Looks like everyday is passing even faster and more than always, I feel that I am unprepared. I have been trying new things in school, taking a business module, going for workshops and trying my best to prepare myself to transit into the working world soon. I know that I also need to focus on my studies and to put faith that I am able to see the weeks through. I keep telling myself to never lose my inner peace which is to be in communion with Jesus even when everything around me is crumbling or going awry.
The gospel begins by saying,“Jesus said to his disciples: Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:17-37).”(shorter version)
It is difficult to follow the commandments which is the truth and sometimes we find ourselves asking,”Why does the Church have so many rules and regulations?” It is so troublesome to follow and there are so many stages to go through. But do we not realise that our country has so many rules and regulations too? We still abide by them because they differentiate from right and wrong. Similarly, we abide by the commandments not out of fear but to know that obeying them will lead us to the right path.
To choose the right path means to reconcile with God. The easiest and yet challenging way is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is the easiest because it is within the Church and starts before mass.However, it is the hardest because we feel that we are ashamed or unworthy to face Jesus. Our doubts and stubbornness cloud our judgement and we always put it off.
The first step is to pray about the our state of mind in trusting that Jesus will help us reconcile and make peace. Remember the feeling when the priest absolves us from our sins? Or the feeling when we come out of the room? The feelings of joy and relief of being forgiven is the meaning of reconciling with God. It is to know that we have hurt Jesus by turning to sin and that he is always merciful and loves us no matter what we have done. But we need to repent so that we can be renewed to continue to carry out his good work.
It is heartening to see people queuing up to go into the confessional because it shows that they are willing to take that first step and that they have acknowledged that they need the grace of God for healing and forgiveness. More so, to be loved and to know that even though they are lost, they can be found again. Only Jesus can bring us back from the depths of sin and that he always loves us.
I know that it is not easy to seek reconciliation because we carry emotional baggages with us that weighs us down. Jesus only asks for a sincere and repentful heart to receive him again and he will give us freedom, peace and joy that the world cannot give. What is the choice that we will choose?
May we continue to pray for Pope Francis’ intentions for the Month of February,“That all those who are afflicted,especially the poor, refugees, and marginalized, may find welcome and comfort in our communities.”
Dear Jesus, walk beside me especially when the going gets tough and when I feel alone in facing the huge amount of pressure from things that I must complete ,such as assignments and tasks. Help me to better divide my energy and time to fulfill your will and more so to follow your will in always trusting and praying. Amen.
Written By: Darren Chan Keng Leong
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