Let us concentrate on two aspects of this day as we celebrate this Mass; true peace based on trust for each other and erasing the negativities of life.
True peace based on trust: we know from the scriptures that after the resurrection Christ appeared to his disciples in their own situations and greeted them with utmost love for them, 'peace be with you'. This is the true peace that Christ came to share with his disciples. Scriptures says the disciples were so afraid, confused, terrified, anxious and more importantly the future was so foggy they locked themselves in the upper room for they thought the Romans will capture them and kill them like they killed their master Jesus Christ. It is in this ambience that Christ stands among them. He stands among to breathe into them his breath so that their fear can be driven away, they may have clarity from confusion, they can be courageous, they can be sure and that Jesus might open their hearts to see the future more clearly; the future is the way, truth, and life. That's the moment disciples' hearts were opened and were they burning with gods love and trust.
Do we have some similarities as we look around us? Do we feel our society too is in the same situation as the disciples when their master is executed? Are we frightened; are we afraid as to what will happen to us next moment? Are we confused as to how we will live tomorrow? Are we terrified when we hear what's happening in our society? Are we anxious about our life tomorrow? More importantly, has our future of the society is foggy and blurry? Let us cast ourselves at the feet of God, feet of Jesus who will not abandon us at this time because he will most certainly meet us where we are now. He will meet us in our confusion, fear, anxiety, terror and uncertainty of the future. Our God will take care of because scripture says, we are worth more than million sparrows and the lilies of the field.
Pope John 23 reminds us in his encyclical, pacem em terris, that Jesus Christ is the author of peace (a. 117), the Prince of Peace (a. 167) who brings us peace and leaves us peace (a. 170), and he reminds everyone that there can be no peace among people unless there is peace within each one of them (a. 165). Let us ask for that peace; the peace in each and every citizen in this country and let that peace might be emanate to reach out to every citizen irrespective of who you are and which ethnic background you are from.
Erasing the negativities of life: when Rebekha, Jacob's wife was in labour to deliver a child, she was in great pain and she decides to name the child Benoi which means son of my pains because Rebeckha dies in the labour pain. When the attendants tell Jacob that mother has named the child as Benoi, he couldn't continue calling that child son of my sorrows rather he names him Benjamin means son of my strength. Jacob erases the negative name that Rebekha had given.
Negativities of life can engulf our whole energy and time. Sometimes we can be so negative that we can make our lives miserable and everyone's life miserable. When I chat or council problematic person or couples the significant aspect affects them is their past life. How they lived this past life or how they were bad. Or at times they are bullied by their people that they are good for nothing. Winston Churchill failed 6 grade and his teachers told him that he is no good and not a bright student. Brothers and sisters Churchill goes on to become the celebrated prime minister in the history of Britain.
As students or as teachers you might going through the same so you have hope that you might be celebrated prime minster (smile). Don't allow your worth to be judged by someone else, if you do that you will be worthless. But you know who you are and you know what you are past is, hence do what is pleasing to God. Cast out all the negativities that society poses to you, cast out in to the deep all the negativities and you be judge for yourself. Let no one control your emotions and let no one tell you what to do because you are the master of yourself. Your guide is only God for scripture says, I am the only good shepherd and I will lead you to green pastures and I will anoint with the cooling oil.
Sisters and brothers as Bishop Francis Alleye, bishop of Georgetown says, let us greet this elections 2015 with shalom that is with peace. The peace that Christ wants to share with us. Let ask God to give us wisdom to take erase our negativities of life and society.
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