WHEN THE WORLD SAYS "GIVE UP," HOPE WHISPERS, "TRY ONE MORE TIME." (Author Unknown)

Will I ever consider my life is going just the way I had planned it? Am I getting too old to still believe I can accept risks and face personal trials to aspire to achieve for deeply felt dreams in my heart? Well, one thing is for sure - life never gets easier. It is challenging regardless of whichever phase of life or age we are at!

There have been many times I have had people tell me that I am lucky because I do not have to work in the secular world and face all the pressure and challenges of trying to be successful and still living for Christ. I guess looking at those of us who serve as volunteers in a mission, it might seem we are living a life without problems, trials and personal struggles. Yet having worked for 16 years in the corporate world before serving voluntarily now in a mission for over 9 years, neither is easier than the other. Each has its distinct challenges!

While on holiday these past two weeks, I realized two friends in different parts of the world going through very difficult "dark nights of the soul". I really felt it in my heart for them for I know what I go through in my life too. Both my friends are loving, generous and doing their best to faithfully live for Christ in the different Call God has given them. There are moments we question what we have chosen to do in our lives as we try to discern and live God's Will in our life.

I do not think we can ever give a "correct" answer to anyone  - just as I know no one can give an answer to me so that my life and my ministry will be smooth and secure and devoid of anxieties and fears. Why is this so? After much soul-searching, I know going through this "dark nights of the soul" is a way Jesus strengthens and purify  our love to do His Will. The plan God has for me can never be bad for me-or for you! Yet, it is NEVER easy to persevere in our struggles, face the disappointments we will have to undergo and even of the times we know we fail miserably in living the way God wants us to. For some reason, I forget the wonderful moments of joy and peace God has blessed me in my chosen path. Then the question will arise - can I totally dedicate my life to serving Christ? 

My Mum taken last Sunday!

Well, I have been with my mother these past two weeks. It has reminded me how her life has gone through many unplanned and difficult changes/challenges. Yet now in her early eighties, my mother is filled with inner peace. It makes me wonder if I could ever attain this "peace" my Mum has in her life. She has always - even now - firmly believes God is looking after her and her family as long as she places her trust and believes in Jesus' Providence. She is a person who always has Hope in God even when she was an orphan in her early teens and faced many struggles along with my late father in providing a good education for my seven siblings and me. I believe that is why my Mum still has the special peace when we look at her despite the ailments she face due to her age. Only God can give us this blessed inner peace.

I came on this holiday having many things on my mind - a number of it due to questions some close family and friends have in their love and concern for me have asked me of my future over the past few years. Well, one thing I can freely admit...my mind and heart can have such contrasting convictions. The logic of the world and the promise of material security I should aspire for especially for  my "retirement years" cannot be ignored. Yet, so far, I have not yet felt the deep prompting in my heart for God's Call for me to do something different as per His Will in my life. How will I ever know what is God's Will in my life? I was just listening to a talk by our priest director which really touched my heart deeply. Fr. Augustine asked, "How do I know what is best for me? How will I know what is the right plan for my life? I need to wait upon God for that is how God makes us mature in our faith." Father reminded us that is why St. Paul in Romans Chapter 5 says, '"Waiting and suffering will lead us to endurance; endurance to character; character to hope' - a Hope that will never disappoint us!" 

I see the truth of this Promise of the Word of God in my mother. I cannot ignore what I see with my own eyes - I believe it is a clear case of God showing me I NEED to trust in Him with a deep faith that is forged by pain, trials, struggles, joy and zeal. I have seen it on the faces of some of my parents' friends too of a similar age and many others around the world in the golden years of their life. They are just ordinary people - not famous or doing great things as perceived by the world. Yet they are the powerful, shining "Lights of Christ" in our world. If we take  the time to slow down and really take  good look at the people Jesus has put in our lives, we know that there are these special people in our workplace, our missions, our families, our church and in our communities. They are the ones who will be there for us to lift us up - to never give up and to share the beautiful Hope of Jesus to try ONE more time, whatever it takes, to live for Jesus every day of our life

The touching YouTube music video, "THE WORDS I WOULD SAY" by the SIDEWALK PROPHETS spoke to my heart. I hope it does to each of you too!

COURAGE IS AN INNER RESOLUTION TO GO FORWARD DESPITE OBSTACLES – Martin Luther King Jr

What is courage? Is it a gift that is given to just a few people? If not, then what does it take to live a life of courage? Well, unwavering courage has been something I have been pondering about these past few months. Perhaps, it is because as I pray about God’s Call in my life, I feel at times inadequate for what I know deep within is the insistent mission tasks God seems to ask of me! 

