Change and be better

Father shared at mass last weekend about how we can get very defensive when others comment on our actions. We always want to be right in all situations. Father challenged us to instead reflect on our behaviour and actions, and to change and be better.

I definitely agreed that I am very defensive when others comment on my actions. These may or may not be true, but I know that without reflecting on them, I would not be able to allow the situation to mold me and change me to be a better person. I have encountered many such situations and though I am not very proud of my responses, I know that I can use these experiences to do better next time. I also know that I need God to help me change from my old ways.

As I venture out into the unknown, I hold with me the faith that God will help me better handle situations in the future, and make me a better person for His Glory.

For many are called, but few are chosen

"For many are called, but few are chosen." This was taken from the Gospel of Matthew and was the Gospel reading from last Sunday.

This phrase has been running through my head these past few days. I wonder what Jesus was trying to say, or is trying to say to me... Is He trying to tell me to persevere in my undertakings? That every opportunity that presents itself may not lead to the right outcome for me? This very much seems the case for my current situation...

However, as I pondered and prayed about it, I realised that there is a deeper meaning to this phrase. We are all called to live our life with love, but not all of us respond to this call. We are like the guests that were invited to the wedding, and we need to respond to this invitation by dressing appropriately, else we would be throw out. We need to respond in the right way to Christ's call for us, and only then can we remain in his heavenly banquet.

I know that I may not have always responded with love in my calling as a Christian but I pray that God will bless me with the grace and strength to do just that, in spite of how I am feeling.

Be thankful for life

Just the other day, I was having a really bad day and I chanced upon an event. It was an event in support of leukemia patients. The events of my day felt so insignificant at that moment.

We decided to purchase lanterns in support of the event. As we approached the queue, we were greeted by a lady who asked us whether we knew of anyone who has leukemia. Immediately, I remembered a school mate who passed on after his battle with leukemia. It was actually my brother's classmate. I was very young then, and did not really understand what it was all about. Now, as I remember him, I pray that he is with God now, in His heavenly embrace. We bought 2 lanterns, a gold one to remember a loved one and a blue one to support those who are battling this terrible disease.

I am thankful for being alive today and as I place the horrible events of my bad day behind me, I pray for those in a much worse off situation than me, especially those who are suffering from cancer and other illnesses. May our dear Lord grant them strength and healing.  

Do not be envious because of my generosity

Jesus preached about the parable of the landowner who went out to hire workers for his vineyard, and liken this to the Kingdom of Heaven. This landowner hired workers at different times of the day but paid them all the same day's wages.

The workers who were hired in the earlier part of the day felt unfairly treated and complained to the landowner. To this the landowner refuted, saying that the wages were agreed when they were hired. "Why be envious because I am generous?" He said.

We are very often like the workers who complained. It is human nature to expect more when we have done more. However, God is generous to everyone, as long as we believe in Him and enter into His covenant. It does not matter which stage of our lives this happens, God will always be there with open arms to receive us and shower His blessings on us. We who have been longer in this community of believers should extend our love and support to those on the journey towards God. We should be privileged that we can be part of this amazing community to show the face of God to others, to be His hands and feet.

I pray that God will continue to grant me an open heart to share in the joy of others and not be envious of His generosity.

Jesus died for me

We celebrated the exaltation of the cross last weekend. I do not recall this celebration in previous years... It probably just did not speak to me all those years...

I have been struggling lately with God's plan and direction for me in my life, grappling with the many challenging situations I find myself in. Much pain and suffering were involved, where I sometimes question when all this will end, or at least get better... I understand that this is the process I must undergo to grow but this seems too much to endure...

Jesus did not need to suffer and die on the cross, but He did to save me, and you. His suffering was so much that he perspired blood. Father mentioned in his homily that Jesus was under such intense stress that the capillaries in his body cracked and the blood came out as perspiration through his body. This has been confirmed by doctors to be possible if the person goes through immense stress. I could never imagine that, what a scary thought.

The suffering of Christ is so hard to imagine and ever more so His obedience to the Father and His willingness to die on the cross for all of us, believers and non-believers. As I ponder on this, I feel so blessed that Jesus sacrificed His life for me. I look forward to the day when my suffering turns into victory in the Resurrection, and I finally find rest in the Lord. Till then, I pray that the Lord will continue to lead and guide me through life's challenges.

You will be accountable for the actions of your neighbour

A very stark reminder from the first reading from last weekend's mass. It says that we will be held accountable for the evil actions of our neighbour if we witness it and do not correct their actions.

This is the sin of inaction, which many of us are so guilty of. It is so much easier to ignore than to confront and attempt to correct, risking the potential of getting a nasty reaction. God is calling us to be His hands, feet and mouth, to reach out to our neighbours and correct them where necessary.

I pray that when the situation arises, that I may have the courage and grace to do just that. As I sit here tying these words, I honestly cannot imagine myself doing that. But with the grace and power of God, I know I will when the time comes... I pray the same for you. Let us go out and be Christ to all, no matter the situation.

What are we passionate about

I believe that we are all placed in this world for a special reason, and that is to bring Christ to those that we meet. When Father mentioned at mass recently, "What we are passionate about?", it got me thinking... again. :) Father went further by asking us if you get too passionate about material things that we forget about Christ and what is really important in our lives...

This hit me really hard. I am the kind of person who would give my all at work and in most things that I do, such that at times I have neglected Christ and family, the important people in my life. Now at this point in my life as I give more time to the important people in my life, I find myself lost in translation... I'm trying very hard to discern what Christ has in store for me. With each new situation I find myself in, the discernment gets more confusing. As I journey from focusing on the passions of material things, to Christ and family, I pray that I will be able to find the perfect balance to help me grow into the person that Christ has made me to be.