My students, godparents, catechists & church leaders.
Earlier
this month I was feeling a bit down over a personal trial, in a moment of
courage I asked God to make me a blessing to someone that day. As I opened my Facebook page – I was astonished
by the many cries for help that are broadcasted every single day in this
forum. What really caught me was that
people from my parish were hurting so deeply.
This world is full of people in a state of pain and Christians are not
exempt. A lot of the time pain is a
leading reason that keeps us from God.
Nietzsche said bleakly, “Hope in reality is the worst of all evils
because it prolongs the torments of man.”
He’s right hope on its own is downright painful- but when you place that hope in God- the impossible is made possible.
Christians have a duty to rise above our circumstances and praise God
when the Lord gives and when He takes
away. This is what identifies us from
the secular world, that no matter the battle our hope in God is greater… Holiness requires us to faithfully stand and
be not shaken by oppression, illness or trouble. To have a faith so constant that whether well fed or hungry our hope remains in
the Lord. And the only way to grow in God is by surviving those trials and tribulations with a smile and complete trust in Him.
Sometimes
pain is the best classroom to achieve godly character. Years ago when my relationship of six years
came to an end, a few days later my grandpa passed away, and a couple months
after my brother took his life. That
period taught me that things can get worse quickly and that no matter the depth
of the pain God can heal anything.
There’s this great song in Spanish that I love (“Yo Quiero” with
Angelica Maria and Vicente Fernandez) - it’s a bit prideful, but there’s this
great line where she sings to her beloved, “I lost my mother who I idolized –
losing you won’t be difficult.” The
message is that after surviving that first huge loss that marks your life (mine
being the loss of my brother) our pain tolerance and experience with hurt
matures. It matures to the point where
God is our refuge and if He delivered us before He will ALWAYS.
This Lenten time is a time to be more generous to the poor. Usually we think of monetary or material gifts, but, more importantly it's a time to give to the spiritually desolate- to those who don't know God or those who do, but are having difficulty trusting in His promises. Love is the best ammunition for
spiritual battle. Earlier in the month
when I was feeling really beat I told my sister and my mom that I needed a lot
of hugs- and whenever they bumped into me they embraced me. The message is still true what the world needs now is love- but
don’t waste your time looking to be loved - be a lover first. To my friends bitter and hurting take care of
the lot that God has placed under your responsibility and trust that while you
work for the Kingdom – God is working for
the good of those who love Him. God knows your needs and hears your prayers…
Am not sure
how I got into these ramblings (smile)- when what I really wanted to share was about
how much I love working with RCIA. Have
I told you that I have dual residency- I belong to two different parishes. The first is my welcome back to the Catholic
faith parish where I spent the first years of my formation and where I help out
with the RCIA program in the Hispanic community. The other is where I belong to the young
adult group and am learning my faith en
ingles (smile). This is my first
year helping with the RCIA program and I absolutely love it! On Tuesday, we celebrated the Rite of
Election and Call to Continuing Conversion.
The ritual was so beautiful- God seriously is the best wooer! As I too learn my faith alongside my students
I realize that no one leaves the Catholic faith when one truly discovers its richness and essence. In helping shape this group of adults in
Christ – I too am being transformed and falling daily more in love with my
heavenly Father… The point is that while
you wait on the Lord you can kick and complain or you can trust that He will
provide and focus your energy in doing good for others- your choice (wink).
No comments:
Post a Comment