To be conscious to always do God’s Will is by itself a great life lesson in living with courage. I have definitely found it is much easier to live according to my human will – as then I just have to think about my own needs and expectations. But I have realized one very important truth – if I am a Christian, then I must ALWAYS live my life with courage! Not just once in a while but with a deep conviction in my heart at all times.

“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what Is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.” (Romans 12:2) – how often I have read this Word of God but it just in this past few weeks that it has really penetrated and taken root in my heart.

I have to admit that regardless of serving fulltime in a mission, I am guilty of going through periods when I get doubts in my mind. My heart’s conviction is always constant – yet my mind seems to get planted with questions that disturb my inner peace. It usually happens just as I am focussing on some new ministry projects. When I look back, I wonder why I get this “anxiety” periods knowing that in all the previous instances, Our Lord has never forsaken me when I say “Yes” to the personal mission undertaking He asks of me.  I realize it is my human self-will when I do not want to face difficult hardships and obstacles that suddenly sprout and tire me out just as I am all set on beginning my new mission projects. How nice it would be for once to engage in mission work with no sufferings! That is the paradox! Here I am seeking to live for Christ with all my heart, my mind and my soul - the Suffering Christ – but I want to do so with minimal suffering if possible. I can really understand why it is my heart needs a daily ongoing conversion!

To be a Christian is to be a person of courage. Jesus exemplified courage from the time He was born on earth in very austere, difficult circumstances in a stable right up to His violent and humiliating death on the Cross which He accepted from His Father’s Hands for the salvation of ALL our souls. Ever since, the Cross will forever be a sign of the Glory and Victory of Jesus winning Eternal Life for all mankind over death and sin.

To be a Christian means I must have persistence and perseverance in always doing God’s Will with a heart filled with His Hope and Joy. I was reminded in my personal meditations recently by this Word of God, “…Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.” (Romans 12:11-12)  Recently, when I was seeking some spiritual guidance from a priest, he encouraged me to listen and to answer God’s Call with total faith. The priest shared that God always provides with His bountiful abundance – I need not worry of all the obstacles and disappointments that keep piling up. I should praise and glorify Jesus as I go forth with total commitment for these sufferings and obstacles will be turned into Glory for God!

Indeed, when we do His Will, we can be absolutely certain of God’s Providence as per His Promise to each of us – you and me, “Where does my help come from? My help will come from the LORD who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2) This is a Promise of God I cling on to in my ministry here in India. Very often, I do not know how to achieve a mission task and it is always in my prayers that I get the inner peace and conviction of heart by the clear inspirations from the Holy Spirit…of what I should do and how to do it. No matter how difficult the project, Jesus has always blessed the results beyond my human expectations. I know beyond a doubt it has nothing to do with my human abilities but of the Grace of God in reaching out to me as I call upon His Divine assistance to answer His Call.

So what is courage? Courage, I believe, is to have the faith to readily answer God’s Call despite our fear that we may fall short of God’s expectations because of lack of resources – human, time, money or experience. It is to dare to say “Yes” to Jesus and put our complete faith and hope in Him.

Yesterday, I came upon this quotation that I had written down a few years ago:

Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles;
Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances.
Courage breeds creativity; Cowardice represses fear and is mastered by it.
Cowardice asks the question, is it safe?
Expediency ask the question, is it politic?
Vanity asks the question, is it popular?
But conscience ask the question, is it right? And there comes a time when 
we must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular,
 but one must take it because it is right.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

How apt that I am reminded of this quotation now! Martin Luther King Jr. is an inspiration to millions of people around the world – and the truth of his words resounds deeply in my heart and mind once again.

Unwavering courage is something each of us can freely obtain from God. How? We need to truly thirst and seek for the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds and lives. All we need to look at are the Apostles who were fearful and frightened until Pentecost when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. From then on, they were totally transformed to proclaim and live for Christ until they willingly died for Him. The apostles prayed for courage – “And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness. Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant, Jesus.” When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31) They no longer had any fear and nothing was impossible in the Name of Jesus!

Most of all, we  need only to look to Mother Mary – who as a young virgin, with the knowledge that she would be stoned to death if found pregnant out of wedlock, answered God’s Call to her to be the Mother of Jesus. Mother Mary’s response was, “Here am I, your handmaid, Lord. Let it be done to me according to your will.” (Luke 1:38) She did so every moment of her life.

