Lent Reflections Day 3 & 4

Day 3
First reading: Isaiah 58: 1-9
Psalm 51
Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

Isaiah speaks about the fasting that God demands.
We know that the season of Lent is a period of fasting and abstinence. 

So why are you fasting? In what way will this draw you to God?. In Isaiah God outlines what kind of fasting he requires. It involves sharing what we have with others. It is all about doing good to others in ways that you are able to. With this kind of fasting comes a promise. God will increase his blessings and healing and we can be certain of his mercy.

Personally, why am I fasting.
I chose to fast this lent, from the things that I felt were a hindrance in my faith journey. To gain freedom from the bad habits and addictions that I had developed over the years and to trust that God can help me overcome them.

I am fasting also because, I am asking God to help me in a project this coming month that I feel I need help with and that it is only by his strength in me that things can happen.

By fasting we are choosing to look up to God for our sustenance.

Prayer
Dear Lord, I offer my fast asking to uphold my plans. Trusting that you would take care of them. That my actions are led by your spirit and inspired by your word. I pray for all my those who are holding a fast as well to break away from various addictions, or those who hope to seek you in this time that they may find you.

Day 4
First reading: Isaiah 58: 9-14
Psalm 86: 1-6
Gospel: Luke 5: 27-32;

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" Lk 5: 32

This past week, I am reminded everyday of my daily struggles. What this season is doing is highlighting those areas of  my life that I really need to work on. I am encouraged that God sees it all and he is not here for the righteous but the sinner like me. Every time I fail, God is there helping me to overcome my struggles. Why? Because he is good, gracious and merciful.

When God is calling you to repentance, What must you do?

In the gospel, Jesus call Levi a sinner who leaves everything and follows him. We must also respond to the call and follow him.

Prayer
Dear Lord, I offer my fast asking to give me the courage to be able to leave everything behind and follow you. Help me to show mercy to others the same way you show mercy to me. 

Lent Reflections Day 3 & 4

Day 3
First reading: Isaiah 58: 1-9
Psalm 51
Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

Isaiah speaks about the fasting that God demands.
We know that the season of Lent is a period of fasting and abstinence. 

So why are you fasting? In what way will this draw you to God?. In Isaiah God outlines what kind of fasting he requires. It involves sharing what we have with others. It is all about doing good to others in ways that you are able to. With this kind of fasting comes a promise. God will increase his blessings and healing and we can be certain of his mercy.

Personally, why am I fasting.
I chose to fast this lent, from the things that I felt were a hindrance in my faith journey. To gain freedom from the bad habits and addictions that I had developed over the years and to trust that God can help me overcome them.

I am fasting also because, I am asking God to help me in a project this coming month that I feel I need help with and that it is only by his strength in me that things can happen.

By fasting we are choosing to look up to God for our sustenance.

Prayer
Dear Lord, I offer my fast asking to uphold my plans. Trusting that you would take care of them. That my actions are led by your spirit and inspired by your word. I pray for all my those who are holding a fast as well to break away from various addictions, or those who hope to seek you in this time that they may find you.

Day 4
First reading: Isaiah 58: 9-14
Psalm 86: 1-6
Gospel: Luke 5: 27-32;

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" Lk 5: 32

This past week, I am reminded everyday of my daily struggles. What this season is doing is highlighting those areas of  my life that I really need to work on. I am encouraged that God sees it all and he is not here for the righteous but the sinner like me. Every time I fail, God is there helping me to overcome my struggles. Why? Because he is good, gracious and merciful.

When God is calling you to repentance, What must you do?

In the gospel, Jesus call Levi a sinner who leaves everything and follows him. We must also respond to the call and follow him.

Prayer
Dear Lord, I offer my fast asking to give me the courage to be able to leave everything behind and follow you. Help me to show mercy to others the same way you show mercy to me. 

Lent Reflections Day 1 & 2

Written by Elizabeth Etta:

Day 1
First reading: Joel 2:12-18
Second reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Psalm 51
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

In Joel it says; return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful;  slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Look at where you are now and think of the things that are holding you back from giving your heart to God completely. What is the sin? At this start of lent, examine your heart and approach his throne of mercy. Repent wholeheartedly and see if your circumstances will not change and God himself will not bless you. Humble yourself before God. If there is someone you have not spoken to in a while. Call them, have a chat let them know you care.

Isn't it good to know that God is sovereign. In Mt 6, he warns us to examine the conditions of hearts. To seek his reward and not that of man. Whatever good deed you do, lift it to God in prayer. Even when you feel unappreciated, or your attempts at good works go unnoticed, God sees the intentions of your heart. Be diligent in the things you do and he himself will reward you.

