Love Journal Revisited

Looking back the events of the last  months, I have come to realize how I've been carried on eagles' wings of love and prayer by many people.
In the early hours of 16 April, I  woke up reluctantly due  to kind neighnours banging on my door, to the smell of smoke rising from downstairs filling the bedrooms upstairs. In a daze I took ten steps to open the nearest window.
To my astonishment, l saw the vehicles of the Police, the Ambulance and the Fire Brigade was just arriving and onlookers  standing down there on the street all gazing up. Still not aware of the gravity of what was going on, I waved to a Police officer and inquired from him what was the problem. He answered that there is fire in the building - downstairs and asked me to stay put. Fire in the building- downstairs?  I heard it but it did not register well..... 'downstairs' did not click to mean my sitting room  but the shop downstairs and so I waited at the window and  within 10 minutes I climbed through that small window into a fire brigade crane. While being lowered down,  I saw to my horror that the fire was rather raging through my sitting room. I could not believe what I was seeing and was taken straight to the hospital for a check up.
Two hours later 2 police officers came to the hospital to brief me of the situation and to warn me of what to expect,  bringing me  new  temporal padlock keys.
With friends who responded immediately to the news I was not on my own to face this disaster.
Then slowly but surely it began to dawn on me that it's not a dream or a horror film I was watching.  I could not find any answers but a lot questions,  not how, what caused the fire but why didn't l go downstairs? ,  why on waking up from the bed did I  go straight and  got glued to that window waiting to be rescued?
I shall never be able to find answers to these after thoughts except to conclude that I was protected by a force beyond me. I  climbed through that window with nothing except the pyjamas I woke up with.  If I had wanted my phone or slippers, bag or  whatever,  then I would have gone downstairs,  then I would have seen that it was my sitting room that was on fire and only God knows why my mind just went blank when I was told that there was fire downstairs. It would have been a different story......who can guess? ......

I'm not able to describe my gratefulness to God for choosing to exalt himself by rescuing me  from that raging fire.  the depth,  breath and length of God's love is beyond my feeble mind. I cannot fathom yet why God took such pity on me......All Glory be to Him. I'm equally grateful for the Peters,  Josephines,  Desmonds, Victorias who walked with me through the ashes  together with the countless known/ unknown who carried me in prayers,  all of which have brought me so far........ I am equally overwhelmed by the love and kindness of my daughter, Irene, and all the strangers that in the meantime have become good friends,   that the Lord  has brought into my life.

One thing is sure,  God is faithful,  his love is beyond our imagination,  He is near, very near........his Words are true........ now I know only partially,  but one day, I'll understand fully, when this veil is removed....

All I need to do is abide in His amazing love ......One day at a time........ on this love journey...... till we meet face to face.....

Love Journal Revisited
The Lenten per iod of 40 days leading to Easter period of 50 days  is an amazing period of becoming more aware of our need of our need of God  and to experience anew his unconditional love.  During the Lenten period I identified myself with the return of the prodigal son.... I realised how far I am from home and recognizing my loneliness away from home made me felt homesick....... the desire to return to a loving embrace increased........ but I found myself too tired to undertake this long  journey all by  myself as I'm too weak to make it on my own......So  I cried out : I'm coming home Lord,  but I can't make the journey on my own so please meet me half way.... come to my aid..... come and be my strength....... come and walk with me...... I yearn to return but realised my own incapability....................
Then I realized that is what Lent is about.......Jesus coming to our aid  to  reconcile us  to the Father...... through the Cross.........Just as Moses lifted up the brazen serpent ... so will the Son of Man be lifted up so that all who will believe will have eternal life..................

Life... a race or a journey?
If life was a race, how many will be winners?  ......if it were a race, majority of us will not have any chance of winning. But if life, on the other hand,  is a journey... then it should be lived and experienced. On this journey there needs  be  no losers since we are all on this purposeful journey towards the same destination. To enjoy this journey fully its good, often, to take time to reflect, ponder or meditate on the purpose of this journey; why are we  here for.... what is the purpose of this journey and what are some of the the lessons of this journey........?
 It will be good to take time and pause and learn from others and nature is a good help........... look at the birds........look at the flowers....... and look at the ants.........watch the sunrise and the sunsets.........listen to the sound of the wind and feel the wind on your face........These are some of the very simple things we encounter every day  that we take for granted
When we begin to live life as a journey, then the goal becomes more important than the means.......concern for the other breaks down barriers........ taking time to appreciate what you have brings gratefulness, contentment, and shairing  with those in need .........value of people above value of things..........Discovering the purpose of life, brings one in touch with the source of life.......the Creator of all things and who holds all things in His hands.......
If your life is a race then you are probably running too fast to achieve./ acquire  whatever .... but at whose expense? ......Remember, what does it matter to gain the whole world and loose your soul?........all the running for this outer shell only?........The body provides shelter for the soul during this life but at the end of this short life, (even if it reaches 100) the soul is released to its Maker and Lord...........for judgement......... and then what?.... The soul is the treasure we hold in this earthen vessel..... and we have only one soul to nurture first and then others along the way. .......Therefore let your soul yearns for it's Maker ......the soul that is made in the image and likeness of God thirsts for its Maker.... "As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you,  O God.
My being thirsts for God, the living God" .......It's only God that can satisfy the yearnings and quench the thirst of  the soul; and fills the heart with praise to be able to join  the Psalmist, to  sing  always:
Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God,..(Psalm 103)
Bless the Lord O my Soul....... my soul Bless the Lord indeed, ..for merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, abounding in kindness....Let's remember the higher  purpose of this journey. by taking care of our fellow travellers along the way......to safely reach our Father's House......... where there are many rooms

