3 January, Monday — Fully lit, fully alive!

Monday after Epiphany Sunday

1 Jn 3:22-4:6
Mt 4:12-17,23-25

Whatever we ask God, we shall receive…

When I was much younger, I believed, at one stage, that the deeper my belief and faith in God, the more likely I was to receive what I wanted. Where did I learn this from? Well.. firstly, from some other brothers and sisters in the faith, and from what I read in the first reading of today.

Over time, however, I realised that many people did not receive what they desired. I saw friends lose businesses, even their health or their lives. I felt confused, until I spent more time reading the bible. 1 John 5:14 tells us, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us”.

When I first became a Christian, I believed that I had finally managed to own the magic lamp that would allow me not only to enter paradise, but to have the best life of luxury and joy. As I grew in my faith, it came to me (gradually, I might add) that (Christian) life is not about having the biggest houses and cars and collecting the biggest amount of wealth. My faith is not about joining the best club so that I can reap the best benefits for myself.

Rather than what it is not supposed to be, this reflection has offered me the opportunity to think about what faith means to me.

Faith is:

• a journey of growth that comes in a never-ending cycle;
• I start out as a new child of God, and learn as much about Him, His thoughts and what He expects of me. This never ends!
• As I learn more, I work/live out the desired attitudes, thoughts and behaviours; how I see and treat other people, events and life. 
• I WILL fail, but when I do, I return to Him through the Sacrament of Reconciliation; and continue.

As we journey through 2022, let us remember that our God is not an automated teller machine. He is not here to give us whatever we desire. Instead, we are here to live His will. I pray that we are able to hear the whispers that His Spirit guides us with.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)

Prayer: We ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit, Father, as to how to live our lives. May we be able to yield our desires to Your will!

Thanksgiving: We are grateful for You being in our lives. Thank you Lord, for continuing to watch over us!