Prayer: Lord, I offer up my fast today as a sign of my repentance and desire to seek you more wholeheartedly.  Amen


Day 2
First reading: Deuteronomy 30: 15-20
Psalm 1:1-4; 6
Gospel: Luke 9:22-25:

In Deuteronomy it says; "By loving God, heeding his voice and holding fast to him will mean life for you.

Psalm 1:2: The law of the Lord is their Joy. God's law they study day and night.
The lord watches over the way of the just but the way of the wicked leads to ruin

Finally in the gospel, the part that speaks to me is when Jesus says "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

The scriptures of today speak of the fact that for anyone who calls himself a Christian must be in tune with the spirit. We must open our hearts and ears to hear what it is God wants from us. Not only that God does not promise that the tasks he has called us to would be easy. Unforgiveness is not easy to let go of, Pride is not easy to let go of, Wealth is not easy to let go of. There are so many things that we are still holding on to. Yet this is another reminder that we must deny ourselves of the things that give us pleasure in order to follow Christ. We are warned already that it would not be easy. Why then should we still follow him? Why should we take on the cross. Dear Friends, the answer is simple, God did it first. The bible says that he loved the world so much that he gave of himself. He came as Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. An unjust suffering one may call it. It was the only way to defeat death and pay ransome for our sins. It was the ultimate act of love. So think of it this way. Every time, we carry our daily crosses difficult as they may be. By surrendering to the will of God, we are also lifting up others to the love and mercy of God. We are walking in the example of Christ. We are cleansing not just our spirits but those of others as well. Through reading scriptures, we are encouraged to obey the commandments of the Lord that we will be blessed.

Lent is a perfect season to journey with christ and join our suffering with his.
Lent allows us to lift our struggles and burdens to the one who has experienced it all.

Prayer: Lord I offer my fast today as a willingness to carry my cross. Lord I open my heart to let you show me ways in which I am failing and to rely on you to lift me up each time. This way I will trust and depend on you. Lord I offer my fast today that I may grow in humility and strength knowing that this is what you expect of me.

A scripture to reflect on

Written by Elizabeth Etta:

This past week, I have been reflecting on the words of scripture

Luke 4:18-21

“The spirit of the lord has been given to me

for he has anointed me

He has sent me to bring good news to the poor

TO proclaim liberty to captives

And to the blind new sight

to set the downtrodden free

and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour

He then rolled up the scroll gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And to all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them. This text is being filled today even as you listen…

 Acts 1:8

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses

Jesus was filled with the power of the holy spirit when he made this bold proclamation about his purpose before all the people in the synagogue. In order to realise what God’s purpose for our life is, we need the holy spirit. In Acts 1:8 the Holy Spirit was promised and then given and today like Christ, we now have received the power of the holy spirit to be his witnesses.

Our mission as spirit filled christian is to reveal God to others.

How we may ask? It can start by telling them about the good news. We are not to shy away from telling others about the saving power of Jesus Christ. Are there people in your life that you know will benefit from knowing Christ? Why not get to know them more and share the amazing knowledge that you have of the gospel with them.

We have the power to heal others through our words and by our actions. This could include outreach programs, alms giving, pastoral work etc.

The bible says that God’s word are spirit and life. When I read the words, “the text is being fulfilled today as you listen”.

It made me realise that the will of God for us is to have an abundant life here. A great life is possible as long as we trust in God’s words for us his children. When we trust God, even when things are not going as we or others think they should. We still have the confidence in knowing that our father will work to perfect us and bring every situation for the greater good of us and others.

The words of scripture that stood out to me was “to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.

In that statement, I see God’s promises of abundant kindness and grace for me this year. I boldly claim these year as a year of favour. His ability to help me fulfil the desires that he has put in my heart. One of the difficulties of trying to live according to God’s will is that you face opposition, disbelief, your own inner fears and doubt.

Despite the challenges, I feel I am beginning to identify more with Christ. As much as I would want to refuse any responsibility for my own personal reasons, I am reminded that God will grant me the graces I need. God’s year of favour is my opportunity to take on the challenges in order to grow in spirit and draw closer to him. I see it as God’s way of reaching out to others, through me if only I accept my cross and follow him so that in the end he is glorified.

The question, I put out to you now is; What context does the scripture apply to you today? How is it being fulfilled in your life; Are you letting God work through you?

Prayer

Lord we have received your Holy Spirit through our baptism, through declaration of our faith and through the hearing of your word. Help us to activate those gifts that we have received, in order that it may lead to the salvation of our souls and those of others for that is your will.

Amen

What is My Time?

by Elizabeth Etta

What is my time?

“There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace…

He has made everything beautiful in its time”.

