In the gospel last Friday (and then again on Sunday) our Lord said: "Do not let your hearts be troubled; trust in God and trust in me. In my Father's house there are many rooms. Otherwise I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I will come back again and take you to me, so that where I am, you also may be..." (John 14:1-3)
"Trust in me... I go to prepare a place for you... I will come back again and take you to me... where I am, you may also be..."
How could the creator of everything in this whole wide universe also be so personal in the way He communicates to us? Here is the Lord of all, giving the "speck of dust" in His hand so much importance and reassurance. Only Infinite Love can be that way!
Dear Lord, the fullness of your words still escapes my comprehension.
Pass It Onby Kurt Kaiser It only takes a spark to get a fire going, And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing; That's how it is with God's Love, Once you've experienced it, You spread the love to everyone You want to pass it on. What a wondrous time is spring, When all the tress are budding The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming; That's how it is with God's love, Once you've experienced it. You want to sing, it's fresh like spring, You want to pass it on. I wish for you my friend This happiness that I've found; You can depend on God It matters not where you're bound, I'll shout it from the mountain top I want the world to know The Lord of love has come to me I want to pass it on.Someone once shared, "Your love for the Lord will last, but the beautiful feeling might not. So enjoy and relish it while you can. It's grace God gives so we will know Him more intimately and serve Him more generously." From the freshness of God's love springs forth our own love for Him! And as this happens, He gives us the grace to relish it and the desire to pass it on.
Mhay-Mhay is the youngest girl in her family of six. Two years ago, when she was ten years old, her father abandoned the family, and Mhay-Mhay was forced to stop her schooling. She began to sell sampaguita in the streets to help the family have food to eat. Soon after, she practically lived in the streets and began actively engaging in smoking and rugby sniffing, just like so many other street children. In a matter of time, her mother fell ill and died of tuberculosis. Mhay-Mhay was then brought to a temporary shelter. Last month, she visited her home, but only to find out the sad news that her two older sisters whom she used to turn to for emotional support, were now nowhere to be found. She misses her mother and her sisters very much.In a recent role play session in therapy, Mhay-Mhay chose the role of the "bunso" in the family. While the other kids gathered around an ailing mother, she kept to a corner and pretended to play a piano. She did this all throughout the role play, never uttering a word but just quietly playing the imaginary piano. Later on, she explained that she purposely chose this action because when her mother was alive, she had wanted so badly to give joy to her mother through music, hoping to ease her mother's pain and take her mind away from her illness. "Para po malibang yung Nanay ko, tumutugtog po ako." As she said this, tears streamed down her cheeks. Oh Mhay-Mhay, what a genuinely caring heart you have within you! Despite all the bleakness and roughness you were exposed to in your young life, you wanted so badly to make your mother happy. You knew how to give her love,and you tried to give it to her in a special way when she was very sick.Imagine what this girl could potentially be in the future, if the goodness in this heart of hers is nourished within a caring environment. If only all the children in the streets could be given a chance to live within an environment that respects their right and need to be loved and looked after. How much good can surely spring forth from within them!
The start of summer always feels like the turning of the pages of a book into a new chapter, especially as another school year ends. The words of the song "Sunrise, Sunset" in the movie "Fiddler on the Roof" remind us to treasure the special blessings of the children's growing years. These are years more precious than gold.
"Dearest Lord, we thank you no end, for the gift of their lives unfolding. Please continue to bless them always!"SUNRISE, SUNSET
Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play? I don't remember growing older When did they? When did she get to be a beauty? When did he get to be so tall? Wasn't it yesterday When they were small? Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset Swiftly flow the days Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers Blossoming even as we gaze Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset Swiftly fly the years One season following another Laden with happiness and tears
