No, sir, not this time

Now that clerkship is two days away, my classmates and I are resorting to what I would call panic-buying behavior, only that we don't hoard on grocery items but last-minute happy memories.

Someone flew to Bohol for a last-minute vacation; she'll be starting off with the notoriously difficult six-week Internal Medicine rotation. A couple of classmates are still in Europe. Some went home to spend what may well be their last weekend for the next couple of months. I watched Prometheus yesterday with my roommate Ian; this evening, it will be Snow White and the Huntsman with my brother.

For my personal devotions, I've been reading 2 Corinthians, and I'm on the fourth chapter where Paul exalts the name of God despite the suffering he has undergone. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead has enabled him not to lose heart, endure adversity, and proclaim the gospel.

In 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, Paul writes:

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."

Paul refers to the adversities and dangers he faced as he imparted the gospel to the Gentile world. Jars of clay is the metaphor he uses to describe himself and the people who were with him, a metaphor used to indicate human weakness. His point is that God's strength is magnified in when we are at the end of ourselves.

I suppose I can draw some lessons from Paul's lessons in the ministry. First, that I am a jar of clay, but I have a treasure: the gospel of the glory of Christ! Second, that adversities and challenges will come, but these can be overcome through the strength that God will provide. Third, that my goal is to manifest the life of Jesus in whatever I do. I hope I don't forget these lessons during clerkship.

I'm now in Block Three, comprised of my research groupmates in first year. Our first rotation is Surgery. Pinggoy Danguilan, our newest block member, has volunteered to be the liaison officer (LO). This is the first time I'll be working with him, but this much I can say: he has upped the ante for future LO's. I laugh out loud while reading lines from his quotable block "advisories," and I'm sure you'll find these fascinating.

"I believe we can quickly figure this out to the hilt if we learn directly from the source. I also believe that the plan, if well executed at the start, will make us and not break us because we get to find our rhythm really early." 

"We are to strive and eliminate miscommunication or lack of communication if we want to achieve our goals in decking."

"Let's wait for more developments on this one."

"Starting line, brothers and sisters in arms. Ready, set, go ..."

"The 'must read file', although lengthy, you really must read."   

And I'll end my entry with this.

"Be excited, guys! We are not going home without the win! No, sir, not this time."

We're going to a military camp.


Upper Photo courtesy of Gino Gomez.