It is my prayer for God’s Holy Spirit to fill each of our lives completely with His Power!

I hope you will be uplifted as I was by the YouTube music video COURAGEOUS by Casting Crown at the top of this post!

MY PARENTS' LEGACY...THE VALUE OF THEIR LOVE

I have been thinking of my parents a great deal this past few weeks. Parents are probably God's greatest gift to us for they are the ones who have loved us from the moment we came into this world. Whenever, I see the parents of a newborn child, I see that indescribable love and joy just illuminating their whole face and being! It always makes me realize how beautiful the gift of life is - how it must be protected and treasured. I often wonder whether the dreams and aspirations my parents had in their lives as a newly married couple were fulfilled in their 56 years of marriage. I believe God surely did so from the quiet joy and peace they have had in their golden years!

Nowadays, we do not see big families - most families I know have only about 2 or 3 children. My parents had 8 children! The funny coincidence was that in our church, there were quite a number of families whose parents were my parents' contemporaries  - all having 8 children too. Hence, all of us grew knowing each other as toddlers and as schoolmates! I recently met a childhood friend overseas after nearly 30 years - and both our hearts were filled with so much joy recalling our parents and childhood memories.

What is the value of our parents' love? As I was growing up, I took it for granted. I guess I thought everyone would always love me the way my parents did! Well, needless to say, I learnt over the years that our parents' love is as close to the "unconditional love" of God that we will ever experience. Yet God's Love is incomparable because He loves every SINGLE person whom He created with an UNCONDITIONAL love. "I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you." (Jeremiah 31:3)  I often think how I used to take my parents' love for granted in my younger days - yet their love was the one CONSTANT I could count on - they were always there to support me, to encourage me and to believe in me as I grew up to face life's challenges - most of all they loved me enough to let me go and find my destiny in this world.  

I am not a parent. However, I think to be one must definitely be really difficult. Imagine to nurture each child from a foetus in the mother's womb, to a tiny fragile, helpless newborn baby, to an inquisitive and active child, on to a "self-occupied" teenager and then to see the child become an adult and leading a separate life often far away from home! In my family, seven of us went on to study overseas and as such, once our high school days were over, most of us never went back to live in our hometown or near our parents. We were all living away from each other too. The nucleus of our family were our parents. We used to call our parents and it is from them we knew about each other's lives! It was through my parents that our family bond was kept intact. Our family home was the one place that brought us back to our hometown because that is where our most beloved parents lived!

My father was a person who sacrificed his life for my mother and his 8 children. He was not a rich man but I never remember ever growing up wanting something and not getting it. He was a very hardworking, responsible and upfront person. It is from him that I learnt that integrity was priceless. 

My mother was the "disciplinarian" in our family. I remember getting spanked by her when my younger sister and I got into mischief as we invariably did. She was the one made sure we studied, did our school work, household chores and so forth. More than any person in my life, it is my mother who instilled in me the self-confidence that I could achieve anything if I really wanted to in my heart. It was also from her I learnt to have a love for reading and to learn and try new things. I remember we  learnt about vitamins and health supplements even as children as my Mum would be stuffing us with all these things that she had read about. Some of it was definitely not what I wanted to take and I remember asking all my classmates and no one was having to do so - but that made no difference to my Mum! Years and years later, i am seeing many things that she ensured for us is being touted as the way to bring up children in a healthy way. She was definitely an "innovator" Mum!     

What did we learn from both of them? I know for me I learnt to share and care for  others - obviously since I am from a big family! But it was more than that. My parents were very charitable people but they did not speak about it. It was only when I brought my parents for a visit to their birthplace in India in 1996, that I first learnt of the immense financial help my parents had done to help our relatives in India and even in Singapore! I was astounded hearing  all that from my relatives who I was meeting for the first time! But they were also the same back home to anyone in need. If there is any persons from whom I have learnt much of Jesus' command, "Love one another as I love you"  (John 15:12), it is from my parents. They also always taught us by example to stay true to one's conscience and not to conform and take the easy way out. We had to have the courage to stand up and speak out when needed for what is right in God's eyes.

Both of my parents had difficult and challenging childhoods. My dad's father died when he was very, very young and my Mum was an orphan in her early teens during the Japanese Occupation in Malaysia. Perhaps that is why they were absolutely determined that their children would have the best of everything that they could give us. My father never spent on himself but he made sure my Mum had whatever she wanted for our home and for all his children's needs. In his later years, he would often lovingly chide us his children because we often got him new shirts, perfumes and other personal items which he never spent on himself. We would  tease him that he was looking really "cool" even in his eighties!

