14 January, Tuesday — Sanctifying our lives for His glory

Tuesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time

Heb 2:5-12
Mk 1:21-28

For the one who sanctifies, and the ones who are sanctified, are of the same stock…

Lately, I felt that having a physical disability is akin to being a burden to myself and everyone around me. Using a wheelchair to move around means not being able to access places with kerbs and stairs. With my poor balance, I fall more often, which has been dangerous at times. So, when I drop things accidentally onto the floor, I get really irritated, especially when I’m in a hurry.

Many days, my thoughts revolve around this one single frustration, “Why did God make me disabled? Why couldn’t He make me able-bodied?”

Just a few weeks ago, I thought about one of the modern saints, St Maximilian Kolbe. Having experienced the pain and suffering brought about by the atrocities of human cruelty, he could have fallen into despair, complaining to God why He led him into the concentration camps. But no, St Max only had his eyes on glorifying Jesus and Our Lady, and he was always filled with joy, despite the tribulations. Surely, St Max was sanctified by the One who sanctifies.

So I prayed to St Max, asking him if he could help me in any way. Shortly after, a thought came to my mind, suggesting me to pray for safety whenever I pick up objects, or if I find myself in physical danger. That must have been St Max answering my prayers!

So, I tried that prayer; and now, when things don’t go my way, I quickly say a prayer to Jesus or Our Lady to protect me from danger. Saying these prayers, I could feel peace in my heart.

It is still a long way for me to overcome that frustration. But I believe that with the intercession of Our Lady and the saints, they will guide me to be sanctified for God’s glory.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Brenda Khoo)

Prayer: Dear Jesus, please sanctify our joys, sufferings, frustrations and sadness for Your glory. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for giving us Our Lady and the saints to help us to be sanctified. Amen.