journeys-page

Dear Brothers and Sisters, as we are observing the social distancing/physical distancing my prayer is that we get closer and closer to God. I allow me to bring to you this short reflection, as a journey piece: As a child, we grew up making our own toys and the only time we were expecting toys as gift was on Saint Nicholas day (6th of December). However, those gifts did not last to the next December 6th . Sometimes, we played with them just for few days and they were broken and thrown away. I remember one day a childhood friend of mine asking why Saint Nicholas has to come only once a year with gifts, does he not know that the toys we receive do not last longer?, he asked. Years later, I met that childhood friend and we started talking about our childhood memories and then there was a sudden silence for few seconds. He then said, “You remember I did complain fifteen or sixteen years back about Saint Nicholas bringing gifts to us only once a year?” Yes, I remember that conversation, I replied. He continued, “We were looking for gifts that come and go while we had gifts that were renewed every morning by a faithful Saint Nicholas…” I was a bit lost and asking him to explain more on what he meant by gifts that were renewed every morning. My friend noted, “God has given us the gift of creativity to make our own toys, and we had the power to transform useless materials into useful toys…” Dear brothers and sisters, God has blessed us all with gifts but sometimes we envy the gifts we do not have while forgetting the gifts we already have. We feel like our gifts are not as important as the gifts other people have. Remember, all gifts are equally important, and it is God who gives us not for selfish ambitions but so that the name of God can be glorified through our work. When I am weak and my soul is weary, in those seasons of my life I am reminded of the apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…” These words inspire me, and I hope they inspire you as well during this season of human vulnerability. Remember in our weaknesses in face of the pandemic, Covid-19, God’s strength is made perfect. God’s strength is made perfect for us to look beyond past our own needs to think of those in our community, especially the most vulnerable ones. Friends, God creates us for a purpose and God gives us gifts and enough resources to carry God’s mission on earth. I am inviting us in this challenging time to remember that we are created for a purpose, God has called us for this moment to be the church that transcends the four walls of our building and carry the gospel of life, peace, and caring even through the mystery of technological advancements. Covid-19 has no power to contain the move of the spirit to reach out to people in new and creative ways. The question for us is, are we willing to allow God to use our gifts to uplift someone? Are we willing to let God use our resources to save someone’s life? Friends, are we open to trying a new thing in order to point other to the source of life, who is God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy spirit? Remember, there are no big and small gifts, more and less important gifts, all gifts are important and unique, and it is God who graciously gives all gifts for the sake of accomplishing the mission here on earth. To some is given the gift of wisdom, to others the gift of knowledge, and still to others the gift of healing, organization, or just to put a smile on someone who is having a tough day or the gift of caring for those who are isolated, those who experience loneliness. We are going through a challenging time where we need God and we need one another. No one is stronger enough to go through this challenging time by himself or herself. Let us use our gifts to help people around us as we go through this darkest valley. This is an invitation for to be good neighbors, humble and faithful servants with the gifts God has entrusted us with. Good and faithful servants are not those who do miraculous things but those who put their gifts to their accomplishment of a few things so that the name of God can be glorified as Matthew 25:21 reminds, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things…” My prayer is that when my journey on earth is done, the Lord will welcome me as a good and faithful servant. I believe that is what you want to hear from the Lord too when your journey on earth is done, “Well done good and faithful servant!” So dear good and faithful servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is a call to compassion through the various gifts given to us by the source of life, God. Let us not stay indoors to contemplate walls and sleep but as we stay indoors, let us use the tools we have to care for our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable members of our communities. It is time to use Facebook to encourage someone rather than disparaging others. It is time to tweet about others the way we wish them to tweet about us. Now more than ever before, social media can be used as tool to bring the love of God to people around us. And as the end of the week approaches, let us look around us and ask ourselves what have we done this week to keep ourselves safe and keep people around us safe? What can we do better to ensure that we are safe, and our neighbors are safe? Remember, dear good and faithful servants of God, it is not about how big one’s impact can be, rather it is about being faithful with the small things and gestures that we do to lighten the life of others during this time that matters the most. Well done, good and faithful servant for the work you are doing in keeping yourself and people around you safe.