Yet the MOST important gift my parents ever instilled in me is FAITH in Jesus. Even as we flew the nest to study overseas, my parents would always remind us to pray. It required tremendous sacrifice on my parents' part to spend their entire life savings for our studies. I remember many of my parents' relatives and friends telling my dad not to send the daughters overseas as "they would get married and it is a waste of your money and how will you both live if you have no savings?" Well, I was the first daughter who was about to go! I overheard my father reply without hesitating - "Whatever our sons get, we will also give to my daughters. To us, they are the same. God will look after us in our old age even if our children will not. We put our trust in God." My Mum who was the one who wanted each of us to study well and be successful has the same deep faith in Jesus. I remember even to this very day how as a teenager then, I felt my heart would explode with love for my parents. I have never forgotten  what I heard all those years ago - and I have tried my best to ensure my parents knew their love for their children was not in vain. I know it is also very much so with all my siblings.

No matter where all of us were, we were never alone. Our parents prayers and faith in Jesus meant Jesus was always with us! Not because we were praying. I know I actually stopped attending Sunday masses for a few years and only did so for Holy Week, Christmas and New Year. And I only really remembered God prior to my exam times.  Yet, whenever we went home, we would still have to say the family prayers every night! My Mum would always leave Catholic spirituality books by my bed as she knew I always  read  while in bed. Whenever I called home, my mother would be asking if I was going to church and if I was praying and she would talk about Jesus! I remember rolling my eyes at the other end and trying to change the topic but all our calls were like that...my Mum reminding me that  both of them were praying for all their children every day to be good and to be protected by Jesus. Well, Jesus was very faithful to my parents too for He really answered all their prayers. "Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:12) It is they who first planted the seed of faith in me. 

Like my Mum, my father also had an incredible devotion to Mother Mary and even when he was becoming frail in health, before he passed away at the age of 85, he would attend daily Holy Mass, pray the Holy Rosary a few times a day on his own, the Divine Mercy chaplet and many other of his daily prayers including the Litany to the Saints.  

My mother is also in her eighties now and her prayer life has not diminished with age at all! I truly miss her because I do not get the chance to be with her as I did before. In many ways, it has not been the same since my father passed away - our family home has been sold and my Mum no longer lives in our hometown. As such, now there is even fewer opportunities for the rest of us meet her and each other too. 

My parents visiting me in India in December 2005.

It is why every one of us need to treasure our parents - God's greatest gift of love to us - who in turn gives us the greatest legacy - the gift of faith in Jesus! It is through their faith in Jesus that they can let us go knowing that every child of theirs will never be alone - for Jesus is with us!

For those of you who live close to your parents, never miss any opportunity to be with them. Their love is irreplaceable and parents' love can never be duplicated by anyone else in our lives. Only God loves us more!  

Today is the 6th Anniversary of my father's return to his Heavenly home. I truly miss him  - the special love of a loving father who did his human best to exemplify the love of our Heavenly Father. It is a bittersweet day to remember because it is also my birthday. 

A close friend posted this song below, "YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE" by the Point of Grace band on Facebook two days ago when I was really missing my parents' presence. When I heard the song, it brought back many beautiful memories of my life and how much  my parents mean to me. Most of all, I thank God for the gift of my parents - for in their simple loving lives, they have truly shown me that faith and trust in Jesus is crucial...and prayer is essential to stay connected to God!

PAPA & MUMMY...I LOVE YOU! 

GOD’S DIVINE GIFT TO ME- WHAT FAITH CAN DO...

I am a “night owl” – according to my Mum even as a baby! She always put it down to the fact that I was born at 3.00 a.m. (well, 3.05 a.m. according to my birth certificate). So at around 3.30 a.m. yesterday, I was still up and in my office working. Then it struck me again - on 18 June (today!), it will be my 9^th anniversary of serving fulltime in Divine Retreat Centre! Feeling quite incredulous that I have been here so long in India, I actually looked into the mirror of my compact powder, pinched my left cheek and stared at my reflection. I asked myself. “Do you know what you are doing with your life?”. I just stared at my reflection and then began smiling. As I celebrate my 9^th “Divine” Anniversary, I know ONE thing for sure.  My life has been beyond what I could ever imagine before. I have not just had a God-encounter once but now a life filled with God-experiences…through all the joyful, grieving, difficult, frustrating and exciting circumstances of my 9 years in Divine

