the temptation comes!” (Matthew 18:7) 

The more sins we are contaminated with, the more that we distance ourselves from God. “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12) But what is most wonderful is that God is a forgiving God.  “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” (Micah 7:18) For it is His desire that when we come before Him we are in our Sunday’s best, not only from without, but more importantly from within. “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

by Mel Libre