ECCLESIASTES 3: 1-11

I came upon this scripture verse in my bible reflection time a week ago and went about trying  to understand why God led me to this verse and what He was trying to say in my life?

Life as we know it is always in season. There are times when we are happy, sad, fearful, conflicted, angry and other varying emotions depending on the circumstances we find ourselves in. If a situation is often difficult or unexpected, we find ourselves wondering where God is in those moments.

Ecclesiastes mentions a season. God allows seasons in our lives to achieve a greater purpose than we can imagine. This chapter draws me to examine the current seasons of my life and how I choose to respond to the experiences in it.

The time of waiting

In the time of waiting it teaches patience. As I experience longing and loneliness, this waiting season encourages me to seek a deeper intimacy with Christ, the One who is the lover of my soul. I also have a greater opportunity to fellowship with others and dedicate my time to doing what God has called me to do. So in my season of waiting, Lord, let it bring glory to You.

The time to build

God has put plans in my heart through the talent He has blessed me with to use to build His kingdom on earth. Lord, let me take on the challenge to build Your kingdom as You see fit.

A time to embrace

This season sees doors opening for me, and I am called to embrace the opportunities that God presents in front of me.

A time to laugh and dance

The past year till now, there has been a lot to celebrate. Nothing significant has happened to cause me grief. I feel like I am living in a state of grace where there are more things to laugh about. I have a great family and friends. In fact, I am thinking of doing more dancing this year.

A time to speak

It’s my time to speak. I’ve had my season of silence, but this year I feel that I am called to use my voice for a greater calling. To speak truth in the lives of others. To speak truth in the lives of my family and members of my church.

A time to Love

I am called to a greater love. One that is self-giving like Christ. To love even when I feel unappreciated. To love even when I feel unloved. In this time to love, I find that the areas in which God pointed out I needed to exercise love is by being;

  Less critical of others

  Not compromising in confusing lust with love

  Less selfish or taking those who love me for granted in the way I treat them or make them feel.

It’s sometimes difficult to see the bigger picture when you find yourself in an unexpected season. Perhaps your season looks a lot different to mine. Ecclesiastes reminds us that God is aware of the seasons we are in. We are placed in those seasons for a reason to discover our purpose, to live a richer life. In all seasons of your life, let God in. It is the only way to experience beauty in your season. It takes the difficult seasons in life to fully appreciate the beauty of a “fruitful season.” Whatever season you are in, be it good or bad remember that God is in control. He has made and will make everything beautiful in His time.

New Year Reflection

by Elizabeth Etta

 

 

As the new year's celebrations came to an end, I made the conscious choice to embrace 2016, with a new enthusiasm and determination that was somewhat lacking in the later half of 2015.

While I looked back on 2015, I felt my walk with God wavered greatly. Despite that, I could still reflect on the many ways in which God sustained and blessed me of which I am immensely grateful.
 

I had a lot of challenges in 2015 but there were also positives to take from. One of the things I was grateful for  in the past year was the fact that I was extremely healthy. I also accomplished certain things that I did not think I could. I gained a lot of self confidence that I felt had eroded in previous years due to certain circumstances.
 

It’s the start of the new year, and often times it is when we begin to make resolutions that would carry us through the entire year. I unfortunately never stick to mine and it often leaves me discouraged and disillusioned.
 

However I want to be able to look back on 2016 and feel the most accomplished I have ever been. The only way that it would be possible to feel that way, is in knowing that I am carrying out the will of the Father for my life. I need to gain clarity and perspective on the journey ahead. In order for that to be possible, I am starting afresh with God. I am not going to do the “new years resolution” that I have done in the past because I have had 100% failure throughout.
 

How I want this year to be different is that when I say, "I put my trust in God", I want to mean it in every possible way. I want every action and decision to reflect that. I want to do it all by his grace and mercy. I want to rely on God as my source of strength and not my own supposed ability. Every time I fail which I know would be a lot of times, I will choose not to dwell on the supposed failure, because I am more than my failures. I would choose to dwell on my strength instead of my weakness. My freedom rather than my guilt.
 

One of my favourite quotes that I will rely on for this year is Mt 6:33 which says “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added onto you”.
 

This to me sounds like a promise from God, to bless those who truly seek to bring his kingdom on earth. It is my great desire this year to make full use of the gifts that God has given me and see them come to fruition.
 

One of the many goals that I want to set for myself which I will hope to be kept accountable for are as follows:

1. To put in more time for prayer and scripture study daily.
2. To spend more time doing things beneficial to my health and well being such as exercising more often, better eating habits.
3. To blog regularly, this means once a week to be able to share some of the insights God has given me.
4. To volunteer at least once a month.
5. To use my talents in the arts

I have no clue what 2016 holds for me, but I know that every goal is possible through God’s grace that is sufficient for me.

