I am a Miracle Maker

It's Christmas time again... Merry Christmas my friends.

It has been awhile since I last wrote. It has been a really busy time at work, learning new stuff and clocking in the extra hours as issues arises in a major project, and with new projects pouring in like the River Nile. It has been a challenge juggling work and home but I'm thankful God has sustained me beyond my imagination.

In this season of advent, I managed to squeeze in some time during my drives to work after dropping Angie off at the train station, to prepare for Christmas. Through the meditation of the rosary, I was constantly reminded about the miracle of Christ's birth into the world we live in. A friend of mine stunned me once when he said,"I am a miralce maker." He might have meant it in a different way but I choose to believe that his words contained so much wisdom. It is even so during this time of Advent and Christmas. I believe that we are all called to be miracle makers in this world. God is calling us in our own special way to create miracles where He has placed us. He wants us to make possible what would be the impossible in the eyes of those of this world. I think doing the right thing, even if it might seem to be contrary to the ways of this world, makes real the miracle of Christ. As His birth was a miracle, and His deeds as well, we all have that natural tendency to create miracles.

I am challenged to do just that. Though it may be difficult in certain situations, and though I may fail at times, I pray for God's strength and grace to help me get there. As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us continue the work of Christ, and be our own unique miracle maker in this world.

God Bless you loads and have an awesome Merry Merry Christmas! :)

Today you will be with me in paradise

It has been quite a few weeks, wrapping things up in the Uni and getting settled into the new job. Tonight I managed to find some time to write this reflection. Jesus mutter this phrase:"Today you will be with me in paradise." to the repentent thief. This was part of the Gospel passage last week I think...

This phrase has been stuck in my head for awhile now. I have always been affected by the response of people, especially the bad and horrible ones. Just the other day, there was this young chap in church, who was perpectually with a black face, on the two occasions I turned in his direction. First at the start of mass when we were invited to greet those around us and during the sign of peace. I'm not sure about you but it always stirs up the anger within me when people do that. I found it very very difficult to initiate a smile, let alone extend the sign of peace, but I know it is really God's peace that we extend to people. I had to force a smile, and when I returned to face the altar, looking at Christ hanging on the cross, I remembered this phrase. This chap in church may represent the unrepentent thief, but he may also represent the repentent thief in the future. Nobody knows for sure but one thing is certain, is that God loves everyone, irregardless of whether we are good or bad. As long as we are repentent in the end, that is the most important. We will be in paradise with Christ. I pray for that chap but also for myself to acknowledge that I need to be Christlike even to those who may annoy me.


This week being the first week of advent, which coincidentally is also my first week at work, I pray that God prepare my heart as we welcome Chirst's birth. In the process, I pray that I will be more like Christ in my dealings and interactions with people.

May we all experience Chirst's birth in a very special way this Christmas and shine His Light in the world.

I am the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob

This was proclaimed to Moses and it was not until Father mentioned the implied meaning, that the light-bulb in my head went up. Apparently, this was told to the Sadducees, who at that time did not believe in the resurrected Lord. This story was related to them to convince them that Jesus was indeed raised from the dead.

I have been reflecting quite abit about what it means to believe in the resurrected Lord. Everyday as I lay awake in bed, refusing to give in to the reality of life beckoning at me to get up for work, I tell myself I could just sleep forever. It seems the routine of life has stung me and I feel so much of the absence of God. Amazingly though, as I force myself out of bed, the energy and drive to begin on a brand new day never fails to get me going. Most of the time at least... The anxieties and worries of the day soon cloud my mind and I find myself fighting these thoughts and hoping that the day pans out well. At the end of the day, I ask myself is my life one that proclaims the resurrected Lord? The only answer I can find is that in my daily struggles I draw strength in knowing that Christ is risen and He will lift me up.

Recently, a string of events brought about much hope for me. I got an interview, which followed the appointment I made to speak with my Professors with regards to my decision to leave. Somehow, my concrete decision to leave was affirmed by the prospect of a new job. Soon, the interview was over, with mixed feelings on how it went. I was then faced with the dauting task of informing my Professors the very next day. Though I was asked to reconsider, I felt it was best to leave. I did however convinced myself to continue if nothing came out of the interview. Finally when I was offered the job, I struggled to come to terms with the mightly low salary. Though I got some repreive from an arrangement to get an increment after the probation period, I had to bite my teeth and trust that God will pull us through this initial period. Now, as I break the news to my Professors, I'm thinking how I can wrap things up on their side. I must say that God really works in His own ways and though we try our hardest to live our lives the best we can, it is really God who glues all things together. He is always there though we cannot comprehen with our senses. Always believe that our God is risen and He lives among us. He will carry us through the struggles of our daily grind and reveal moments of joy and His Glory in the things of the earth.

