Gratitude & Thanksgiving

    Acts 16:31  was quoted by a friend yesterday. “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  It is not uncommon for this verse to be quoted out of context and misintepreted that salvation is assured for one’s entire family when one believes in Christ.     I felt the need to read up about this passage, and the Lord’s timing is impeccable.  This week’s 1st readings are taken from Acts 16-18.  Sunday’s Gospel of 17 May from 1 Pet 3:15 serves as a reminder too, for us to be always ready to give an explanation….   And so I dug into Scripture….   ______________________   The 1st reading of 18 May is from Acts 16:11-15 and tells of the conversion of Lydia.   Verse 14 tells us that "...the Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to Paul", and she believed.   Verse 15 tells us that “... she and her household were baptised." The 1st reading of 19 May is from  Acts 16:22-34...

      Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope... 1 Peter 3:15   Fr Lionel and Fr Gerard both focused on this verse from the 2nd reading this Sunday.   The Lord calls us to be accountable for our actions, and to become a beacon of hope for others.     Fr Lionel posed the question:   How do remain hopefu l at this time of massive COVID-19 affliction confronting the whole world?  So many are living in anguish and fear - losing livelihood, domestic violence, suicidal thoughts, health issues….   Even for us Christians believing and knowing that there is a world beyond this world, the reality is that we are still in this world, facing the uncertainties of tomorrow - having to put food on the table, taking care of the elderly and the sick, weakening mental strength, worrying about our jobs and our families…. We are dealing with the virus which is crouching at our door wait...

      The timing is uncanny.     I read a beautiful piece titled “Grief and Healing" last night.  And this morning, i received news of the sudden demise of a friend’s son.   A striking young man so filled with the Holy Spirit.           The author of the article, Teresa Greenway, lost her son 24 years ago.  He is one of 10 children she has.   In her article, she said of the day of his 24th death anniversary,  “I was okay.  And then I wasn’t.  Without warning a shuddering welled up inside, my gut contracted and tears began to seep out. I wept.  Today will have its due because he mattered, because he is loved.  Because I miss him."   And she went on to say, “You think you have worked it out and have healed inside.  Everything is fine.  You find just how much you’ve healed on that day. This day.  The day it happened, 24 years ago. " ———   My own sister wa...