17 July, Sunday — Trust

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gen 18:1-10
Col 1:24-28
Lk 10:38-42

“you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one.”

In my reflection today, I found that the recurring theme amongst all the readings was pointing me towards trust. How apt, as in this season, myself and my wife, who have been married for 3 years, have been trying to have a child. My wife is reaching the age where it may be dangerous either for her or for the child and she can’t help but stress if we do not have one in time. It is indeed our desire to have our own children, and we have gone to great lengths to see if we can do anything humanly possible, while not crossing ethical boundaries and the church’s teachings.

That, unfortunately, has been our focus — on what we can do, with our strength and ability. We have prayed and asked God, but I feel we haven’t fully trusted and surrendered our desire to Him.

We see in the first reading today, how Abraham remained faithful to God despite not being able to have a child. Abraham was constantly aware of God’s presence in His life and always had faith in God. God was his priority and the cornerstone of his life. Even when it was seemingly impossible, Abraham continue to have faith; he continued to trust in God. It wasn’t about whether God would grant him a child, but it was who God is to him. Abraham served God out of love and not because he wanted something back in return.

St Paul, in the second reading, speaks about his suffering in order that the glory of God can shine for all to see. He didn’t need to put himself in such a position but did so as he recognised how his calling was far greater. If God is going to put me to it, He will also lead me through it. I think it is with this that I am called to put my worries and ‘sufferings’ aside to live my life for Christ first, before I can live out my role as husband or father.

The Gospel today reaffirms this message on how we shouldn’t be caught up with the many things we need to do, but the purpose of why we live and who we are living for. For me and my wife, maybe a child would bring our family more love, or more joy/laughter or give us a renewed sense of purpose/mission. But these instances can also happen even without a child. Instead of finding the things in life that can make us happy or bring us closer, maybe we can begin to find and bring Christ to each other first and that joy, love and peace may follow.

May I not just be an instrument that will lead to a child, or be able to provide materially, but an instrument that seeks to bring the joy, love, hope and peace of Christ to my family and everyone I meet. May I not just believe; may I learn to trust you more. Amen.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Benjamin Mao)

Prayer: Dear Lord, may we learn to trust you more, especially when things do not go our way. Maybe it is when things do not go our way that they are going Your way. May we learn to be Your instruments to allow your glory to shine through us, that all we do will be made perfect in You. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for your unique way of speaking through us. Thank you Lord, for we can experience Your Word amongst us — how you are so alive in our lives. Thank you for showing us Your way. Amen.