God is still teaching me on a daily basis to put Him first – not my feelings or my personal desires but for what is good for the mission He planned for me. I know how true this Promise of the Word of God has been in my life – “For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul,” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

What have I learnt here in these 9 years in Divine? I have learnt how my faith in God is definitely much, much tinier than a mustard seed – it Is microscopic. Well, otherwise, I will be doing miracles like moving mountains.! J God had to strip from me the layers of my self-ego, my personal desires, my personal plans where my focus was on “what I wanted” to learn to live for what God wants of me. it is like peeling one’s skin off slowly– so I have had to really go through experiences that at times seemed beyond what I thought I could handle. In my heart, I would be pleading to our Lord, “I have had enough! Why did you pluck me from my previous life in Singapore?…Why? Why?” Here I am not knowing what are my future plans! In ministry, there are no guarantees so it is difficult to make concrete plans of what I will do in 2 or 5 years time. I tell my friends that for a person who always had personal 3 and 5 year personal plans since I was a college student, this has been the BIGGEST challenge of my ministry. I cannot plan for what I want to do. Now, I do not have a multi-national company’s financial resources and a really talented well-paid team of staff to execute plans.

Here I am in the midst of Vincentian priests and lay volunteers who have come from all over India, who like me, have somehow answered the Call God has placed in our hearts. It is not by our personal doing or because we are “holy and worthy”, It is by the Grace of God that He blessed us with - to learn what “FAITH” can do in our lives. It Is not easy – as volunteers we do not have any employment or retirement benefits. We have no idea how long we are even going to serve here. It is not possible to plan for these “security” buffer that would have been our main priority in the working world. So why are we doing it? Why am I still here after 9 years? Despite all these “needs of the world:”, I have seen and experienced the Power of Jesus with my own eyes and in my life – the amazing healing miracles that have taken place during the weekly retreats In Divine; the nearly unbelievable testimonies of people who came back to share their miracle healings, and the incredible number of testimonies via letters and emails that are sent here. 

I personally know a friend who was healed of Stage 3 cancer upon her return to Singapore! Her doctors were puzzled at the drastic change in her X-rays! Praise God! Another friend is still battling cancer but she has tremendous courage and peace in Jesus – by her faith in Him, she accepts her cross patiently.  I have only read some of these thousands of testimonies Divine receives yearly from those suffering illnesses, childless couples, those having financial difficulties, broken marriages and so forth. Many others have just shared verbally. For anyone who thinks Jesus stopped performing miracles once He returned to Heaven, I invite them to come and experience a retreat in Divine. Jesus touches everyone who turns to Him in faith – He does not do so looking at our religion but our faith in Him – JESUS CHRIST! Around thirty percent (30%) of the weekly retreatants in Divine are non-Christians – Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, agnostics, atheists and so forth. A few years ago, I vividly recall a retreatant from Tanzania who did a few consecutive retreats here for about a month. When he finally testified one night, he shared of how he was now totally converted in his heart. He was a very powerful “witch doctor” back home. He said from now on, he would only proclaim the Healing Power of Jesus in Tanzania! Here the mission of the Divine-Potta ministry led by the Vincentian Fathers is not to convert people to be Catholics but a deep conversion of heart for every person to truly believe in Jesus our Saviour.

I have learnt to love more unconditionally; to live accepting differences; and most of all to learn to appreciate the Presence of God in others. Each of us is made in God’s image - "..for in God's image, God made mankind" (Genesis 9:6) - which means even an atheist or the world's worst sinner is made in God’s image! We can agree to disagree but we must not hate others. There is one thing I am so grateful to God for bringing me to serve in Divine, it is about learning from the Vincentian Fathers what it means to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your minds, and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30) They are tireless in their priestly mission despite the thousands of retreatants who come here for weekly retreats – many wanting personal prayers and words of encouragement and guidance. They go on external mission trips all over India and around the world. There is the Divine Television ministry which is a 24-hour commercial free Catholic Gospel channel available all over the world – even as an online channel. The Divine Charitable Trust takes care 3,000 of the most needy on a long term basis. – there seem to be endless ministry demands and challenges! Indeed, the Joy and Peace of Christ “shine” through all the Fathers here. They do not just preach but inspire us through the way they live. I have been humbled and am learning to live with this type of radical faith in Jesus. Often, I struggle when I want projects to move faster or be able to actually get to really speak to the Director re ministry work - but there are only so many hours in a day! Who can I turn to who will help me?

