CHRISTEEN SECTION

TRUE FRIEND

Timmy was the only child of her parents; studying in sixth standard she was a good athlete who was very much loved by her classmates.  A quality that separated her from other children was the swiftness of her brain that was faster than her sporty legs.  She loved the appreciation and love that was showered on her by her friends. In order to keep that intact she induced a cunning trick – distribution of sweets.  One day, as usual she ran to the nearest sweet shop on her way to school and brought an extra quantity than the regular packet. On getting extra sweets than usual her friends praised her and she was happy with the extra attention and admiration. When it was time to return home, her friends noticed that Timmy was not her usual self. A pinch of guilt crept into her. Her mother too noticed the change. Her daughter, who otherwise would be jumping and dancing  to be back, today pretended sick and covered herself to sleep.  By evening too she was aloof and it was time for daddy to return from work. On other days, she would eagerly wait for him but today was different. She did not have the courage to face her dad nor to rush to his lap to play or to tell how her day went by. She heard the doorbell ring; and as soon as dad came in he began to call her. Slowly gathering courage she walked up to the front room where both mom and dad stood facing her. “I had told you to take your allotted pocket money; why did you take extra amount?” asked daddy fumingly. There it was!! Finally the moment that Timmy feared!! But she stood there pretending innocence and unaware of what dad was talking. When she saw that he was very angry and would punish her she began to shed tears and agreed to her misdeed.  Mom added to the conversation, “Why did you do so? If you had asked your dad, would he not have given it to you?”    Timmy cried so bitterly that mother was convinced that she was sorry and regretful for her mistake. Dad continued sternly, “From tomorrow you shall be deprived from your pocket money.  Let me warn you do not repeat this again.”  She went back to her room; angry at her parents, thinking, “Why did they have to discontinue my pocket money? How will I face my friends without sweets? How will I find a way out?”  With such gush of thoughts  she slowly faded off to sleep.

The next day, Timmy accompanied Tessy, a neighbor and her classmate. When the entire group of friends gathered, they were busy discussing homework and projects. It was then Tessy realized that she had not yet completed a portion of the calculation her teacher had given her.  Opening her bag, she took out the notebook and asked some of her friend’s help. Meanwhile Timmy who was in her own world, all worrying about what had happened the previous day, was near  sitting near friend’s bag and her eyes immediately noticed some money. There was the solution to her problems. She cunningly looked around; lifted the note and ran off to the nearest shop and brought a handful of sweets to everyone including Tessy. Each one retreated to their classrooms, after deciding where to meet for lunch break. During the interval Tessy searched her bag restlessly for the note that mother had  given her to buy lunch from the canteen. She searched between the pages of her books to all the pouches in her bag; but it was empty. Asking pardon to the Lord for her carelessness; she prayed in her hunger.  The bell rang and class resumed. After some time Tessy fell down unconscious. When Timmy enquired, she was shocked to know that her friend was suffering from high fever .  Her heart ached to know that Tessy had to skip her lunch as she lost the money. Timmy realized that her bad deeds were wrecking others life; and it was time that she mended her ways. She took a firm decision never to repeat such cruel acts; and in her heart, prayed to Lord Jesus to comfort her dear friend. From the principal’s office she telephoned her mother who took Tessy home and cared for her. Meanwhile Timmy with a sincere repentant heart confessed her act to her mother, who attentively listened and reviewed her daughter’s conduct. Amidst her sobs, she hugged mother, promising her and self never again to indulge in any such acts.

Next day Timmy went to her friend to tell her about the previous day’s happenings. She was sure that Tessy would be disappointed with her and go about telling her misdeeds to all. Instead Tessy replied, “Our Lord Jesus, has taught us to forgive our enemies; you though are my best friend, I extend my forgiveness to you. Never mind! Past is past! Let us spend our time in prayer in the chapel and studies; rather than run to the nearest sweet shop.”

