WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLESSED...

Blessedness does not only mean receiving good things. 
If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we cannot be just spectators in life. 

Sharing some notes I took during homily today by Rev Fr Adrian Yeo @ Church of the Holy Family on The Visitation 

 

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’   Luke 1:39-45)

Fr Yeo shared two points about the Visitation:

• If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we cannot be just spectators in life.  We cannot just sit and do nothing.  Our faith must be followed with actions & we need to take on an active role to share His love.  He calls us to act for the glory of God.
  

• Blessedness does not only mean receiving good things.  Being blessed is not just receiving something good from God.  Being blessed could include "a sword piercing our hearts".  It may mean difficulties coming into our lives. God gives us different experiences and we learn to see Him in the good and the bad, and continue to praise Him for His love.

I recall from Fr Mike Schmitz*, "God chooses us to be His unique instrument to bless the world, but first we have to hold on to our faith and not let go of the covenant.  He chooses us not because we are good, or because we are the best, but because He loves us, and we are to hold on to His great love so that through our faithfulness, His plan is fulfilled and the world is blessed."

We may not understand,
we may face trials and difficulties,
but if we truly understand what it means to be blessed,

 we can choose to hold on to our faith and His great love, 

no matter the good and bad in life.

 And because we are filled with the Holy Spirit, 

we can truly live out the blessed life.

* Bible in a Year, day 58 reflection
https://youtu.be/y6fknWuyLQU