Hope in God's Grace

Father shared a story at mass the other day. It was a story about a man who got stranded on a deserted island.

He managed to built himself a hut to provide shelter, and food to keep him going. He prayed fervently every day to God that he will be rescued. One day, while returning from his search for food, he discovered that the hut he had built was on fire. He was not able to put out the fire and watch it go up in flames in front of his eyes. He became very angry with God, for what had happened.

Not long after, a ship arrived. They had seen the thick smoke from a distance and thinking someone might need help, sailed over to the island. They found the man and rescued him.

God's Grace works in unexpected ways. When we feel that nothing is going our way, let us hope in God's Grace to get us through. I pray that we may always look beyond our situation and hope in the Grace of God to make all things right for us.

Fan or Follower

At a recent mass, Father's homily got me thinking...

He asked us if we were a Fan or Follower of Christ. A Fan would be one who chases after Jesus, collecting anything relating to Him. On the other hand, a Follower is one who not only chases after Jesus, but has a relationship with Him.

Thinking about the difference, I wonder if I am having a relationship with Jesus... Am I able to grow in my friendship with Jesus, and attune my thoughts to His promptings and lead? I believe that I am on my way, but in the hectic and busy life that consumes me, I have to constantly find the space to listen to Him. I pray that we may all continue to give some space to allow our relationship with Christ to grow.

Faith is the hope of the future, illuminating the present...

It has been a busy time of self discovery and time spent with family and friends... In a blink of an eye, it is almost the end of the year.

At a recent Sunday mass at Hammond Park Catholic Primary, Father shared the words of Pope Francis. If I recall correctly, Our Holy Father said: "Faith is the hope of the future, illuminating the present, to carry us into the future".

I draw strength from these words. Without hope, our spirit dies... It is with faith, that we can hope in a better tomorrow, and at the same time knowing that God will guide us there, regardless of the situation we are currently in.

Increase our faith Lord, when we feel hopeless and downtrodden.

We are a work in progress

Lent has come and gone, and it is now Easter.

I was particularly struck by one of Father's homilies during the second week of Lent. He said that we are a work in progress. God is continually molding and forming us into His image and Likeness.

I'm not sure able you but I always beat myself up when I do something that is wrong or bad. I don't mean literally but figuratively. I would blame myself and this not only affects me but those around me as well.

It is comforting to know that we are really a work in progress and it is ok to fall, to make mistakes. That is all about being human. God is making us into the person He intends us to be, through the our wrongdoings, in His time. Let us accept that we are only human, and that each mistake is a learning experience for us to be a better person.

Thank you Lord for all you do, for Christ Jesus your Son!

Seeing the miracles in our lives

Recently at Mass, the Gospel was on the Wedding at Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle. Father shared with us how important it is to be thankful for the miracles that happen to us everyday.

Every time I hear this Gospel, I am reminded about my own wedding. We were also running low on wine, and through the kind gesture of the hotel banquet manager, supplied us with additional bottles of wine as compensation for a minor hiccup at the start of the celebration. Although there was no need on his part, he went ahead. This to me was a miracle like that at Cana.

Since then, I have tried to give thanks to God for the little miracles that has happened to me. Many times I have focused too much on my petitions, praying for a miracle to happen but receiving nothing. During those times, I have failed to see the other miracles that occurred, until on hindsight.

I pray that as we embark on this new year, let us always be thankful for the many miracles in our lives and may His grace open our eyes to see these miracles.