When it comes to food, there have been studies on nutrition so we sort of know because of this. However, when it comes to the word of God, how do we know? Well, allow me to share my experience.

My dad passed away at a young age; I was very, very young too. Memories of events in my life while Dad was still with us are vague but I recall asking him about the story behind my given name. After having had three sons, my Father was praying for a daughter and when I entered the world, my mum said, he was full of joy and delight. He praised God and gave special thanks to St Anthony, to whom he had a very strong devotion until his last days on earth.

We all struggled to live with the pandemic and just as we begin to see a ray of hope in the far end of the tunnel, the uncertainties haunt us as we desire to live a normal peaceful life. The ‘freedom’ to associate and move around in person to participate in social interactions, to develop and grow relationships within the family or the society or the world. On a bright side, I am offered more time and opportunity when I can choose to listen to the Word of God, treasure its fullness and share its riches.

There were a thousand reasons to pull me down and prioritize the successes of the world. I was always surrounded by the voices of friends and relatives who spoke of their achievements. At times I was drawn but nothing lasted. All these fell short and made me take a detour to seek Jesus even more since my childhood.

Sometimes, in a secular world, I myself tend to forget when difficult circumstances arise and feelings of anxiety creep in, I do seek advice from whom I am close with instead of falling on my knees and seeking Jesus to search and heal me of my concerns and anxieties. I realize that I take Jesus for granted at times knowing that he knows what’s in my heart and I need not seek him to ask.

What keeps us going is the strength drawn from the inner depth of our relationship with God who is our driving force. Ever willing to lift us when we are weighed down and to give us the push. It feels like a tight rope pulling us and we need to make our choice to go forward or fall backward.

.......an anxious Jesus who is feeling distraught and is in distress as his cruel death loomed ahead. He cries out, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.”