The Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) today. It is also the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China. St. Thérèse was famous for her simplicity and her little ways. In sharp contrast, China shows off her might with great pomp and circumstance. St. Thérèse was mighty in her spirituality whereas China in her economy and military. St. Thérèse found great favour in God's sight. I pray that my mother country will also find favour in God.
Perhaps for those enlightened like Buddha and St. Thérèse, being child-like is their ultimate attainment. However, for most of us adults, in order to survive in the workplace, we have no choice but being street-wise. We rack our brains to avoid being cheated, being harmed; to contain losses and to gain advantages. We will perhaps stop when we have secured a certain status in which we don't care being cheated, being harmed; don't mind losses and being taken advantages of. By then, perhaps we have already been too tired of defending our interests or have already resigned to our destiny.
I am not trying to speak for those street-wise people or to defend their actions. I am just trying to be understanding because day in day out, we come in contact with many of them. A better understanding will enable us to reach out to each other.
I am not trying to speak for those street-wise people or to defend their actions. I am just trying to be understanding because day in day out, we come in contact with many of them. A better understanding will enable us to reach out to each other.
As a believer in God, we need not be aggressive because the Almighty God is with us. As a believer in God, we can afford to be child-like.
For thus says the LORD: Behold, I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall suck, you shall be carried upon her hip, and dandled upon her knees.
As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the LORD is with his
servants, and his indignation is against his enemies (Isaiah 66:12-14).
For thus says the LORD: Behold, I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall suck, you shall be carried upon her hip, and dandled upon her knees.
As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the LORD is with his
servants, and his indignation is against his enemies (Isaiah 66:12-14).
Many people in authority are not secure. They are anxious to work hard to impress others and to prove their worth, their ability. We cannot blame them because many people, especially those who gain no advantages from the authority, are watching and are eager to see them fall from grace.
They can be secure if God is their inner resources. If they want to please God, rather than men, life will be more fruitful and enjoyable.
I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord;
but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife (1 Corinthians 7:32-33).
Of course, I am quoting out of context. But the teaching is clear. If we are anxious about worldly affairs, we will live in anxieties. If we love God so much so that we are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, he will supply us with all the resources we need. St. Thérèse did it. Can't we do it?
They can be secure if God is their inner resources. If they want to please God, rather than men, life will be more fruitful and enjoyable.
I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord;
but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife (1 Corinthians 7:32-33).
Of course, I am quoting out of context. But the teaching is clear. If we are anxious about worldly affairs, we will live in anxieties. If we love God so much so that we are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, he will supply us with all the resources we need. St. Thérèse did it. Can't we do it?
Dear Lord, enkindle our love so that we will not lose focus of where our destiny lies. Your love will sustain us even when we resign to life. May our love of You grow day by day. Amen.
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