Thursday of Week 30 in Ordinary Time
Rm 8:26-30
Lk 13:31-35
With God on our side, who can be against us?
As I started to read the scriptures for today, this phrase immediately jumped out, and I felt a sense of comfort and reassurance that God will be with me — always. That He will always have our backs, that He only wants the best for all of us, and He will always give us what we need, not necessarily what we want.
This has been seen throughout the scriptures. Time and time again, God has demonstrated that He always takes care of the ones that He loves. Stories like Noah and the Ark, Israel’s escape from Egypt, Israel’s return from captivity in Babylon…God always shows that He will deliver us but of course, at a time of His choosing, and at a time when we decide to do His will. But He will always be faithful and never abandon us.
When I was growing up, it was not a bed of roses. Mum, my brother and I shuttled from one place to another, relying on the generosity of a friend or an aunt, as we had very little at that time. Mum also had to sell a lot of her stuff and took on jobs in different factories, just to ensure that my brother and I stayed in school and had three meals a day. It was really a struggle. But through those times, I always remember mum and grandma praying the rosary at the kitchen table in the morning. They also insisted that I join them in attending the weekly Novena sessions. All these helped to build the foundations of my faith. I believe that it is because of my faith and the intercessions of Mama Mary that I was able to finish my studies and had a half decent career.
Did I, at any time, think that God abandoned us? Well, being human and to be totally honest, yes. I often wondered how it would be like to live as some of my classmates did. With their fancy shoes, and their [Íxi:z] (if you know, you know) wallets and pencil cases. But I knew that those things were not for me, and I focused on my studies and learning life skills so that I would not be a burden on mum. But there was always a nagging feeling that Jesus was always by my side, helping me, supporting me and holding me up.
Even when I faced retrenchments in my working life (I have been retrenched three times), I knew that the Lord was always with me and that He would guide me out of those situations. I remember the first time I received the news that I would be laid off. I was filled with anger, disbelief and bitterness. I was wondering why this would happen to me, when there were so many more ‘deserving’ people that should be laid off. I felt betrayed by the organization that I had put so much time and effort in. Looking back now, I realise that this was all part of God’s plan, to make me go through these experiences and to help me trust in God more. We might not know what the future holds, but God is always with us. I know it with all my heart.
What can help us arrive at this understanding? Well, we will need to play our part too. We have to spend time in prayer to build that relationship with God. Through prayer, we can learn to discern God’s will and believe that He loves us, and will guide us according to the plan that He has for each one of us. There will always be obstacles along the way, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus and follow His examples and His ways, we can be sure that God will guide us.
So, my brothers and sisters, let us have the confidence that God is always on our side. Even when we stumble — and we will — let us be courageous and make the decision to allow the Lord to lead us back to the right path to fulfil the plan that He has for each and every one of us.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Calvin Wee)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are all mighty and all powerful. Let us never forget the love You have for each and every one of us. Guide us always and grant us the discernment to know and to fulfil the plan You have for us. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, thank you for being with me always, for the many blessings that you have showered on me and the assurance that I do not face my trials alone. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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