Fr Elbert (back row second from right) with the community standing outside their newly built chapel - a space for prayer and a representation of hope. Photo: Fr Elbert Balbastro
The term "treasure" is typically associated with wealth, expensive vehicles, jewellery, or a large home. Most of these treasures are valuable and can provide solace to their owners. Conversely, the term "cross" might be associated with pain, persecution, or a Christian religious symbol. Although these two terms do not seem to go hand in hand, my encounters with Christians in Judo village helped me understand that the cross is indeed a treasure.
One of the places we minister is Judo, where our Christian Parkari brothers and sisters live. We always set aside plenty of time to visit them once a month. It is about a two hour drive from the parish. When I was a student on my first missionary assignment, I met them at Khipro Parish, but they moved to our parish for employment. When I visited in July this year, I was taken aback by the changes I saw. They already have a bathroom, and their mud home is better than it was before. What shocked me most was that they built a chapel in their compound without any parish assistance. Six families make up the community there, and they pooled their resources and strength to build a modest chapel.
They could have built a footpath to have a good road during the rainy season or prioritised purchasing a solar panel because they do not have electricity there, but instead they decided to build a chapel.
One of the men in that village told me, "Father Ji, the cross is our identity as Christians, and we want a chapel where we can gather and pray." As long as we have faith in Jesus, this chapel becomes a source of strength and hope that one day our lives will be better. The cross is indeed our treasure. He is right; the cross is, in fact, our treasure. Beyond our Christian identity, the cross represents solidarity, hope, and the overcoming of fear. Because we cling to the cross, we remain unwavering even in the face of adversity.
I learned from that experience never to flee or fear the cross. Jesus Christ was right when he said, "Take up your cross and follow me." We should always view the cross as our treasure, for in doing so we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the only source of all treasure. The treasure of our lives is our cross, which we never let go of.
An invaluable gift and treasure for the community, the chapel was constructed with basic materials and a great deal of love and faith. Photo: Fr Elbert Balbastro
Therefore, if we value the earthly treasure, we ought to value the potential treasure found on the cross as well. The cross is the one item that Judo devotees cherish more than anything else on earth. This cross is the foundation of their faith and the reason they are able to live another day. They already have the cross deeply ingrained in their souls, and it is indeed a treasure that no one can take away from them.
Columban Fr Elbert Balbastro lives and works in Pakistan.
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban eBulletin
