tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383995.post4250477885665581857..comments2024-03-22T04:12:44.008+08:00Comments on Breaking the Word: Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383995.post-81120381177408720532012-07-29T20:37:26.105+08:002012-07-29T20:37:26.105+08:00Dear Fr. Chris
This homily on God's Mercy and...Dear Fr. Chris<br /><br />This homily on God's Mercy and Ignatius's story resonate vividly with me, a very similar personal account that I just overcome.<br /><br />Unwittingly, I had boarded a wrong train and wrong bus at some point, it was only until the bus or train turn in to the opposite direction, or the radio broadcast the next station that I realised - I have boarded wrongly. Of course, at that time, it was either I was too tired or deep in thoughts. What do I do.. I was frustrated but didn't grumbled loudly, just lamented on my own stupidity. Luckily, the wrong train or bus did not go too far from where I boarded, so I still managed to reach my destination on time.<br /><br />At one stage of my life, I was like Ignatius, but not to the extend of achieving the vanities rather too stressed up by working life that I wanted to find other extreme activities to counter-react. Over the years, through hard work and acquiring the necessary knowledge and practices, I managed to acquire a recognition in that arena, however, gradually, I realized that despite the recognition (almost internationally), I could not find the sort of peace and happiness that I wanted. After all, all those material possessions and recognition were short lived, it was through the recent LISS that I got Awakened. It was like what Paul said, "I am the foremost of the sinners, but I received mercy..". It was through the daily Gospels that I received, and pondered, reflect and reflect, and with tremendous help from a Good Samaritan that I woke up from this deep sleep.<br /><br />In Matthew 4:4, when the tempter said to Jesus, "If you are Son of the God, tell these stones to turn into loaves", and Jesus replied, "Men don't live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.". Every Gospel is God's living word to save us/me from the bad/evil. And, I am very grateful that I have opened myself and willing to listen to Him, letting go of those short lived, materialistic possessions despite my friends' sarcastic remarks, and followed Him. 2 Cor 12:10 - .. For it is when I am weak that I am strong. I was weak for a long time, however, I am glad that I found this strength through the Gospels and power of Holy Spirit to pull out. A friend once told me, "All Saints have a past, and all Sinners have a future." I always remember this as it is a beautiful encouragement. And today, I am very surprised that I am able to link up some similarities in this homily to my own. <br /><br />It was through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that I received the Gift of Courage and Wisdom to make this move and change, thus leading me to a New Life. I am hopeful to give this testimony to soften those people who are still unwilling to open themselves up to accept Our Heavenly Father's Salvation, I know that the time to convince them will be long, but I am hopeful that one day, they will turn their hearts towards God, as God is Love and Merciful. In Psalm 103:15 - 18:<br /><br />Man lasts no longer than grass,<br />no longer than a wild flower he lives,<br />one gust of wind, and he is gone,<br />never to be seen there again;<br /><br />yet God's love for those who fear Him<br />lasts from all eternity and forever,<br />like His goodness to their children's children,<br />as long as they keep his covenant<br />and remember to obey His precepts.<br /><br />PeaceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383995.post-45595350144709239462012-07-29T11:18:29.227+08:002012-07-29T11:18:29.227+08:00"God writes straight with crooked lines, and ..."God writes straight with crooked lines, and sends asses to teach us to be wise." - Margaret Silf<br /><br />How very true many times!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com