The Purpose

"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Ten years ago, I confided to my journal the reflection below. Ten years after, I am amazed as to how things things have turned out. I now have a teaching ministry in my parish. Ten years ago, I saw it as a tiny speck in the future horizon. God is faithful.

God knows the best for me. He has seen the whole pattern of the weaving of my life. He has seen the finished product. He will make a strategic match between my:

• Purpose
  
• Personality
  
• Position (environment)
  

1. What is my purpose? To learn and to communicate.

Sources of learning:

• Mass
  
• Prayer
  
• WOG
  
• Promised Land Scriptures
  
• Christian Radio
  
• TBN
  
• Teaching
  

2. Personality: Jesus Christ describes Himself as the Truth, the Way and the Life. Who am I? A friend and companion of Jesus.

3. Position: Tx-06, STM, SFJ

I trust God to arrange the very best for me.

Remain in my love

"I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love." (John 15: 9)

Lord Jesus, you do not need to tell me today to remain in your love. This is exactly what I want to do and where I want to be. What I want you to tell me is how to remain in your love. I know you love me dearly. Your intense love for me remains a mystery. I have come to accept it. I want to enjoy your love. Spoil me with your love.

But Lord, how do I respond to your love?

Signs and Wonders

"The entire assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had worked through them among the gentiles." (Acts 15: 12)

God confirms the mission to the gentiles through signs and wonders. Every genuine ministry is confirmed by God through signs. My ministry of teaching is confirmed through such signs as attraction to the ministry of teaching, love of learning, lavish provision of books and materials that I need to fulfill the ministry. Occasional words of appreciation from those I minister to. God never tells you in advance how He plans to support your ministry. But the scripture encourages us to pray to see the hope He has reserves for those who serve Him. Without this encouragement from God, ministry might be difficult to undertake and persevere in. Just as through the Sacrament of Marriage, Christ empowers the married to live the sometimes difficult circumstances of the married state, so Jesus does for anybody called to a ministry.

Prepare yourself for trials

"My son, when you come to serve the Lord, stand in justice and fear, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, incline your ear and receive the word of understanding, undisturbed in time of adversity. Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not; thus will you be wise in all your ways. Accept whatever befalls you, when sorrowful, be steadfast, and in crushing misfortune be patient; For in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and God will help you; trust in him and he will direct your way; keep his fear and grow old therein." (Sirach 2: 1 – 6)

The above scripture is part of the powerful first reading on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday 2009. I prayed to the Holy Spirit to carve these words in my mind and heart. I ask Him to text me the above words as and when I need them. To undergo a trial and know what is happening is a plus. To go through adversity and not realize what is happening is fraught with dangers. Danger of discouragement, despair and quitting prematurely. Below is the Responsorial Psalm to the above scripture from Psalm 37.

"Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.| Take delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart's requests.

The Lord watches over the lives of the wholehearted; their inheritance lasts forever.| They are not put to shame in an evil time; | in days of famine they have plenty.

Turn from evil and do good, that you may abide forever; | For the Lord loves what is right, and forsakes not his faithful ones.

The salvation of the just is from the Lord; | he is their refuge in time of distress.| And the Lord helps them and delivers them;| he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." (From Psalm 37)

If you do your part, be sure that God is doing His part for He is faithful.

Courage of Perseverance

"Father, in your love you have brought us from evil to good and from misery to happiness. Through your blessings, give the courage of perseverance to those you have called and justified by faith…." (Prayer at Mass)

Thank you dearest Father for bringing me from evil to good and from misery to happiness. How different my life is today from what it was when I did not know or accept your plan for my life. You brought me from AJSUA to SFJ. You freed me from ZAN and showed me the joy of living in your plan. Thank you. Give me the courage to persevere in the good life your plan has called me to. Amen!

Restore us

"Lord, restore us by these Easter mysteries. May the continuing work of our Redeemer bring us eternal joy…" (Prayer at Mass)

We need restoration from the wear and tear of everyday life. As we experience delays, disappointments and obstacles, our faith is challenged. We come to the altar of the word and the Eucharist to be nourished and restored.