Friday after Epiphany Sunday
1 Jn 5:5-13
Lk 5:12-16
“…anyone who does not have the Son does not have life…”
The year has just ended, and by way of a reflection round-up, a few close friends and I shared what we were each most grateful for in 2025. My gratitude sharing focused on how transformed I have become, thanks to the generous, bountiful and abundant graces of the Lord. In many ways, I am almost unrecognisable (interiorly) to myself and to people who knew me pre-reconversion – all for the better. I’m grateful that I’m no longer who I used to be, and many things that used to be OK to me back then are no longer so now – skipping Mass, not praying, cussing, blowing up at people, chasing the next new it bag/watch/bling, just to name a few. There is also no desire in me to revert to old ways of relativism, where I would pick and choose which Catholic teachings worked for me and followed only those, when I did not live the one Truth of Christ’s teachings, but was open to all and sundry lifestyles, and comfortable with the phrase, “You do you”, all on the ignoble pretext of being inclusive.
Today, I cannot imagine going back to living according to the ways of the world. There is no desire whatsoever, no temptation even, to relapse. This does not mean I am now perfect and do not sin. Thankfully, my sins are of a different nature and not mortal, and I’m also acutely aware of them and cannot find peace in my heart, when I know I’ve done something to hurt my friendship with Jesus, until I run to him by way of confession and receive sanctifying, actual and sacramental grace.
Today’s readings are all about how Jesus can and wants to heal the leprosy of our sinful lives, lives lived for the world and for oneself only; that without him we would have no hope of being fully alive and free to do what is good and right, and cooperate with his grace for the hope of salvation; nor would we be able to bear witness to his perfect wisdom, beauty, and love, and testify to his providence and sustenance through our lives.
When I look at how today’s Scripture passages relate to my own existence, I cannot help but join the dots and see how receiving the sacraments (daily Eucharist, monthly confession), devotional, contemplative and Lectio Divina prayer have slowly but surely remoulded me. The strengthening, purifying and healing effects of consuming Jesus – his body, blood, soul and divinity – and letting him exorcise me with his divine forgiveness at reconciliation, listening to his will during Scriptural and meditative prayer, and then striving to follow it by asking for an outpouring of his graces, have certainly been the foundation of my spiritual rebirth. They are also what continue to deepen my bond with Jesus, my almighty God and my perfect, humble friend. The more I align myself with him, the more I yearn to be holy, the poorer in spirit I’m able to be, and the more surrendered I become to his daily graces.
Sacraments, Scripture, prayer, and regular fasting feed my faith, and in turn, my growing faith feeds my hunger and thirst for the sacraments, the Word, and my longing to pray and detach from worldly pursuits. It’s a beautiful blessing circle that spins on the axis and momentum of the love and mercy of the One and Only God, he who tells us constantly and without exception, no matter how far we are from him, how estranged, how soiled from sin, “Of course I want to! Be cured!” He wants to love us, he wants to heal us, he wants to grace us. He always makes the first move.
So, this is what new life feels like – peaceful, hopeful and joyous, no matter one’s circumstances. This is what new wine tastes like – sweet, full-bodied and life-giving. This is what being in love with the Lord looks like – a soul who seeks him daily, a heart that listens and follows, a sister with an insatiable appetite to know him more, to be with him more, so as to love and serve him better.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Susanah Cheok)
Prayer: My Lord and my God! Grace me always to do your holy will. For your will is always for my best good — to reign in heaven in glory with you forever. That is what you made me for, and that is also my heart’s deepest desire. Never let me stray, Lord. Never let me go on my own strength. For without you, I will have no life. With you and in you, I am fully alive. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Dear Jesus, thank you for your daily invitation to sit with you and just be with you — my King, my Lord, my everything. Thank you for allowing me to bask in your divine glory, your divine holiness, your divine magnificence. I thank you for breathing new life into me each day and for transforming me with your love and mercy. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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