It's Ash Wednesday today and nope, we did not forget to attend mass. Surprisingly however, St Luke's was rather empty, as compared to usual Sunday mass. Sucha stark contrast to the crowded pews back in Risen Christ. It proved to be a fruitful day indeed, one of my happier ones I must admit. Father Trevor shared during homily that Lent is a good time for us to look within ourselves, be retrospective, and to see how we can deepen our relationship with God. I think I will finally be able to not let the lenten period pass by in a flash without thorough reflections.
You see, Ivan and I signed up for Reflection sessions with Father on Wednesday evenings and had our first session today. It was just a small group of 15 people with Father, Ivan and I must be the youngest there, with the oldest granny being probably 80 plus years old. An interesting mix it was but what was even more amazing was the sharings and the wonderful love for God and God's Great Love for us that I felt in the whole room.
We went through the readings and gospel for the 1st week of Lent and Father led in some reflective questions. In the beginning, it was a little quiet and odd as when Father read out the reflection question, the reaction was as usual. You guessed it right, everyone kept quiet and looked at their feet (as if to make sure their shoes were still intact). Naughty me, coz I felt Father wasn't faciliating well but got over that judgmental thinking and really focused on reflections.
We were asked first what we were thankful for and I sure was buzzing to share... (must be too long never talk to people, that's why...haha) However, the silence that filled the room made me think twice. For starters, I was actually wondering if we were meant to share aloud or to do our own personal reflections and did not want to embarrass myself. Soon however, people started sharing generic answers to the questions, but all very meaningful. Think the most poignant has got to be the fact that there are so many things that we need to be thankful for and the actual recognition of it, to begin with, is what we need to be thankful for. :)
I kept quiet for that first sharing but contributed for the next one in which it spoke about the comfort and joy in knowing that if we call on God, we will be saved. I shared about how God filled me with his warmth last Saturday at mass as He spoke to me through the communion hymn with lyrics, "Cast your burdens onto me and I will give you rest." I added that as we just migrated over, we felt a little lost, out of place and aimless...but God assured us at such a timely moment and just strengthened us to continue this journey He led us to.
The discussions just continued and some people started sharing how they grew impatient when God does not answer their prayers. I just felt that I had to share again and mentioned how our dear Lord has a great sense of humour as when we ask for something, He does not give it to us, but when we have long left it behind, He grants it to us. A reminder indeed that all things take place in His time. Also, when we pray, the need to pray for an openess to accept whatever He blesses us with. Thank you Lord for giving me the courage to share your love and providence with your people and in doing so, serving to remind myself of how I should live out my life daily, letting your Will be done.
The whole session served as a good reminder for both of us as many of the sharings from the rest of the group were things that we know and hold firmly on to but sometimes just forget. Like how God answers our prayers in His time, God is with us all the time, God will take care of our worries but we need to lift them up to Him and let Him take charge. Thanks be to God! :)
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