“Behold new things have come” [2 Corinthians 5:17]

Return to our Father

“I shall get up and go to my father” [Luke 15:18]

Participate in parish bereavement services where we can pray and recite the Rosary together for ourselves and others; the soul will obtain divine benefits and faith will be nourished. During funeral services, family members and close relatives always share the life and unforgettable episodes of the deceased. Many a time these stories will always move people. In fact, the core content of those fragments that touch our hearts revolves around love. God is Love. It turns out that God uses this to help me learn what love is and to reflect on my own life and behaviour. Do I love the Lord and others? Or have I lost the right direction in life? 

Getting lost is not a problem, what matters is knowing where to turn. Lord, remove my pride and arrogance, and may I rely on your grace to be humble and bear worthy fruit in my life and conduct. For you have told me “you are precious in my eyes and glorious” [Isaiah 43:4], so “I shall get up and go to my father” [Luke 15:18].

There is no truer and more heart-rending story of a lost one’s return than the example of the conversion of the Apostle Paul. He was originally attacked the Church, but through the favour of God, he transformed from Saul, who persecuted the Church, into a great spostle who defended and proclaimed the gospel. Even though he fell blindly, he humbly accepted the invitation of Jesus, changed the direction of his life and moved along the path of God throughout his life. ‘

Lord, I know that I am prone to fall and sin, and I look to your mercy to let me know when I am lost, and to live to fulfill of your will.

Every farewell service and prayer for the dead, makes me realise that life is short and made me ponder the emptiness of the world, “for we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it” [1 Timothy 6:7]. As Christians, the ultimate goal of our faith is the eternal life of God. 

Jesus tells us, “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me … that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day … that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life” [John 6:37-40].

From now on, I will renew myself, return to our Father and live a life that leads to eternal life. St. Paul instructs us: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” [Philippians 4:6-7]. 

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen [Ephesians 3:20-21].

Lenten Campaign Organising Committee, 2022