10 January, Wednesday — In Obedience

Wednesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time

1 Sam 3:1-10,19-20
Mk 1:29-39

“Here I am, since you called me.”

I was blessed to have attended a silent retreat in the hills of Cebu, Philippines in early December. Having attended and ministered at such retreats before, I arrived filled with expectant faith and He certainly did not disappoint. Immediately on the first night, at the adoration session, as I gazed upon the blessed sacrament and wrote down my questions, His response came clearly as I scribbled the words furiously. After the session, as I read through the page, 10 words stood out very clearly for me – ‘Unite hearts. Bring people together. Help them focus on me.’

Over the course of the next few days, I received messages of affirmation and confirmation during my spiritual guidance sessions, quiet moments of reflection in the chapels as well as the nightly adoration sessions. He kept reminding me of my sonship and provided answers (both strong and subtle) to a few questions I had about my forward journeys.

Looking back on this past season of my life, I can only surmise that it was because I had been obedient to His promptings and, in my heart, had surrendered to His will that the turn of the year was so filled with peace, graces and His abundant blessings. From the various opportunities I had to sing in different choirs and, in the process, expanding my network of brothers and sisters (choristers and musicians), to the quiet, intimate meals/gatherings I enjoyed with friends and family, this was truly a memorable holiday to reflect on. If this is how every Advent/New Year and Octave of Christmas will be moving forward, I am going to always be delighted, grateful and surprised.

Brothers and sisters, we will/could never, ever know what God has planned for us in our various journeys. All I can say is that if we approach each step in obedience, trusting that He will take care of everything, then as we start to shed our attachment to people/things, we will appreciate those that he surrounds us with.

I am now starting to plan for my next Camino in April and things have fallen in place (travel dates, accommodation for my first night and, more recently, the route – not my originally intended one). I ask for your prayers as the date approaches when I take my next steps on this spiritual route and see what He has in store for me.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help us to surrender to you in obedience, because all that You desire is for us to live the life that You have planned for us.

Thanksgiving: Thank you, Abba Father, for always looking out for us and for embracing us in Your loving arms each time we fall.