Through the Wilderness

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

dust to dust

Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent.




Today is Ash Wednesday.
People and things are transient.
My life too is transient.
God's love is eternal.

Today is Ash Wednesday.
God is merciful.
To find myself
I must lose myself in Him,
Be obedient to his will,
Be willing to take up my cross
and follow him.






Today is Ash Wednesday
I ask God for pardon.
Today is Ash Wednesday
I hear the Lord's call
"Come back to me with all your heart
Don't let fear keep us apart."
Today is Ash Wednesday
I continue my journey - home.

Today is Ash Wednesday
"Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return."

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Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Gethsemane

Wrote about my desert experience here, here and here. Talked about it to a very dear friend.

My friend wrote:
You know the "euphoria"? It's very easy to fall for the feeling of being with the Lord than being with the Lord... being with the Lord includes Gethsemane too. That's where it's toughest.

Thanks for putting me back on track, my dearest friend.

Indeed, I have to remind myself of the reality of my relationship with God - much like falling in love - the 'euphoria' is only momentary - perhaps sometimes even self-induced?; the plateaus - they stabilize the relationship; Gethsemane - that's the real part of loving coz that's when one actually carries the cross / the burden together with one's loved one. Ahhh but like you say - that's the toughest part. Still, if one stays faithful, as God is faithful (thru all the Gethsemanes) - then that love will shine thru for others to see?


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Monday, February 12, 2007

You will not thirst

Went to mass yesterday morning.Told God that about being in the desert and how far away I felt he was. When the mass ended, the words of the closing hymn hit me . It went something like this:
You shall be in the desert
But you will not thirst
You shall wander
But you will not be lost.
Be not afraid
I am with you.

Went home after mass and the very same evening I had some wonderful news! We are going to Lourdes again.
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Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8,11-13.
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation." Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.


The Commentary for today (Saint [Padre] Pio de Pietrelcina (1887-1968), Capuchin OP; GF 174; Ep 4,418 )
“Why does this age seek a sign?” - Believing even in darkness
The Holy Spirit tells us: Don’t let your mind succumb to temptation and sorrow, for joy of the heart is life for the soul. Sorrow is no good for anything and causes our spiritual death.

It happens sometimes that the darkness of trial overwhelms your soul’s heaven; but this darkness is light! Thanks to it, you believe even in darkness; the mind feels lost, it fears no longer being able to see, no longer understanding anything. But this is the moment when the Lord speaks and makes himself present to the soul; and the soul listens, understands and loves in the fear of God. So don’t wait for Tabor to “see” God when you are already contemplating him on Sinai.

Progress in the joy of a sincere heart that is wide open. And if it is impossible for you to keep that happiness, at least don’t lose courage and keep all your trust in God.


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