Love your enemies

The central message that came across at Mass last weekend is the call to love your enemies. This is a very tough call, in my opinion. Almost every single incident that involves someone doing something against me stirs up so much hatred that I cannot ever imagine loving that person.

Father shared about the true story of a lady, whose dad was killed in the hotel bombing in the UK in 1984 it was I think. She met up with the bomber to find some sort of peace and ended up meeting with him on numerous occasions. In the end, she found that she was able to love this person in spite of what he had done to her dad. This is a really amazing story of how love always conquers evil.

I am certain that God blessed her with the grace to forgive and to consequently love that person. I pray for that same grace to do the same, as difficult as it is. As I prayed, I realised that the very enemy that can cause me the most pain and grieve is yours truly. Yes, it is me that is my own enemy. As strange as that might sound, but I find that I can be too hard on myself and expect too much from myself. Being able to forgive and love myself is one thing that I need to do, and I pray that God's grace will allow that healing to take place.

God's Grace sustains

St Mary's Cathedral always takes me away to the beautiful image of the historical architectural brilliance of churches in Europe which I have come to associate. It is also a place where I seek solace in the Holy sanctuary of God.

At a recent Novena session, after the benediction of the Holy Eucharist, the lights in the Cathedral suddenly brighten. Even the priest was taken by surprise, turning to look at the sacristan beside him. At that instance, I felt overwhelmed with a sudden calmness and a strong feeling that God is amongst us. It is a timely reminder for me that though I may be lost in the wilderness, God is with me through it all. His Grace will sustain me and keep me sane. I think that without this firm believe that God has a better plan for me, I would not have imagined how I would have survived.

As I go into the unknown, I pray that His Grace will continue to sustain me and give me Hope for a future filled with His wonderful blessings.

It's a scorpion's nature to sting, why should I give up my nature to save

At mass last weekend, Father shared a story about an elderly man, who on one of his usual morning walks, saw a scorpion hanging on a tree branch overhanging the river. He tried to pick the scorpion up to bring him to safety but was stung by him a few times. Another person, who happened to pass by, saw this and told the man off. The elderly man replied instead,"It's a scorpion's nature to sting, but why should I give up my nature to save."

Father continued to encourage us to be the Christian in our lives, be it at work, with friends or anywhere. We may have been at the receiving end of injustice or unkind acts, but we should not give up our nature, to do the loving thing. I found much consolation and peace in my heart on hearing this. I, myself have been pondering on a decision I made recently. I know I made the right decision, to do the right thing but in the process I have plagued myself with many more problems. I think I am still recuperating from the stings of the scorpion but I know that at the end of it, God's grace will see me through all the problems I am going through right now.

As Father says,"Love will prevail." Thank you Lord for your comforting words. May I see through this difficult time with You ever by my side. I pray that my nature remains in You and that I will reflect your love in this world.

You are Salt of the Earth, and Light of the World

Last Sunday's reading highlighted the fact that we are the Salt of the Earth, and Light of the World. I am reminded of my time in Toronto, Canada for the World Youth Day.

As I look back on that experience, I wander if I am any different from that person more than 10 years ago. I often ask myself if I am being Christ to those around me... It is a tough calling, to be the Salt of the Earth, and Light of the World. It is even worse to know that those who do not bring Christ to others will be thrown out, like salt that has lost its taste. Most days, I find myself failing in my call as a Christian. It is on those days that I pray for the grace of God, and I am strengthen with renewed vigour to live my life as Christ would want me to.

Let us not be discouraged and be assured that Christ is with us in our calling as Christians. We are not alone and have God as our strength and guide.

Do the will of the Father

At a recent Novena service, Father mentioned the phrase Jesus said,"It is not those that call me Lord, Lord who will enter the Kingdom of God, but those who do the will of the Father."

I have been reflecting much on this phrase. I ask myself constantly,"Am I doing the will of the Father?" Or am I just calling out His name at every sign of trouble and distress? I am at the stage of my life when I am asking God what His Will for me is. Today, I received yet another notification telling me that my job application has been unsuccessful. I could not help but ask the Lord where He is leading me with this.

I know deep down in my heart that He has placed me in this world for a purpose. However, it seems that my life is moving in an aimless direction. All that I hope and pray for seems to be the blessings God gives to others. I believe that He has a plan for me and I pray that my little faith will see me through this season of preparation as I await the blessings He has in store for me.

Reveal your will for me Lord and grant me the grace to live the call you have for me.

Christ meets us at where we are

It is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord today. The high priest Simeon was prompted by the Holy Spirit to go to the Temple on the day when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to present Him to the Lord.

Father mentioned that Jesus meets us at where we are, at our meetings with people and family. I always wondered if there is such a thing as a chance encounter? Or are such encounters prompted by the Holy Spirit? The gospel today reminds me that the Holy Spirit is always gently prompting us in our lives. Though we might be unaware, the Spirit leads us to meet Christ.

We encounter people everyday and it is through them that Christ is revealed to us. Today I pray that I will be more discerning to these encounters and see the Christ in others.