Thursday of the 5th Week of Eastertide
Acts 15:7-21
Jn 15:9-11
I shall return and rebuild the fallen House of David; I shall rebuild it from its ruins and restore it
Three years ago, on Easter Sunday, I wrote a reflection on a day of extreme joy at the resurrection of our Lord, that was dampened by the suffering imposed on our Christian brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka by the evil that exists in this world. It was on Easter Sunday in 2019 that terrorists attacked three churches (two of which are Catholic) and three hotels. In total, more than two hundred were killed and even more injured. Many of them were attending Sunday Mass, much like we were.
It has been an observation of mine that the current societal climate is growing in intolerance. We are indeed paying more attention to the marginalised people, which in a really good thing, but in our haste to appear just, we actually become more discriminatory. In advocating for the rights to abortion and homosexuality while disclaiming the rights of the unborn and a meaningful family unit, in advocating the personal choice and relativism (in truth, religion and all else), yet disclaiming the truth that our God has revealed and dismissing it as emotional and fantasy jargon; have we really reduced the amount of marginalised people or have we simply switch groups of people to marginalise?
Catholics and Christians have been taught to promote peace. That is our Lord’s commandment. Therefore, while we weep with our brothers and sisters all around the world who suffer from injustices and harm, we will pray for forgiveness for the perpetrators. It is NOT saying what they have done is ok, but to say to them that we acknowledge the evil that they have committed.
We are not letting the effect of their sins affect us, their penance will be given by God, who alone has the right to judge. In the meantime, we will stand stronger and firmer in our resolve, in our faith, in our love, by the grace of God. We will not be shaken by the evil in this world, by the marginalisation and persecution of our faith, we stand firm and in unity, waiting for our Lord to come and rebuild the fallen house of David. After all, Jesus has conquered death and sin, nothing is impossible for Him.
“We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord; and we pray that all unity will one day be restored.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, and together we’ll spread the news that God in our land.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side, and we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride.
All praise to the Father, from who all things come;
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son.
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)
Prayer: Dear Jesus, grant us the grace to stand firm in our faith in all the adversity. May we grow stronger and ever more faithful. Our prayers are with the people suffering from the effects of war and by terrorist attacks, may You watch over your children and help rebuild Your holy church.
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your abundant Grace, and Your undying love, in our joy and our sorrow.
OXYGEN 
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