Today 18th January 2014, we have had our first recollection of the year 2014. It was in our sister community in Karen.
It have been animated by sister Stella. Here is the text.
“Were your faith the size of a
mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree be uprooted and planted in
the sea, and it would obey you”(Luke 17:6)
It is traditionally held that Jesus said these
words to his disciples when he was about to send them out in their mission.
It is easy to
get discouraged and frightened when you know that you are small unprepared flock,
with no particular talents, faced with a great crowd of people to whom you must
carry the truth of the gospel. It is easy to lose heart because you realize
that you are facing people whose interests are entirely different from the
kingdom of God. It seems an impossible task .It is then that Jesus assures his
disciples that by faith they will “uproot”
the indifference and apathy of the world .If they have faith nothing will be
impossible for them. At times when we are faced with difficulties we might be
tempted to turn away from God. Human logic says “GIVE UP’: it” no use anyway It is then Jesus exhorts us not to be discouraged,
but turn to God with trust. In one way or the other he will answer us.
FROM DON ORIONE (24-6-1937)
v I felt that then it was my
duty –it was a need – not only to remember the gift that God gave me, infusing
me with faith but also to dwell, even briefly or in an in complete manner on
the faith and to give thanks together for it to the lord as this would also
help your spirit, since the faith is not only the fundamental theological
divine virtue but it is also for us religious- and even more for us sons of
divine providence. A son of divine
providence then means a son of the
faith. We will never be true sons of divine providence without a life that is
wholly and trust in God.Having finished chapter x saying that the just man
will attain the life of faith, St Paul goes on with a profound thought to
define faith and the whole of chapter xi he sings of the faith of the elders
and the life of the ancient fathers. And then he begins faith is the substance of what is hoped for and a proof of things not
seen.” It is through faith” he tells us” that we realize that the centuries
were created by the word of God”.Therfore it is only faith that the work of the creator of the universe
becomes an obvious fact. “from what was visible things have come through faith,through
the virtue of faith ,Abel offered God a sacrifice that was more worthy than
Cain and God bore witness to his gift and still speaks long after his death (Gen
4:1-24). And here the apostle adds
“without faith is impossible to become acceptable to God” through faith Noah
went to get the ark ready (Gen 5). Through
faith Abraham obeyed moving to a country that he was an inheritance and he went without knowing where he was
going (Gen 12).
v Through faith Isaac gave the greatest blessing of good things come, through faith Jacob blessed each of
the sons of Joseph from his death-bed (Gen 48)
v Through faith Joseph approaching his end recalled the
departure of the sons of Israel (Gen 49)
v Through faith Moses and
the chosen people crossed the red sea as if it were dry.
v Through faith the walls of
Jericho collapsed.
This, oh sons of divine
providence is the faith of our fathers .These are our examples, our models!
They are our brothers of faith and charity .If we can not live faith and charity,
of what can we live?
And how can we
dare still call ourselves sons of divine providence if we do not live faith
which is lived by the just man of that great faith which when
necessary moves the mountain?
In the light of the word
Biblical text Mt 5:8
Mk9:22
GEN
22:1-8
COMMUNITY SHARING
What strikes you in this
reflection and words of Don Orione?
PERSONAL REFLECTION
What is your commitment on
this day of recollection for this month especially on your FAITH AS A SDP?
GOD alone can give faith
But you can give your
witness.
GOD alone can give hope
But you can give others
confidence
GOD alone can give love
But you can teach others
to love
GOD alone can give peace
But you can bring unity
GOD alone can do the impossible BUT you can do
the POSIBLE…
No comments:
Post a Comment