Tag Archives: relationships

WHOM DO YOU TRUST?

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Thursday 26th November – Thursday of week 34 of the year

Reflection: Daniel 6: 12-28

WHOM DO YOU TRUST?

None of us is self-sufficient, able to cater for all his own needs – physical, social, psychological, spiritual etc. God has created us with a need for interdependence. We all look to others to supply our needs in one way or the other. Such interdependence builds on a measure of trust without which our relationships cannot function. A child trusts the parents to provide his material needs, a parent trusts his child to put his best into his studies and uphold the family name through good behaviour. A wife trusts her husband to provide the family needs and the husband trusts his wife to manage family resources effectively to ensure smooth home running.

Yet we humans are very fallible and sometimes even our purest intentions can be foiled. Daniel could have placed his trust in the king, knowing that the king had no intention of hurting him but the first reading reveals that even the kings’ hands seemed to have been somewhat  tied and for all his good intentions, he could not prevent Daniel from being thrown to the lions. Beloved, so it is with us. If we do not place our trust in the ever faithful God, we will be faced with disappointment and frustration as we journey through life.

Only our trust in God will keep us faithful to him like Daniel was even in the face of persecution. Only our trust in God will keep us obedient to him in the choices we make when the whole world is going the wrong way. Beloved, God is our only sure anchor; our only sure hope who cannot be influenced by human limitations. Let your trust in Him be manifest in your total obedience to him as you make your daily choices and even though trials may come, like Daniel, you will experience His mighty power to save.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you because you are ever faithful. Please help me to trust you with the details of my life and find peace in obeying you always. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 470 – What prompts a person to pray?

We pray because we are full of an infinite longing and God has created us men for himself: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you” (St Augustine). But we pray also because we need to; Mother Teresa says, “Because I cannot rely on myself, I rely on him, twenty-four hours a day.”

HIDE A TREASURE: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” Psalm 125:1 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Daniel 6: 12-28; Dan 3: 68-74 (canticle); Lk 21: 20-28

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EMMANUEL

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Wednesday 13th May – Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima

Reflection: Acts 17: 15, 22 – 18:1

EMMANUEL

“Yet He is not far from each one of us, for ‘in him we live and move and have our being”’

Acts 17: 27-28

Human relationships thrive on personal contact. We grow close to those with whom we live and work and without efforts to maintain good communication, our love and friendship can grow cold when we are physically distant from each other. The name “Emmanuel” which means “God is with us” was given through the prophet Isaiah as he foretold the virgin birth of Christ (Is 7:14; Mt 1: 22-23). Indeed through the incarnation, God came to dwell amongst us men. He came to relate with us humans so as to build intimacy with us and raise us up to Himself.

Dear friend, even today, several centuries after Jesus’ ascension, God is not far from us. He seeks to encounter you and I right where we are and through our everyday circumstances. He is in our midst in the poor and needy and dwells amongst us in a special way in the Eucharist.

Are there times you are lonely, helpless or confused? Does the world around you seem to be falling apart? God reminds you today that He is neither far from you nor oblivious of your difficulties. He seeks to step into your situation if you permit Him. Like St Paul told the people of Athens in today’s reading, He is closer to you than you can imagine. Turn to Him in prayer today and tell Him your concerns and difficulties. Ask for His direction as you make important decisions because God is indeed very close. He is truly Emmanuel – God is with us.

PRAYER: Thank you dear Father for your ever abiding presence. Please help me to stay close to you so I can be transformed by your grace. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 470 – What prompts a person to pray?

We pray because we are full of an infinite longing and God has created us men for himself: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you” (St. Augustine). But we pray also because we need to; Mother Teresa says, “Because I cannot rely on myself, I rely on him, twenty-four hours a day.”

 HIDE A TREASURE: “Behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” Matthew 28:20 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Acts 17: 15, 22 – 18:1; Psalm 148: 1-2, 11-14; John 16: 12-15