Today you will be with me in Paradise

I was enlightened by Father at Mass last weekend, celebrating the feast of Christ the King. He re-countered the scene at Calgary where Jesus was crucified on the cross, with two others to his left and right.

The repentant sinner said to Jesus,"Remember me when you come into your Kingdom." To that Jesus replied with the words,"Today you will be with me in Paradise." Father reminded us that we need Jesus to enter into His Kingdom, to enter into Paradise. Without Jesus, we will not be able to step into Heaven.

These were very simple words but it has such deep meaning. I always knew that we needed Jesus but today it was no longer head knowledge but a great yearning to know Jesus even more, to recognise a King who showed us the way by dying on the cross to save us.

Help me know you more and more each day Lord Jesus and I look forward to being in Paradise with you.

Be generous

I have always struggled with generosity, money in particular. All our financial commitments seem to creep up on us ever so often, and with increasing amounts every time. Inflation would appropriately describe this phenomenon.

Just last Sunday at Mass, the Archbishop appealed through the parish for the annual Christmas donations for charities that are supported by the archdiocese. I found myself wringing to God about my current situation and telling him that I should be at the receiving end of the donations myself... But then it dawned on me that there are many many people much worse off than me. At least I still have a roof above my head, and food on the table.

I wondered to myself what would I resort to if I were in their situation? I could not begin to comprehend... I started to sympathise with them and try to look beyond my situation to find within myself to give generously to this appeal. I hope that my small contribution would go a long way for those that need it most.

Dear Lord, help me give what I can and play my part in bringing Jesus to those who cannot look beyond their situation to see Him.

I have a plan for you

Have you ever looked at your friends around you and feel happy that they are doing well? Then look at yourself and wonder if you will get there? It is certainly not a very good place to be.

Every so often I find myself directionless and seeking for the path that God has prepared for me, not knowing what that path might be... I can really identify with the song "Help me find it" by Sidewalk Prophets. Not knowing is a very painful experience but the total surrender to God's revelation in His time takes such great faith and trust that right now I'm not sure I have a fraction of.

Today at mass, we were approached to bring up the bread and wine for the offertory. I was pleasantly surprised, that we of all the people in church were chosen. I have always felt that it is a great honour to offer up the bread and wine during mass. Today, as we held the offertory in our hands, walking down the church aisle, I felt that I was offering up myself as well to the Lord. I sense God telling me that He has a plan for me, that I should not worry but believe.

Thank you Lord for the beautiful encounter at Mass. May I be surprised by you everyday.

Be compassionate

Recently, I followed-up on an application I submitted some time ago with expectant faith that my skills set and experience would at least secure me an interview. Imagine the spectrum of emotions when I received a negative reply. I was downcast and asked myself why this was happening.

I was upset with myself that I could not do anything to improve the situation. I decided to request for feedback on my unsuccessful result without expecting anything positive. Once again, God has other intentions. I was surprised to receive a prompt reply with a promise to give me feedback the coming week. It was a genuine typed written message without a hint of those response template you usually receive. This person, whom I have never met, has shown me compassion through his very simple gesture.

He has shown me the face of Jesus, compassionate to all, even to tax collectors who were labelled sinners. The question I ask myself is, "Am I able to be compassionate to myself?". I have been very hard on myself lately and this is a timely reminder to be compassionate, especially to me.

Thank you for showing me the way Lord, and please continue to strengthen me in my trials and allow me to be compassionate.

God has a better plan for you

I was at mass yesterday, with many distractions on my mind. Sitting there among the parishioners, I was in my own world. I must admit that I was just following the motions of mass, standing, sitting and kneeling where required.

As Father was delivering the homily, his words were whizzing past me, travelling in and out of my ears, without finding a resting place in my mind. It was not until he mentioned a phrase that found residence in my overcrowded brain. He said that If God did not answer your prayers, He has a better plan in store for you.

I have definitely heard these words before but have struggled to live by them. Deep down within my heart, I believe that this is true, but in the recesses of my brain, the electrical pulses that create my thoughts tell me differently. It is really by faith that I hold firm to that belief. I know that God has great plans for us, plans that we cannot comprehend at the present moment but with eyes of faith, will be slowly revealed to us.

It is with this anticipation and what remains from my exhausted brain, that I left church with a lighter heart and a silent prayer to be patient and faithful. I pray the same for you who may be in a similar situation. God has a better plan for you.

Being missionary

It was Mission Sunday last weekend and the Catholic Mission Office was asking for donations to help the Catholic Church in Mongolia. I found out then that Mongolia is the youngest church, a mere 20 years old.

A video clip was shown and it highlighted the situation in Mongolia and more strikingly, the story of a middle-aged man and his family who were left homeless after a natural disaster. He and his family were taken in by the Church. He shared a phrase that is still echoing in my heart and mind, that he is at peace with God in his life.

I could not help but find myself humbled by his attitude, as I am struggling to find peace in the midst of my current situation. I seem to search for things that will grant me this peace but God is the only person that can provide the peace that will satisfy.

As I part with a small donation that day, I am thankful that this person from Mongolia has reached out to me through that video. I continue to seek God in all things and hopefully learn to appreciate the peace that only He can give.

Choose Love

It has been quite tough going for me. Not sure where God is leading me. Some days I wake feeling disorientated and other days I feel confident that God has many wonderful things in store for me.

One thing I did not count on were the constant opportunities to choose love over indifference. People are constantly in and out of our lives and it is very seldom that they stay with us for an extended period of time. It is precisely those that stay longer that we have some expectation of them. Though we do not consciously want to, but it creeps up unawares.

I find myself easily disturbed and irritable on the days when I wake feeling not so good about myself. The smallest and insignificant issue can cloud my brain and obscure the simplest and most loving approach to resolve the issue. It is times like these that really test my resolve to choose love. I know that relying on my own strength will get me nowhere near that, so I pray to God that He will grant me the daily grace to live in His Light and choose love every time.