Without fail, it is always JESUS! My ministry is such that I work on my own and not in any particular retreat section team. It is mainly Internet-based. Yes - even the Divine-Potta ministry needs to be engaged in cyberspace as per the call of Bl. Pope John Paul II re the New Evangelization. Millions do not ever step foot into a church or even know a Catholic. We need to proclaim God’s Message through every path God leads us through.  I have learnt to do many new things in Divine through the Internet that I NEVER ever even thought of before! I had to learn how to do so through the Internet. There were no training sessions or any other person to teach me!  Goes to show it is never too late to learn new things and to embrace new frontiers for the proclamation of God’s Word! I spend many hours just speaking to Jesus in my heart and listening to His promptings. I truly love meditating on the Bible daily. And my office is next to the chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed till late at night. Whenever, I need some quiet moments to be inspired, I just dash out of my office to be in the visible Presence of my ever-loving Jesus! I have learnt to totally depend on Jesus – to discern carefully through prayer and spiritual guidance what I am to do for God. I have learnt the virtue of patience. All the major inspirations for my Divine projects have come as I prayed in front of the Blessed Sacrament, during Holy Mass, the Inner Healing sessions and the Adoration sessions. I have learnt to stay connected to God and to be aware consciously that my entire life is totally in Jesus’ Hands. I have to trust Jesus – even when I have personal doubts and fears! I need to wait and pray for Jesus WILL reveal what He wants me to do in His Time. This gets easier with practice!

There have been very difficult times of trials and tribulations yet the hope that Jesus pours into my heart gives me courage to never give up – to have faith in Him. I have been blessed knowing so many other wonderful people – both Catholics and non-Catholics. I have so many loving friends who are ever willing to share their talents and support for the Divine projects I am involved in – we are united in our love for Christ. Though we live in different countries, God’s Love brings us together.  Without a doubt, I know when we step up as committed Catholics, we can make a GREAT difference. We are all called to be missionaries wherever we are. Our Catholic Church is a mission church. We are called to know the Word, Live the Word and Spread the Word!

I am not doing anything remarkable just because I am serving as a fulltime ministry volunteer. I am just answering the Call and Plan God has for me – just as He has a Plan for the life each of you are leading. All of us are blessed because we are chosen as God’s children. We cannot all be doing the same thing to make Jesus known to the world. In fact, the Divine-Potta ministry could not have carried out God’s Call since 1989 if not for all our loving benefactors and friends from India and around the world. I have learnt how much we need each other and why we must appreciate and be thankful to God for the diversity He has created in each of us. It is what makes our life interesting, vibrant and worth living! 

As I celebrate in joy and wonder at God’s Grace for me to continue to serve here in Divine, I pray that He will ensure we are all “rooted and grounded in Christ” (Ephesians 3:17)…and together with each of you, my friends, we will learn the miracle of what our faith can do for Jesus!

At the top of this post is a YouTube music video.”WHAT FAITH CAN DO” by the gospel band Kutless which really describes my life here in Divine! 

Thank you God for Your Amazing Love!

“I am able to do all things through the One who strengthens me.”

(Philippians 4:13)

"...GO INSTEAD WHERE THERE IS NO PATH AND LEAVE A TRAIL." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I keep expecting that in some point of my life that I will reach THE point where I just want a peaceful, comfortable life – no surprises, no big risks but stability and security…just living within a comfort zone with relative happiness.  I remember when I was in my 'twenties’, my older colleagues at work would tell me, I would lose all my “idealistic fervour”, as they termed it, about how  I lived my life and forgetting about big  personal dreams to achieve within the next twenty years. J  I was often told – “The realities of life will drain you, Susan – you will just become like the rest of us.”

Well, I did think my life was moving along a trajectory where at my present age, I would be set for a reasonably comfortable life upon retirement. Obviously I did not take into account God’s Plan! First I made a decision 9 years ago that I never thought I would ever make in my lifetime – to quit my career and choose to serve fulltime in a ministry AND more so in India! I was never known as a devout Catholic (though my parents certainly were!) and I rarely served in any Church ministries except for 3 years in Singapore. Looking back, I cannot believe I actually made the decision – a monumental one that it literally seems like I have led 2 “different“ lives in this lifetime. I would never have had the courage without the Power of God's Spirit guiding me.

