In less than ten days, we will celebrate
the greatest feast of the year, Easter. It is a wonderful feast that captivates
me every time I think about it. I feel there can be no single day that more
perfectly announces the life that is to come than Easter Sunday. This year,
Easter will be a bit different for most people. God, in his everlasting mercy, has
given me the wonderful opportunity to live in a church and to have access the sacraments
of grace in these perilous times. Even more than food and water, we are in need
of God’s mercy. And although sacraments have been temporarily suspended around
the world, and for good reason, since saving human lives is so essential to the
Christian ethos, God’s mercy is ever present. He knows the hearts of each one
of us and he wishes to forgive each one of us, no matter what our sin.
That said, I feel strongly that God is calling
me to talk about his mercy to all those who are willing to listen. Each day, as
long as this lockdown lasts, and hopefully even after that, I will talk about
my conversion to the Catholic faith and how I have come to fully understand God’s
love and mercy and how this merciful love of God is the fodder for my soul and
to put it bluntly, the only reason I’m still alive.
Many of my friends are not Catholic and
many do not believe in personal God. In God’s great providence, he has given me
many friends and family who grew up with a completely different theological and
philosophical worldview. I no longer see this is as an impediment. I feel
instead that God is using me to be an apostle to those who would never know or
hear about the goodness of Jesus Christ.
If I have to summarize all of the Christian
faith in three words, it is that God is Good. And if I could add a few more
words, I’d say, and his mercy is forever. Whether you’re Christian or not, and
no matter what preconception you have of the Catholic Church, be rest assured
that priests around the world are praying and offering up their sacrifices for
you, so that you may have everlasting joy.
As a new convert, my enthusiasm for my new
found faith in Jesus Christ is perhaps excessive. But if it is so, it is no
doubt because God’s mercy is also equally excessive. Each day I will post a
quote from the Society of the Little Flower website, from my favourite saint.
Today, on an exceptional basis, I will post
two quotes from St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, a Canonized Saint
and Doctor of the Holy Catholic Church. These are once again taken from the Daily
Reflections section of the Society of the Little Flower website and I give them
all the credit for the incredible work they are doing in promoting devotion to
a saint who knew quite a lot about God’s infinite mercy.
“For me, God's infinite mercy is the
quality that stands out in my life, and when I contemplate and adore God's
other perfections, it's against this background of mercy all the time.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
“I do not regret having offered myself
up as a victim to Love.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
Although these two quotes look quite
different, they say the same thing. God’s mercy is infinite and this is what
makes God Love. Christianity makes a bold claim that Love is not an attribute
of God but God is himself love. And because he is love, Therese can make an
equally strong statement. There is no regret in offering oneself to Love. I can
confirm. I have never regretted my decision to follow Jesus even though it has
cost me so much and strained my relationship with my family.
Source: please note that the quotes are taken from the Society of the Little Flower website. https://www.littleflower.org/prayers-sharing/daily-reflections/
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