Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
92.5 PERCENT
“He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver.” – Malachi 3:3
I craft religious themed fashion accessories using semi-precious stones. The accents I use are silver beads, spacers, charms and pendants. Many of these I buy in supply stores in Quiapo. The pieces I make are not spectacularly unique because other crafters use them. The thin silver coating also fades or chips in time, exposing the plastic or low quality metal underneath.
To fashion one-of-a-kind, high quality pieces, I use sterling silver accents. I get them from a silver jewelry export company. They are not found in the local market. Some are even custom-made for me. Although they tarnish in time, a dab of silver polish brings back the luster because they’re 92.5 percent silver.
At the end of our lives, we will be judged like these silver accents. Will we be deemed silver-plated — a person with a thin veneer of goodness overlaid on a selfish, sinful core? Or will we be deemed sterling silver — an extraordinary life refined by the fires of sacrifice, love and mercy; strengthened by an alloy of prayer and service?
May we allow the Lord to purify usuntil we are sterling like silver. Lella Santiago (mirellasantiago@yahoo.com)
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REFLECTION:
Do I look at my trials as burdens or as character-forming opportunities?
Father, cleanse me from all the impurities that tarnish my soul.
St. Joan de Lestonnac, pray for us.
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