18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isa 55:1-3
Rm 8:35,37-39
Mt 14:13-21
…listen, and your soul will live.
Recently, during one of my counselling sessions, my counsellor asked me a few questions. Did I ever feel I was worthless? I answered ‘no’. Did I ever feel like nobody cared for me? I answered ‘no’. Did I ever feel like I had no purpose? Again, the answer was ‘no’. As I was answering those questions, a thought came to my mind. I’m God’s daughter. There is no reason for me to answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions.
And then, I was filled with gratitude, knowing that I am worthy and loved because I knew that it was only through the grace of God that I could answer those questions. If I had not been Catholic, if I had not been listening to God’s Word, I think I would have answered ‘yes’ to some of those questions. What a gift it was to have heard and to believe that God loves me so much, and that God created me for a purpose.
Have you ever seen or met someone who is alive, but is dead inside? Someone whose soul seems to have died and the person is just living day by day. I’ve heard stories, and now with social media, I see some people who look like that. Some of them even have luxuries that are unattainable for many of us. Jim Carrey even said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”
So, what’s the answer?
Having been through many years of my life, I know that if I had done it without God, I would not be living a life. Now, I want to also recognize that mental illnesses are real, and that they would need professional help. What I know from my personal experience is that without God, the professional help would have helped me live; but not to the fullest.
The fullness of life is with God. We have so much proof of this. If we read the stories of the Saints, we’ll get acquainted with many nobles who chose a simpler life. Saint Ignatius, St Francis, St Thomas Aquinas. Just recently, the co-founder of e.l.f Cosmetics gave up his riches and became a priest.
I would like to invite you to spend some time with God today, listening to him. Because when we listen to him, our souls will live. Maybe it’s just a minute, maybe we can spend 30 minutes. But let’s spend time with him. Let’s spend some time listening to him.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Villa)
Prayer: Father, please always be by my side and help me have the fullness of life. Thanksgiving: Thank you, Father, for making me your child, and giving my life purpose.
OXYGEN 
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