God bless you all and perserve in life. God has your back.

Thank you Lord for your omi-presence.

To be little, not belittle yourself

 

It has been quite a week, busy catching up with family and friends. We managed to sneak in a novena session which turned out to be good spiritual input for the soul, as always.

 

Father spoke about humility, that we are all called to follow Christ's act of humility. "Thse who humbles themselves will be exalted and those who exalts themselves will be humbled." This phrase, if I remembered correctly, is from one of the letters of St Paul. I once had the perception that to be humble, one has to think lowly of one's self in relation to others. This is attuned to false modesty, which is the wrong way to look at humility. Rather, we have to bring ourselves to the level of others, so that we can be equal and understanding. 

 

Father said that we should be little and not belittle ourselves. This I thought helped to clarify the term humility. Christ became man, so that He was equal to us human beings. His very act was to be little, but at the same time, He was still God Almighty. Therefore, we should strive to be like Chirst, no matter how successful we become, to always remember to be little, rather than to belittle ourselves.

 

As I reflect upon the happenings in my life, I find that at times I have been displaying false modesty, such that negativity has become who I am. As I look ahead, I pray that God will help me be little, rather than to belittle myself. May He be the Light that continues to enlighten us in understanding His ways.

 

God bless and thank you all for being such a blessing in our lives.   

Be Generous in giving

Two weeks back in his homily, Father told us to be generous in our giving. We are to be like Christ who is never lacking in generosity, to the extent of giving His life for us.


I have been asking myself how I can be generous since. Only until recently after a dramatic encounter at home that I realised that I can be generous with not only the material things but also the intangible things. We had a slight problem at home the other day and our friends whom we turned to for help did not hesitate to come over to help us deal with it. We are really thankful and grateful for that.


At the end of that long day, Angie asked me a question I did not expect. She said: “If the tables were turned, would I have no qualms about going over to help a friend in need?”. My obvious reply was ‘Of course!’. Now that I had time to ponder about that question, I’m not sure what my response would be in that particular situation. Delving deeper into that question, I realise that it calls for me to be generous with my time. Although I would gladly help a friend in need but if my time was occupied, that would change the whole scenario completely. I can only wish that God grants me the grace to prioritise the urgent from the rest and a heart of generosity.


The other story of generosity is my Dad, who came for a holiday but offered a huge hand in clearing our backyard and planting of new plants. I can't imagine doing all that by myself... And I am truely grateful for Daddy.


I hope that you may experience the joy of giving, be it your wealth, your time or your talents wherever you may be... God’s love and blessings be upon you always.

Suffering an ingredient in life

Last week truly brought to life the word suffering to me. I might have experienced one of a billionth of Christ's suffering and humiliation on the cross, or maybe even less. Though to me, it was kind of devastating.

I had an encounter with this particular person who was really nasty and horrible, because of mood swings. I did not know how to respond and somehow the encounter which felt like eternity, was over. It was after a few days, did Father's words during homily that particular weekend that passed, came to mind. Suffering is a part of our lives. Our Father allowed Christ to suffer so that we can be saved. In the same way, we need to experience suffering to be saved. We will grow stronger from it though every episode brings new perspective and meaning to the word suffering.
Indeed, suffering is an ingredient in life and without it, life would not be the same. I'm not trying to sound sadistic here but it gives us that inner strength to live life to the full. I thought I was crushed and defeated after that encounter but I'm back up on my feet and trying my best, even struggling to live life.
"The Lord is my strength, there is nothing I shall want." What a beautiful prayer by the palsmist. May my life be strengthen by you dear Lord. May all of us be strengthen by Him.

Be humble

Another week has gone by in a flash. How true it is that time passes very quickly when you are busy. This week has been packed with trying to meet a deadline at work and hoping to get some decent results for the research.I have been thinking and reflecting on what Father brought up over the weekend mass. We are to be humble as God has. Jesus showed His humility by taking the form of a human person and dying on the cross for us. I know this for a fact but his words really reminded me of this profound truth. Father shared about one of our previous Pope, who constantly reminded himself to be humble as Jesus is. In his position, I reckon it can be so easy to fall into that proud stupor.
I was edified by that story and as I look at my life, though I am not in such a position, I know that one day I may be in one and I pray that I can follow the example of Christ. I know that it is so easy to fall into the pride category, I see it everyday in the actions of people. Some of them strangers, others I know. All I can do is to say a little prayer for them that they may come to realise that we are all equal in the eyes of God.
Grant me wisdom Lord, that I may always be humble in all my dealings with anyone.