The Catechism in a year (67) answered the question, “For what purpose did God create man and woman?” It says, “God has created everything for them, but He has created them to know, serve and love God, to offer the entire world in thanksgiving back to Him and to be raised up to life in heaven. Only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of the human person come into true light. Man and woman are predestined to reproduce the image of the Son of God made Man who is the perfect ‘Image of the invisible God.” Col. 1:15.   

     Mathew 6:31-33 says, “So, do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?’ (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your father in heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned above everything else with the kingdom of God and with what He requires of you, and He will provide you with all these other things.”

     In the past, God only revealed Himself partially to a very few but through Jesus, he came to dwell in our midst in human form; this is an ineffable mystery: God in His boundless mercy has called us to contemplate the glory of His Only Begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father. This is the incredible paradox of the great and merciful God; this is the greatest gift of God: His Only Son. To see Him is to see the Father.

       We are conscious of the fact that God has done great things for us irrespective of our sins. Hence we do not have to join the crowd and wander away from God. If you can’t beat them, must you join them like they did to Jesus on Good Friday? Let us identify with Jesus Christ Our Savior who was wounded for our transgressions, bore our infirmities, paid in full our penalty to ransom and redeem us. Yes! He took the form of man and died for us to lead us to His Father, Our Father.

      In appreciation for what God has done for us let us truly repent for the sins we have committed and wait anxiously to meet Jesus during His second coming. As we wait on Him, let us love one another as He loves us. “Love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12. The earlier we change for good the better because no one knows the end of time; it could be today or tomorrow!

      Like the prodigal son, let us return to God who has been so good to us. The prodigal son was shocked when his father warmly received him. If we know the shortness of our lives we will not delay in changing from our wicked ways and live as true Christians. Let people see in us, the attitude of Christians to attract them to us and enable us lead them to Christ like John the Baptist in John 1: 6-8, 19-20.

        While a man was about to die recently, he entrusted his young family and properties to his elder brother whom he relied so much on. After his burial, his brother sold all the properties and sent the woman and her children away.  But before he could use the money he made from the sales, he died suddenly. If he is permitted to meet his brother hereafter, what will he tell him about his family and the properties he sold? “And because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow cold.” Mtt 24:12.

      Let us avoid doing anything that will please us and displease others for God has encouraged us to love others as we love ourselves. If we have cheated others or wronged them in anyway, we should reconcile with them and stop hurting them for our selfish interest. This may not be easy for those who want to change for good but if we pray for the grace to do so God will strengthen us.

     “And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost” Lk 19:8-10. Then, his life changed for good and he was never the same again. So shall it be for you and I this season in Jesus’ name!

     Those who have formed the habit of communicating with God regularly knowing fully well that they cannot do anything good without God’s grace will surely do the needful and be victorious.  If on the other hand, you go to God only when you have problems you are not likely to conquer your fears, overcome temptations and be victorious.

     Your prayer draws you closer to God who is ever ready to save His people from distress. Acts 16:25-26, 35 says, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a violent earth quake, which shook the prison to its foundations. At once all the doors opened, and the chains fell off all the prisoners. The next morning the Roman authorities sent police officers with the order, “Let those men go.” That was how Paul and Silas regained their freedom through God’s intervention.

      Like Our Lord Jesus Christ who prayed to His Father regularly, we too should pray often to enable us familiarize ourselves with God and make Him happy with us. God has a plan for every one of us and it is only by our regular communion with Him that we get to know and recognize His voice; know and do His will to flow in His plan for us accordingly. Try it!