All of us struggle to discern correctly what is God’s Plan for our life – "Can we live it?  Is it possible?" All I know is in these 9 years, I have always had doubts – not in serving fulltime – but in whether I was the “right person” and if God would choose someone like me to be in this mission. I seem more suited for the corporate world and I often felt like a “square peg in a round hole" here. The question I asked God in prayer many times was - “God, why me? Did You make a right choice?”  I can only imagine God is used to hearing this question from millions of us – His children here on earth!  A priest once told me having doubts was a good sign because it meant I was truly searching and seeking to serve in a deep, committed way – what was important was my faithfulness to serve with full commitment and that in itself would be very pleasing to God. God will then use me according to His Will.

This Easter and my vacation has been a blessed time of personal revelation for me. I realize that for God there is NO CUT-OFF point when I will no longer be of “effective use” to do His work. For Jesus, all He asks for is my choice - made in my own free will - to live for Him. There is no retirement date in serving God. It is a life-long  mission! That is ALL that Jesus wants from each of us – the willingness to answer His Call to our hearts. We do not need to rationalize or try to find a logical way of how we can fulfill a mission God has chosen us for. It is often said, “God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.” We can certainly see that so vividly in the lives of the Apostles and early Christians! I am often strengthened by Our Lord’s Promise – “Do not be afraid – I am with you.” (Isaiah 43:5)

As I look back to my past and even to the future of what I feel called in my heart to do, God’s Plan seems quite impossible. Yet, I have never failed in fulfilling the mission work that I had felt personally called to do – despite the lack of practically every resource needed at the start! All I would do is pray and believe in the “YES” I gave to Jesus’ Call. Once I said “YES”, I never ever doubted or even thought of failure in the mission project. The rest is for God to do through me and all the other hearts He would have to touch and inspire so that together we lived and answered His Call. “This is impossible for man but not for God; everything is possible for God.” (Mark 10:27) – I truly have experienced EVERY single time the fulfillment of this Promise of God when I said YES!

A Psalm I love and often pray is Psalm 121 which starts with “I look to the mountains; where does my help come from? My help will come from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.“ (Psalm 121:1-2)  I know that what God wants of each of us is to answer willingly and courageously the Call He places in our hearts – to dare to say YES! Then we have to believe and trust in His Power in us – “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

I have been inspired by Pope Francis’ homilies – and His Call for New Evangelization is very compelling.  Our Holy Father Is definitely challenging all Catholics – yes that is you and me - to stop being part of a “sleeping giant” Catholic Church but to live with evangelistic fervor! I would like to share excerpts of two recent Homilies of our Holy Father on 20 May 2013 and 23 May 2013 respectively.

Homily Excerpt of 20 May 2013

The Bishop of Rome underscored the need for letting one’s self be guided by God. He reflected on St. Peter's vision of “the sheet with all the animals,” when Christ told him to eat non-kosher foods, Christ having made them clean.

Though St. Peter was at first reluctant and did not understand, “some non-Jews came to call him to go into a house, and he saw how the Holy Spirit was there.”

“Peter was guided by Jesus to reach that first evangelization to the Gentiles,” Pope Francis said. “Be guided by Jesus' own leadership,” he urged.

“We cannot become starched Christians, too polite, who speak of theology calmly over tea, we have to become courageous Christians,” he said.

Click on link below for full article:

CNA: Pope Tells People To Shout “Jesus” Not “Francis

Homily Excerpt of 23 May 2013

Pope Francis reflected May 23 on Jesus Christ's exhortation to be “salt of the earth,” warning that Christians who do not live their faith become “flavorless salt” and are fit to be museum pieces.

“We can show the salt: this is my salt – and how lovely it is! This is the salt that I received in Baptism, this is what I received in Confirmation, this is what I received in catechesis,” he said. “But look: museum-piece Christians! A salt without flavor, a salt that does nothing.”

The Pope’s comments came in his homily during morning Mass at the chapel of St. Martha's residence in the Vatican, Vatican Radio reports. The day’s gospel reading, from the Gospel of Mark’s ninth chapter, contains Jesus’ question to his disciples: “if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor?”

Click on link below for full article:

CNA: Pope Francis Urges Christians Not To Be Museum Pieces

I was very inspired by a parish mission mass and Eucharistic Adoration for Youths by the Emmanuel Community Fathers and lay members in Germany recently.  It was a beautiful, soul-touching night in God's Presence with a big turnout of Youths! I did not understand German but my soul experienced the tangible Presence of God in the Blessed Sacrament and true joy and peace in the beautiful, melodious  hymns by the German Youth choir.  In my heart on that night (04 May 2013), I was being personally affirmed that NEW EVANGELIZATION initiatives are crucial - it will produce a harvest for God but some of us must be willing to help sow the seeds!

