CONVERSATION WITH GOD

God : Hello. Did you call me?

Me: Called you? No.. Who is this?

God : This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.

Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.

God : What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.

Me: Don’t know. But I cant find free time. Life has become hectic. It’s rush hour all the time.

God : Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.

Me: I understand. But I still can’t figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God : Well I wanted to resolve your! Fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

God : Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: why are we then constantly unhappy?

God : Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday.You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That’s why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

God : Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.

GOSPEL READING TODAY - JOHN 15:18-21 (The World's Hate)

18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me.

Love Need Not Be Fancy - By: Fr. Joel Jason

NBA superstar Michael Jordan was once asked why he always spends some time talking to the kids waiting for him after every Chicago Bulls game. He replied, “It doesn’t take much energy for me to talk to them but it does mean much for the kids.” He does not really give them anything, and the children may not really want anything from him, except his presence and time. Jesus’ admonition in the Gospel today (John 15:9-11) may seem daunting, “Love one another as I have loved you.” When we survey the Gospels, we see an image of Jesus who always had time for the people. Everywhere He went, people immediately recognized Him. Some wanted to be healed, some wanted to be cleansed. But some merely wanted to be inspired by His mere presence and attention. And Jesus never frustrates them. He was always available to them, listening to them, being attentive to them. Sometimes we shy away from people, thinking that we do not have anything to give them. We say, “I cannot solve his problem anyway, so why would I bother to listen to him?” Many opportunities for healing are wasted by this mentality. As a seminarian, I was assigned to a hospital. I had this fear of approaching and talking to the patients, thinking that I could not solve their problems anyway. But soon I found out that most patients do not really expect me to solve their problems. All they want is to feel that someone shares their fears and apprehensions. Most of the time, all they expect is a warm smile, an encouraging word, a gentle tap on the shoulder, or a listening ear. Listening and being present to others may not demand much from us but it can mean a lot for those who need it. We cannot be healers like the Lord Jesus but we can all heal the internal pains and hurts of people around us by our gentle smile, our attentiveness, our compassion, our willingness to listen. Today let us think of the persons who may be hurting right now and, like the Lord, let us yearn to heal them by our compassionate presence and attentiveness.

John 14:1-6- Gospel Reading Today (Comfort for Trouble Hearts)

1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. 4 Where I am going you know the way.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Think: Is any one of us crazy enough to resist the call of faith even unto death?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, watch with us over your children Jen & her baby and grant that they may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give. Relieve their pain, guard them from all danger, restore to them your gifts of gladness and strength, and raise them up to a life of service to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.