Grace

May His grace be with you!

“Oh Father,” I groaned, “After what happened years ago, I’ve to see sister next week at the perpetual profession celebration. What am I going to do? How will I react?”
“Ask for God’s grace,” Father advised. “You'll know what to do.” Perplexed, I frowned, wondering…
On the day of my arrival, she greeted me with a joyful ‘hello’ and a big hug. We both didn’t say it but we got our tongue-tied. Painful experiences rushed back to my mind. When I was discerning my Pauline vocation with the community, sister was in charge of me. I thought we had a good rapport and an open communication. What happened I blamed her for everything, especially my broken heart. Thanks to God. We were busy décor for the celebration of next day. We didn’t have time to be in awkward position for long. I lost my peace. At night, I prayed so hard for the Holy Spirit descent upon me. I asked the Holy Spirit to act and to love in me because I knew I couldn’t do it by myself. Next day, I tried to avoid her as much as possible before mass. The perpetual celebration mass was beautiful and moved. It reminded me so much of my past. In the first reading, I heard Jesus’ voice, “Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come.” Then the responsorial psalm, my soul cried out loud, “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord, thirsting for you, my God.” Alas, I knew that I’m “forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.” Closed my eyes I gave thank to my beloved, Jesus. I knew I was truly at peace, heavenly peace. After mass, I had the courage to greet everyone including sister and all those who contributed to wound my heart. I went up to sister and asked if I could have sometimes with her while I was there. We reconciled with each other during our walk in the garden. Those were healing moments for me. I was grateful to God for having sister back to my life. We both didn’t know the purpose of what happened years ago but we knew our sisterly and friendship in Jesus worth more than anything. For me, I knew I wouldn’t be more given and loving person as I’m now if it didn’t happen. For that, I’m most grateful.
“Where the offense has abounded, grace has abounded yet more; so that as sin has reigned unto death, so also grace may reign by justice unto life everlasting through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 5:20-21). It’s not me—it’s only through His grace I had the courage to face those who caused such pain for me. Bl. Alberione’s expert, “A man without a soul is dead; a soul without grace is dead.” Yes, my soul was dead for years because I didn’t let His grace flood in me. Nevertheless, God works with me and heals all things in his time. And you, will you let his grace flood in you, today?

Take care and until next time…