Daddy, where are you?
Daddy where are you?.... why has your little girl become  suddenly anxious  ?...... why has she become afraid?   .......afraid of the future   uncertain of her left from her right? ........where are you daddy?............ why  does she doubt your faithfulness?   why does she feel alone and abandoned,.... unsure of your ever presence,..... even to the end of time?........... Daddy where are you?. Why has the darkness become so dark enveloping her? ..........Oh,  there you are, ....

Yes my child, why have you become anxious? .... why do you doubt....... why have you taken your eyes off me? ......I have never left your side.....with outstretched hands I take hold of  your  feeble  hands......... together we will  walk side by side........

Oh Daddy calm her fears, ....... deliver her  from unnecessary anxieties........renew her confidence in you that she may trust you more than ever...........be her refuge and let her hide under your wings during the storms of  life........deliver her from her fears........ Daddy do not hide your face from her.............. you alone be her provider.......lead her through the various cycles of life.........for you are the Lord of the seasons............the Alpha and Omega.......the beginning and the end and everything in between.........one day at a time.......lead her  steadily along the path home

Abba Father, thank you for bringing her thus far, let her dwell in your light........ in your light may she see light, ......for those who walk in light do not stumble........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..

True Peace
Peace, peace, peace...... where can we find true peace? ... Why has so many 'Peace Attempts' failed in resolving issues between warring factions?...... Is world peace an illusion? ..The key to true peace begins with self...... attaining true peace should begin with me........ Living in peace with self and each other is an echo of the famous Prayer of St Francis of Assisi who was one of the many  great imitators of the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was Jesus who taught us how to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, feed the hungry, clothe the naked.....who though he was God did not cling to his Divinity but emptied himself and took on the nature of slave even unto death, death on a cross though sinless. He demonstrated forgiveness on his deathbed - the cross, as he prayed for those who crucified him .... Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing........He came and gave his life as a ransom for many....... by His death we have all been saved .......whether we accept  or believe that Jesus is our Saviour....You and I have been bought at a Price !.

Subsequently, we can dare to pray as Jesus taught us through His life and death.............
Lord make us an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow your love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is darkness, light
Where there is sadness, joy
Oh Divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;/
To be loved, as to love; For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying tat we are born to eternal life.

If these become rooted in our lives then we can each become an agent of Peace, ...starting with the self. Each day ask yourself how can I be an agent of peace today  in my home, at work, in my Church community, in my neighbourhood?, and look for opportunities to be such an agent. .

We cannot talk about peace in a vacuum and no gun can bring a lasting peace. Peace needs to begin in the heart of each individual, then there will be no strangers but friends not yet met..............no enemies but brothers and sisters because Jesus our big Brother, through His death and resurrection has reconciled us with God our Father. In his farewell Discourses, He gave us a.o.: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your let your hearts be troubled or afraid........... (Jh 14: 37)

True peace is not the absence of war but the ability to sleep through the storm.... the ability to remain focused in the midst of chaos......... the ability to hope and trust in the face of despair........ the ability to love the enemy who hates you........Since the Peace of God surpasses every understanding that is why Jesus, the Prince of Peace,  is the key to True lasting Peace  through each person starting with self, to the world.  ....the world in which you and I live. .... Each person therefore,  is a gateway to peace........ and since peace is a gift from God, each one of us has the seed of peace ingrained in  our hearts,... germinating/growing slowly.... depending on how it is nourished..........  Hate, anger, jealousy, unforgiveness........ can choke it's growth... while love, joy, patience, kindness,   ...... can enhance its growth.

Therefore let us allow the True Peace of Christ to flourish ,,,,,, in our hearts....... flowing like a river.... flowing out of you and me..... flowing out into the desert, setting the captives free...... Let it flow through me.... let it flow through you ..... let the peace of God flow out through us.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..

