Reflection for last Sunday, 5 July 2015

by Shirley

 

 

As I was sitting at St Mary's listening to the readings, 2 things struck me.. The first is in the 2nd reading when Paul said that while he prayed and begged the Lord that the "thorn in his flesh" be removed from him but God replies, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." Paul then says he will rather boast gladly of his weakness, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with him, "for when I am weak, then I am strong".

 

It made me think of how our world defines a strong person and a weak person. Very often the aggressor is seen as the strong person whereas the victim is weak. This made me think of what happened when we were watching Minions the other day, when this man who was seated with his wife and kids started turning on the flashlight on his mobile phone 2-3 times, and then this other man with his girlfriend shouted very angrily from across the cinema, "Hey you! Turn that off!" and his girlfriend piped up, "It's very distracting you know!". The Asian couple looked like civilised, working professionals. We were shocked because you could clearly hear the rage in their voices and it is a kids' movie, any normal person would expect distractions in the cinema. The couple probably thought that they are the strong ones, because they voiced out their opinion but my immediate thought when that happened was, my, how ugly they sound, what happened to make them react that way? As for the father who complied and turned off his flashlight, maybe he's the stronger one now for not choosing to pick a fight in front of his family. Aggressors often act that way because that is the only way they know of to solve their problem, or they need to do that in order to feel big about themselves. Having the grace to look like a coward and know when to walk away from a fight reveals more inner strength than choosing to stay and fight.

 

So the reading made me think of being strong in weakness. It doesn't mean that when a person is seen as weak, they do not have strength in them. Circumstances, maturity and time may reveal how much stronger the weak person is and in fact how weak a seemingly strong person actually is. 

 

The 2nd thing that spoke to me was in the gospel, about how when Jesus was in his native place, his own people doubted him and because of their lack of faith, he was not able to perform any mighty deed there. He was present there and yet he was not able to perform many miracles. God could be present in our lives but because we still lack faith, He will not be able to help us. It made me think of my own life, while I believe in God, I still lack faith that my prayers will be answered, and I think I'm unworthy to receive certain blessings. It made me realise that this lack of faith is stopping God from performing miracles in my life. I used to think that I'll just let God lead my life, whatever happens, happens. But that's not true, I need to lead my own life, I need to tell God in prayer, this are my needs, this is how I want my life to be, God by your grace, please answer my prayers, I have faith. I need to believe that I am His child, that I am worthy of His gifts, and that I need to have more faith in Him because He only wants the best for His children. Like the woman who had faith and believed that as long as she touched Jesus' garment, she will be healed, and that faith saved and healed her.

 

 

What I Learnt from the Refugees

by Budi S (Vincent)

 

 

I have put it off for so long to write my experience in visiting the refugees, but a nudge in my heart always encouraged me to do it. I know I owe it to Him who has been so good and faithful to me. I started refugee visits around 12 months ago infrequently and did not have any expectations that I would learn anything. To my surprise, I learnt a few interesting “life” lessons because I rarely reflect and I took life for granted. I never realised that my life was and has been so good to me. Most of the time, I only look up and compare my life to those on the top. I forget there are a lot of less fortunate people who envy me and are willing to do anything to swap their positions with mine.

 

I had some wonderful lessons from my experience. Firstly, I learnt how to be grateful and to be content with “whatever” my condition is at the moment. Most of the time when I visit the refugees, they are still able to smile and they don't consider themselves as in the worst case condition. They offer me a cup of tea and the little sweets they have. If they are able to do it, certainly we can do more than that. Even if you are considered as the poor in this developed country, we can lend our shoulder and ear to them. This is not going to cost us an arm and a leg.

 

Furthermore, have you realised how long they have to wait in the detention centres? Some have 3 or more years in waiting season without being able to work or study. I cannot imagine being in wait and not being able to do anything. For me, it feels like wasting time. Living in this instantaneous age skews our perception of what common life is. We forget there is a season for everything. It is a reminder for me every time I feel impatient, such as being stuck in the traffic or waiting for a job promotion.

 

Lastly, I learnt a valuable lesson of how to be persistent and determined in life. I learnt this down the road after meeting more refugees. Few of them are highly educated and from middle socio economic strata, yet they are willing to let go of everything they own and come to a new country for their sons'/daughters' better future. These are selfless parents and good role models. For them, their hardship is not the end of the world. Isn’t this spirit what we are striving for? What do you do at this stage of your life? Is it something worthwhile?

 

Well my friends, I hope these sharing is valuable to you and I do not mean to teach or criticise, but to encourage you in everything you do. Each of us has only one life and do not take your life for granted. I know the topic of refugees is hard to comprehend for everyone, but this is the bright side I learnt from. There is a silver lining in every cloud. God bless!