Until the next blog stay tuned~~

 

 

 

The end of another year

At the end of each year I feel the need to write a message of reflection as there are many people who have crossed my path and been a part of ministry in St. Augustine’s Melbourne. It has been a while since my last post (I usually write a half year update and missed that) so there’s quite a few changes to share.

St. Augustine’s Young Adults (STAY)
As of half way through the year, I had transferred my leadership of STAY to Pat who had been an amazing leader of STAY cell group through the previous year. It was a move which was necessary more out of capacity rather desire/want to continue as leader. Aaron has continued to support Pat just as he has supported me in leading STAY so she won’t be alone in what is a daunting role/responsibility. I still feel like a leader in STAY despite not being in the position – I think it’s something that might be hard to move from as STAY is so much a part of me as I am a part of STAY.

In blunt honesty, the 2nd half of 2015 has been a struggle for STAY. The continuous level of growth and success of the ministry climaxing with “Redeemed” - a worship/dance/drama production of Stations of the Cross back in Easter left the group wanting and expecting more of God’s grace and power. Instead however, I felt participation slowly wane thereafter. STAY cell group did not grow in numbers as anticipated from the slow but steady flow of new people to the group. Consistency of attendance became more sporadic which made it difficult to build intimacy towards the STAY vision of creating a ‘Sanctuary’ for its members. I think the busyness of life for members and even leaders were taking a toll on STAY – this is also reflected in the numbers of recent posts on our blog...

Friends of Refugees (FORM)
I felt the fall in STAY participation most in the refugee outreach (FORM) which I have continued to lead. In the previous 2 years, STAY members were the backbone of volunteers in FORM visits to refugee families and more demandingly in Moving Days. STAY has however slowly become less of the backbone, with more than half the volunteers coming from outside STAY, from the parish, friends of friends and even Facebook. For such a large group of ~40 people in STAY, the small amount of support FORM received from them, made it feel like it wouldn’t be missed by STAY if it simply shut down and disappeared.

My words are however a discredit to the members from STAY who are actually regular volunteers and who I might have taken for granted at the start, expecting them to be there on a month by month basis or when it suited them. As much as I long for STAY members to be part of / help in outreach for refugees, God has amazingly provided us with sufficient volunteers to support the ministry even though at times it looked like we wouldn’t have enough.
We didn’t do anything new or vastly different, but this year we completed 8 sets of detention centre visits, home visits and Moving Days, the latter of which has grown bigger and better. We also ended the year with a Christmas hamper run to over 130 families, about double the number from the previous year.

This has encouraged a separate group of young Catholics to start a refugee outreach like FORM in the western suburbs. This group had helped with FORM visits/Moving Days prior and with delivering hampers. Another highlight was being able to gather past and present volunteers of FORM for a thank you lunch in August to celebrate 4 years of ministering to refugees.

Personally
I could not continue to lead both STAY and FORM, plus run my life as I had for the previous 3 years, with its larger size and complexities. It was a difficult choice on which one to let go. There are many key functions of FORM (mostly relationships with external stakeholders) that make it difficult to hand over responsibility/leadership to someone else and were probably the main drivers behind my decision to continue to lead FORM. There was also an ‘exodus’ of all the experienced FORM leaders due to their own personal commitments/circumstances which left me with the newer FORM leaders to run the outreach ministry.

It was a busy year and like the year before, I was feeling tired towards the end even though I just had FORM, and not STAY, to lead. Trying to support the other ministries in STAY when the need arose also simply added to the busyness. While it is a relief that the year is over, I was reminded by what I had heard a young priest say amidst the flurry of World Youth Day Sydney preparations several years ago: “that to build the Kindgom of God, we should be this busy outside WYD as well”.

Next year will be an even busier time for me as I plan my upcoming nuptials and as I transition to a new vocation of married life. It looks like my time as a Young Adults leader should change and I will be looking for a leader to take over FORM, preferably in the early part of the year. It makes me nervous to hand everything over as there appears to be intricate parts that are not so easily passed on. It is therefore likely that I will be there for support but with less leading.

Final Words
While I have not been so positive about STAY and its progress, on reflection it still continues to have an impact on all who attend. I can see it in how we pray over the people who have to leave Melbourne, in new members continuing to join the group and in the amount of new vocations taken up by its members such as in leadership, joining a ministry and in marriage. STAY is still like a big tree which has grown very big where the birds can come and rest in its branches and which continues to bear great fruit. Please pray with me that God will continue to bless STAY and all its ministries like FORM can help grow this tree so it can receive more new people (birds) and continue to succeed with love, peace and joy (bear fruit).

Wishing you a most blessed Christmas and a joyful new year.

In His love,

Jack

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!