Jul 30 – Memorial for St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor
An adult convert, St. Peter (406-450) fought paganism and heresy, enforced reforms, and built several churches and ornate altars in his see. A preacher with outstanding language skills, he was given the name ‘Chrysologus’, referring to his ‘golden word’. 176 of his sermons have survived; it is the strength of these beautiful explanations of the Incarnation, the Creed, the place of Mary and John the Baptist in the great plan of salvation, etc., that led to his being proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1729.
- Patron Saint Index
Exo 34:29-35
Mt 13:44-46
“…like treasure hidden in a field…”
If the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, then woe betide those of us who don’t have ‘treasure seeking’ devices that are working. Because however hard we look, we are never going to find this kingdom unless we find possess the key which unlocks the door — a door which remains elusive to many because it is blocked by way too much baggage.
Over the past year, I have been blessed to have had the pleasure of meeting and journeying with people who have shown me the doors to what I perceive as pathways to God’s kingdom. Some have gone through much suffering and loss; some have been blessed with gifts which I can only admire and wish I had; some others, a countenance that I marvel at and wonder ‘How does he/she do it, in spite of what he/she is going through’? In all cases, these people have shown me what it means to be God-fearing, faithful, committed Christians who are anchored in prayer.
At the same time, I have emerged from a relatively long period of soul-searching and discernment — wondering what my next steps should be. This involves a potentially life-changing decision that will affect my elderly mum and uncle — both of whom I live with — and set me on a more fulfilling path towards achieving my dream of building something I can finally call my own. The realisation came after a healing session in which I ministered at, as we were repeating the line ‘Son of God, you reign in majesty’.
Brothers and sisters, the treasure that we seek is not going to be found after some ‘Indiana Jones’-like quest. For many of us, it is actually laid bare out in the open for us to see. The trouble is, we let pride, envy, anger (and the rest) get in the way. We put on our very ‘human lens’ (some of us call it ‘perspective’) and then it colours everything. It takes a mighty effort indeed to be able to step back, remove all that distortion, and then look hard again at the same situation/person/task with an appreciation of how God wants us to approach it. Only then, will we begin to see all that He has laid before us, for us. Only then can we press ahead, confident in the knowledge that He wants only what is good for us.
As humans, we face the inevitability of things with all manner of emotion — fear, stoicism, anger, anxiety, dread, resignation — but with God in our hearts, things take on a slightly different veneer. With God in our hearts, our trials turn into fulfilling learning journeys — about ourselves and about those around us. With God in our hearts, it is inevitable that we discover something new and unearth whatever treasure He wants us to find.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)
Prayer: Abba Father, you do what is best for us always, even though we may not understand the processes you bring us through. We pray for an unwavering faith that you only want what is good for us, in spite of ourselves.
Thanksgiving: Lord, thank you immensely, for all that you do for us and all that you grace us with. Help us to see You in our sufferings and in our sorrows. Help us to recognise your light in our lives.
OXYGEN 
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