C once said to me I do not ask for gifts from God because I am afraid of getting them, then I have to use them. I thought she was nuts until my recent trip to Malta where together with about 120 others I celebrated Institute for World Evangelisation ICPE Mission's 30th anniversary.
It was an anointed time, so blessed, meeting old friends, making new ones. I was enriched by the testimonies and teachings of so many that it will take me some time to digest everything properly. Having been given so many gifts, I am now called to embody the shared wisdom. I must deal with challenging situations I am faced with upon my return with a new level of maturity. Must I? Really? I can see now why C didn't want spiritual gifts from God.
Putting aside my facetiousness, I thank and praise God for giving me the tools to be a better missionary disciple, to be a better person really. What does this mean?
For me, it is to walk with conviction and joy, praising Him and giving Him glory even in bad times and impossible situations. It is the personal choice to trust and lean on Jesus (thank you Father Martin) so that I can perceive reality with more clarity, and not just through the fractured lens of my brokenness. It is the ability to receive healing and acquire true vision, and a heart that is totally for God; through Him, with Him and in Him, in unity with the Holy Spirit.
I am inspired to become more prophetic and to say yes wholeheartedly to Jesus when he tells me I can change the world through you if you are willing not to take the credit (thank you Bruce Clewett).
I am reminded that in a world filled with darkness I need to be an icon of patience, hope, humility and joy in order to usher everyone through the door of faith into the life of God (thank you Father Geno).
I must not forget to bring the oil of gladness to others, clothed in my mantle of praise (thank you Archbishop Scicluna) and to exalt Father God always, who, in turn, will exalt me as He exalted His Son who died on the cross to exalt Him (thank you Cardinal Turkson).
To follow Christ involves carrying the cross as He did, and even being crucified on it as He was, so this reflection by Father Frank is one I take to heart closely:
* We will always be tempted to avoid carrying the cross, so we must stay sensitive to the movement of the Holy Spirit to recognize temptation when we see it, and work against it.
* We can never be certain of what the future holds, only hindsight offers 20/20 vision, so it's vital to keep moving ahead on faith, persevering even when circumstances are bleak and hopeless.
* It is necessary to carry our own brother or sister in ministry. As good as we are in ministering to others, we must do the same for those in our communities and families. It is hardest to love those nearest to us, who can be constant thorns in our sides, and who show up our weaknesses and flaws all too easily, but they help sanctify us the most. The seeds of mercy, forgiveness and generosity reside within these relationships.
* With the cross there is always resurrection, that is its beauty. It is the promise of redemption fulfilled by Jesus dying on the cross. So no matter how torturous our crosses may be, we can cling to them with love and hope for what will follow will be far greater.
Thank you, Anna and Mario Capello, for giving us the ICPE Mission DNA of worship and evangelization. Thank you both for your faithful journey from inception till now, and beyond. May God bless you both and the ICPE Mission as we all work as one, united community to bring glory to God, our Father.
It was an anointed time, so blessed, meeting old friends, making new ones. I was enriched by the testimonies and teachings of so many that it will take me some time to digest everything properly. Having been given so many gifts, I am now called to embody the shared wisdom. I must deal with challenging situations I am faced with upon my return with a new level of maturity. Must I? Really? I can see now why C didn't want spiritual gifts from God.
Putting aside my facetiousness, I thank and praise God for giving me the tools to be a better missionary disciple, to be a better person really. What does this mean?
For me, it is to walk with conviction and joy, praising Him and giving Him glory even in bad times and impossible situations. It is the personal choice to trust and lean on Jesus (thank you Father Martin) so that I can perceive reality with more clarity, and not just through the fractured lens of my brokenness. It is the ability to receive healing and acquire true vision, and a heart that is totally for God; through Him, with Him and in Him, in unity with the Holy Spirit.
I am inspired to become more prophetic and to say yes wholeheartedly to Jesus when he tells me I can change the world through you if you are willing not to take the credit (thank you Bruce Clewett).
I am reminded that in a world filled with darkness I need to be an icon of patience, hope, humility and joy in order to usher everyone through the door of faith into the life of God (thank you Father Geno).
I must not forget to bring the oil of gladness to others, clothed in my mantle of praise (thank you Archbishop Scicluna) and to exalt Father God always, who, in turn, will exalt me as He exalted His Son who died on the cross to exalt Him (thank you Cardinal Turkson).
To follow Christ involves carrying the cross as He did, and even being crucified on it as He was, so this reflection by Father Frank is one I take to heart closely:
* We will always be tempted to avoid carrying the cross, so we must stay sensitive to the movement of the Holy Spirit to recognize temptation when we see it, and work against it.
* We can never be certain of what the future holds, only hindsight offers 20/20 vision, so it's vital to keep moving ahead on faith, persevering even when circumstances are bleak and hopeless.
* It is necessary to carry our own brother or sister in ministry. As good as we are in ministering to others, we must do the same for those in our communities and families. It is hardest to love those nearest to us, who can be constant thorns in our sides, and who show up our weaknesses and flaws all too easily, but they help sanctify us the most. The seeds of mercy, forgiveness and generosity reside within these relationships.
* With the cross there is always resurrection, that is its beauty. It is the promise of redemption fulfilled by Jesus dying on the cross. So no matter how torturous our crosses may be, we can cling to them with love and hope for what will follow will be far greater.
Thank you, Anna and Mario Capello, for giving us the ICPE Mission DNA of worship and evangelization. Thank you both for your faithful journey from inception till now, and beyond. May God bless you both and the ICPE Mission as we all work as one, united community to bring glory to God, our Father.
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