|
Dear friends
If we lived in Spain, this Sunday would be the traditional day of giving presents to our family as enacted today with the three wise kings offering their gifts to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. The Epiphany is the feast that ends the Christmas season and the word means “manifestation”. The awakening to all the world that Jesus is born to be saviour of all peoples and every nation. Jesus has given the gift of Himself to everyone. With Him comes peace and true consolation. In fact, Jesus inspires us to give of ourselves to all we live among and to be people of peace. Perhaps the greatest gift we can give of ourselves is to be patient. This is the most important aspect of love. To be patient. When we are patient with ourselves, we are more able to be patient with others. It is a sign of genuine love when a person forgets herself and gives time for others. Time is God’s gift to us, to grow in patience and thereby deepen our awareness of the other and of God. We all need patience, to practice prayer and real listening to others. Patience in order to heal and grow. Just reflect upon the patience of a mother and father toward their little child. The patience of nature and the silent growth that accompanies such a virtue. Any good achievement requires patience, especially in our spiritual lives. Boniface Wimmer wrote in 1856 “one should be careful not to lose patience. Though one sows in tears, he shall reap in joy. Only let the seed be sown and the plant will not fail to appear, even if it is slow to sprout and slow to ripen”. The three king’s travelled far distances following the star that led them to Bethlehem. Our lives are the same. We search for God, we have to overcome obstacles as the kings did, yet the light, the star, the presence of Jesus is strong and gives us the courage to keep going. We will attain what we search for, true happiness, true peace, found in Jesus, who lights up our heart, our home and gently, through patience, leads us to joy. May this New Year help us to begin again, through patience, to find true meaning in our Christian life. Following the words of Teresa of Avila is a great start.... “Let nothing trouble you, Let nothing frighten you All things are passing, God never changes Patience obtains all things. He / She who possesses God lacks nothing God alone suffices”. God love you and a Happy New Year Fr. Frank
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories |
RSS Feed