Accept the unknown

Accept the unknown

In each startling experience weaves a new thread, revealing a different dimension of the eternal truth. The truth does not change. It remains an unchanging beacon amidst the tempests of our lives. But the truth is more than our first impression. But in new experiences, as startling as they may be, offer us a unique perspective, allowing us to see and understand the world in a new light. In this pilgrimage, we are reborn, not just as mere spectators but as empathetic sojourners, resilient warriors, and wise seekers of the hidden crevices of knowledge. They challenge our preconceived notions and push us to expand our understanding, making us more empathetic, resilient, and wise. So, when faced with the shock of the new or the unknown, remember that it’s an opportunity to deepen your grasp of the many facets of truth and life.

Don Giorgio

Thursday 25 January

Thursday 25 January

The Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Gospel – Mark 16:15-18
“Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation”. Today we are celebrating the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. This feast is a great feast of hope for each one of us. That it’s possible for us to convert cooperating to the grace of God which comes in different ways in our life. This conversion is vital to follow what Jesus commands. We need this conversion to go out to the whole world. We need this conversion to go out of ourselves to the whole world around. We need this conversion to proclaim the Good News. We need this conversion to proclaim the Good News and not the news which we like to proclaim. To have this conversion we must respond to the grace which comes to our life with the question, “What am I to do, Lord?”. Let’s reflect: We must convert by responding to the grace of God so that we can go out of ourselves to preach the Good News.

Wednesday 24 January

Wednesday 24 January

Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor
Gospel – John 15:9-17
“A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends”. Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis de Sales who said, “whoever wants to preach effectively must preach with love”. If St. Francis said this about preaching, it is true about every act in our life. Everything done with love is more effective. This is because when we do it with love, we are following the commandment of Jesus. And when we are following the commandment of Jesus, we are remaining in His love. When we remain in His love, it’s His power that’s acting. We become instrument of His love and that is why an act with love is more effective. And whether we are doing an act with love, can be tested by the fact that how much love we are putting in that act. From small amounts of love to total love where you give your life itself for the other. We always have the option how much to love. Let’s reflect: When we do anything with love for the other, we become instruments of God’s love.

Tuesday 23 January

Tuesday 23 January

Tuesday of week 3 in Ordinary Time
St Marianne Cope (1838 – 1918)
Gospel – Mark 3:31-35
“The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him”. This attitude of the Mother Mary and relatives of Jesus arriving to see Jesus, standing outside and sending a message asking for Him is really touching. They are not presumptuous. The wait out patiently and sending a message for Him. Arriving to see Jesus, Waiting to see Jesus, and Messaging to see Jesus. Many times we also face ourselves in this situation. We want answers, and we want solutions. We come to Jesus. But we forget to follow the example to Mother Mary. The example of Mother Mary to wait and to message. To wait for the answer. To ask for Jesus. It’s very important we know how to wait for the answer of the Lord for our requests and our questions. And the answer is what Jesus says. The answer is our relationship with the will of God. Let’s reflect. Our relationship with the will of God depends on my reaching out to Jesus, my waiting for Jesus, and my messaging to Jesus.

Monday 22 January

Monday 22 January

Monday of week 3 in Ordinary Time
Saint Vincent, Deacon, Martyr
Gospel-Mark 3:22-30
“Beelzebul is in him’ and, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.’” This accusation sounds so senseless. Yes, it’s because with this they are denying the existence of Holy Spirit who distributes the grace of God. The scribes who think of themselves as erudite group is really turning their back to the source of grace. They want to place the Evil Spirit in the place of the Holy Spirit. Their motive is that Jesus is not following their teachings. So, they want to manipulate the teaching of Jesus so much that they not only want to hide the light but even the source of light. That is why Jesus says that “but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness”. They cannot have forgiveness because they deny the source and willingly place another source. Let’s reflect: We must not deny the source of Grace in each situation for our personal motives.