Day 13: Ti Mamaigo Si Yu’os
BY JAMES PAUL GUMATAOTAO | February 26th, 2024
Today’s readings
“Ti Mamaigo Si Yu’os” when translated means “God never sleeps.” This is a phrase that is often said or heard when one experiences an injustice. It is a common response for a variety of situations from small theft to deception. This simple Chamorro proverb recalls how justice will be done to those who do wrong, not by us, but by God. It is God who sees and remembers all things. More importantly, this proverb acknowledges our finite condition in light of our infinite God.
In our reading from Daniel, we hear Israelites pleading with God. The Israelites, whose shame is quite palpable, understood their current persecution or captivity as retribution for their failure to fulfill the covenant. One scholar suggests that this supplication can be understood more as an act of faith rather than an effort to change the current situation.
Similarly in our Psalm, the Israelites acknowledge their transgressions and appeal to God for a just punishment for their sins, instead of destruction. The distress of the Israelites indicates their need for a hastened victory. It is only through God’s compassion that their faith and thanksgiving are renewed.
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus focuses on how we are to treat others. So rather than giving into our tendency to judge or hold grudges, Jesus challenges his disciples to forgive and abstain from judging. In other words, we must not lose sight of our call: to be an instrument of God’s overflowing generosity.
During our Lenten journey, we must take a moment to acknowledge our finite condition and trust in God. The life of Christian discipleship is not easy. We can only do so much and we can only control how we react and respond. Instead of praying for the destruction of our enemies or a different ending, let us immerse ourselves in the knowledge of God’s attentiveness and the promise of fulfillment. As we best discern how we can be better instruments of God’s generosity, we can rest in knowing “God never sleeps.”
James Paul Gumataotao is a theology teacher and campus minister at Cristo Rey Boston. A native son of Guam, he studied theology and education at the University of Portland, and is a graduate of the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College. Prior to moving to Boston, he taught in Fairbanks, AK as a high school teacher.
Indeed, we can only control how we react and respond. The dark times are opportunities for growth and through our experience we are able to help others in similar situations. So the question I constantly ask myself is, “How can I use this experience to help others?”