Well, do we want to be known as “Starched Catholics” and “Museum Pieces”? We need to be an integral part of the New Evangelization of our Catholic Church.  I found the YouTube video below, Motivational Quotes – Reach Your Goal, inspiring and along with our prayers and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can achieve the goals Christ places in our hearts and have joyous lives!  

"PEOPLE WHO HAVE HOPE LIVE DIFFERENTLY" - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

There has been much to keep our Catholic faith in the global news since the papal conclave that chose Pope Francis as the Holy Father. Two great virtues were exemplified in the unfolding of the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the selection of Pope Francis.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI showed the strength of his faith by listening to what he felt was the Message of God to his heart - and exemplified true humility in being detached from "power" of his papal position to now lead a quiet life of prayer for the needs of the world. It must have taken immense personal courage to take this decision which had not happened in over 6 centuries. For me, as a lay person, it brought home with great clarity the importance of everyone who serves in any capacity in our Lord's ministry to always listen to God's clear prompting in our hearts...and to follow it! We must have the inner personal courage to do what God wants of us not what the world expects of us. 

Pope Francis truly inspired and brought a deep conviction into my heart as I watched on the Internet his first appeareance on the papal balcony in St. Peter's Square. Just seeing the thousands of people there and hearing his first simple words to the world. "Bueno sera" and then asking the people to pray for him touched my heart greatly - as I sat watching in front of my PC in India thousands of miles away! We were all witnessing such genuine humility and by his choice of name - our Holy Father's clear sign of his love for the poor - that the Church's focus is reach out to all those in need to know and experience the Love of God!

With all these amazing going-ons happening in the Vatican, the Season of Lent and Holy Week became a special opportunity for me to pray more intensely to live a Spirit-filled life.  Am I offering the best of my efforts as a lay Catholic in being part of the NEW EVANGELIZATION? This had been the clarion call from Blessed Pope John Paul II to all Catholics and then also the challenge from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to all of us when he declared the Year of Faith. And Pope Francis reiterated this call too. 

It is often said that "actions speak louder than words" and Pope Francis has shown us what he wants the Catholic Church to be. It is not to be a church of "rigid heirarchy" and "traditions" - it is a reaching out to the world in simplicity with Christ's Love spontaneously flowing from our hearts! I felt many emotions as a lay Catholic and I also read many online articles of what so-called "experts" were saying Pope Francis should do to make the needed changes for the Catholic Church. Yet, Pope Francis did not bother with what was being said or expected of him. It was very clear seeing/reading of all his heart-touching acts he did from the moment he came onto the balcony the first time just dressed simply in his white papal vestments only! 

All I can share is how moved I am by Pope Francis and what is his vision of the NEW EVANGELIZATION. I feel re-energized by the Holy Spirit to dare to give my all in whatever God is asking of me. Many Catholics like me are feeling inspired with hope for a revitalized Catholic Church! But for that to happen, we cannot just expect Pope Francis and the cardinals, bishops and priests to bring about the change. Every one of us must be willing to dare try new initiatives and efforts in NEW EVANGELIZATION for the Glory of our God!  I realized I did not need to worry or fear about my human limtations but to have faith in this Promise of God's Word -  "because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose." ( Philippians 2:13)

We are called to be saints. Well, I used to often think before that saints are some "practically perfect" human beings so there was NO chance for someone like me to even imagine I could ever be a saint! Yet, as I read and learn about saints, I have realized it is their extraordinary love for Jesus and most of all their willingness to do anything for the Love of God - to be His witness and to make Him known to others that is so amazing.

Am I doing that? Well, I may have thought I was doing all I could possibly do in my present circumstances but God has His own plans and I am ready to take the step of faith - to have the courage to dream and dare to answer the Call of God in my heart.

Pentecost is in a few weeks and as I am currently on vacation, it has been a time  of relaxation with much solitude to truly enjoy the beautiful creations of God. There is so much beauty all around the world - yet often I just take it for granted. These past few weeks, I feel like St. Francis of Assisi as I "treasure" seeing all the animals and birds living happily enjoying springtime...indeed, the Presence of God all around me is unmistakable!

The YouTube music video below is a collation of Inspiring Quotes of Holy Men and Women of God set to the music "THE LIGHT IN ME" sung by Brandon Heath.

Are you ready be empowered by God's Spirit to reach out to others in this Year of Faith?

May we be willing instruments to initiate efforts to spread goodwill  to the world!

"What is impossible for men is possible for God."

(Luke18:27)