Taking Stock
Seventy years may seem a long way, but compared to eternity it's only a flash in the pan. Ps. 90: 4 "a thousand years in your eyes are merely yesterday"..... so what is 70 or 80 for the strong ones? Yet, it's good to take a peep at how the years have quickly passed and and the 70 milestone is a good  occasion. So what do you look  back to see?..... Not to the regrets or the disappointments......  for thee mistakes  only remain as such, if the inherit lesson(s) is never learned. So I look back to the wonderful things that God by His grace has done ....for His goodness and mercies have no end.....His amazing love is incomprehensible.....God's grace leading me into ministry........ the last decade has been the most fruitful of my spiritual journey...... With gratefulness, I acknowledge  the many beautiful God children I have come to mother....... pastoral school formations..........uncountable hours preparing and celebrating liturgies.......and an amazing new faith family that has come my way. These are memories that have enriched not only my life but the life of the community in which I serve. I'm grateful for His abundant love that has brought me so far and will continue to lead me...... for what do I have that I have not received on loan? ... what do I know that I have not been taught and what can I do on my own if not by His grace.....?

I believe the best is yet to come so I will not dwell long in the past. Even though I can't look into the future, I know that His love and mercy towards each one of us, is unchanging so I will continue to trust him in whatever new plans he has, for I know that his plans for me are good. He will not deny me for his own sake. If He has led me so far, will he now abandon me? He has prepared a table for me............... my cup is running over......... and his goodness and mercy shall continue to follow me all the days of my life...

Any word of caution? speaking out loud; I'm learning to live one day at a time..... allowing  the Lord to take the lead, for by total surrender he leads in ways never imagined.......study and live the Word..... let the Word of God find room in your heart ...... spend time at his feet........ and discover who you are  ... a child of God  and He the creator of heaven and earth is your Daddy............so can he give stone when we ask for bread?....No, He will give the necessary grace to lead us into knowing and loving Him and the Lord Jesus whom He sent to save us..... Appreciate and acknowledge His goodness and never cease to count the many blessings poured into your lap......Let the world know of His unconditional love towards the sinner.......for He is nature is love.........

We are all on this journey.. .. pilgrims travelling together,.... needing each other on the way. ... falling and getting up till we reach the final destination. We are all fighting the good fight ..... but remember only those who persevere till the end will receive the crown. Therefore let's not rest on our oars because we  don't know the hour or the time....The day may be far spent but there is still work to be done.....continuing to bear fruit even in old age so let's use our God-given talents wisely for His glory.......staying awake in prayer.....In the 'Banana Republic' the old usually go first but in real life..... each one of us is on a countdown. ...

God himself is the Lord of life... the Alpha and the Omega .... and everything in between. Celebrating life is recognizing and appreciating the gift, given on loan......It is sacred and therefore need to be used  wisely for we have to give an account very soon ........ even 100  years passes quickly away

What we have seen and heard
A lot has happened these last days as the Christian world celebrated Easter and Scripture Readings during these days focus on witnessing to what have been seen and heard. On the first day of Easter morning, Mary Magdalene and the women who went to the tomb were sent to the Apostles to report to them what they has seen and heard from the risen Lord.(Mt. 28: 1-10). The same evening 2 of the disciples, disappointed with the events of the Crucifixion. death and burial of Jesus (left Jerusalem on their way to Emmaus,....when Jesus caught up with them they could not recognize him because of their great sorrow. On reaching their destination they invited this stranger who explained the Scriptures to them on the way to stay with them for the night..... and then their eyes were opened as they recognized Jesus at table when He prayed and broke bread with them. Immediately they got up to return to Jerusalem the same night, to tell the others what they have seen and heard from the Risen Lord.( Lk. 24: 12-35)
Witnessing to Christ is giving testimony to what have been seen and heard from the Lord. 2000 years later we today, through the power of the Holy Spirit continue and or called to give testimony of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Like Peter and others we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. For we are witnesses of the Holy Spirit burning in our hearts.   Blessed  are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear.......many prophets longed to see what you see but did not see it, and hear what you hear but did not hear it.... (Mt. 13: 16-17)
How then do we see.....and how do we listen? are we seeing though do not see, hearing yet do not hear or understand? This is possible today just like Issaiah prophesied long ago: these people hear but never understand, ever seeing but never perceiving for their  heart has become calloused. They hardly hear with their ears and they have closed their eyes... otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn to the Lord to be healed....What we see and hear from the Lord need to be told to others....... Our hearts need to be filled with a burning passion to share with others what we have seen and heard from the Risen Lord. It cannot be contained, cannot remain a secret for a privileged few.... it is the Good News!......Jesus the Christ is Risen!....He is alive!.... He goes before us and .we see and touch Him at every Eucharistic celebration, there we hear his Words..... He stands at the door and knocks...... He desires to come into each heart and make your life a celebration if only you will open your heart for him to  enter.......