Then they joined in, asking forgiveness to Lord Jesus for the sins of self, and those among students. They were filled with great happiness, joy and tranquility. The love, compassion and patience of Lord Jesus, who was wounded and bruised for our transgression sprouted in them.  Dear children, your minds may lead you to bad habits and paths very quickly. Evaluate your daily deeds today itself and beg forgiveness to Lord Jesus, and strive to make a new path in truth.

A SHORT PRAYER

O Little Jesus who lived according to the will of the Father and who set an example for us, make my hearts like yours. It seeks pleasure in self glory, selfish motives, disobedience, and many things that is not worthy in Your eyes. Grant me the strength to obey faithfully your laws even in my little deeds; the grace to request forgiveness without hesitation; and to extend forgiveness wholeheartedly to those who require if from my end.   Loving Father, grant that I and all students may be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to be sincere in all our actions. Pour out your Divine Mercy on all of us and help to wash ourselves clean from all our wrongdoing. Heavenly Mother, intercede for us to your Divine Son, our Lord Jesus. Amen.

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

YOU ARE PRICE WORTH AND

PRAISE WORTH

“…..The body is not to be used for sexual immorality, but to serve the Lord; and the Lord provides for the body.”  (1 Cor. 6:13)

The changes in Tessy made her mother restless, devoid of sleep and food.  Lack of interest and love, and complaints began to spread in her life, slowly moving Tessy to the shore of loneliness. She began regarding others to have better skills and talents than her.

What she saw in the mirror too, brought complaints on her lips.  She disliked her height which was more than required for her age, her dark complexion which neither in her family nor her classmates had and the curly hair took away all the charm and joy of her life.  Her parents were disturbed on seeing their daughter’s behavior.  

Submitting to her parent’s pressure, Tessy attended a retreat.  

She disliked God, who created her and listening to the Word of God was also the same.

However, even without her knowledge some verses pierced her. “Dear daughter, you are precious to me.  I am the One who created you.  You are mine.  I have formed you in the most beautiful way I like.”  All these verses kept on working in her mind, realizing how cruelly she had behaved towards the Lord God who loved her so much.

Soon she pained and sorrowful by her actions. She prayed to be filled with God’s love.  Her sorrowful appearance and evil thoughts began to vanish and she was able to love herself.  She found out the cause for her life.  The hatred towards her body and talent soon departed, letting in the grace to forgive herself and her classmates who constantly discouraged her.  As she realized the value of her life she began to love herself and others. 

Some people because of self –hatred begin to love loneliness, move to wrong path, divulge in drinking, smoking, bad friends etc, and self harm.  

If we understand the unconditional love of our Father, then we shall know the value of our own body. 

Dear ones, the sun that rises up every morning describes the marvels of the creation of the Highest God.  The shining stars make the night sky lovely, they are brilliant ornaments in the Lord’s high heaven.  Various things have been designed precisely and according to the need in very different manner.  The variations in the living creatures and its marvels give us the inspiration to appreciate the hands that molded them.  By giving authority over everything, God created man in His own image and reflection.  He has carefully fixed each and every organ in its own place. 

Memory power, taste, sense of touch, sense of hearing, movement, vision, smell – all these have been placed in us by God.  All these are not the work or skills of the parents who gave us birth.  Each and everyone are unique and different from others.  Talents and skills also differ. 

Not a single person is similar to another.  If all were created alike, then perhaps there might have been the need to allot numbers to each person. 

Dear ones, from the beginning itself God knows and loves us.

A mother begins to love her child from the moment she sees it. It is because she can’t see the baby that she does not even hesitate to murder the child in her womb.  When our form was unknown to us, God was aware of our shortcomings and weakness.   Yet He continues to love us.  

He loved those who were His own.  By loving till the end He says, “……… remain in my love” (John 15:9)

Tessy was a very pious and devoted child. It was when she began to get distracted by other’s talents; she began to hate her own abilities. Soon her love towards others and God’s love departed from her.

When a person is not able to love and accept oneself, his or her life proceeds to path of failure.  When they come across continual insults and discouraging words instead of praiseworthy appreciation and encouragement, children begin to hate themselves saying, “I am useless” and this suppresses all the inspirations from their brain blocking its development.

Parents who have the habit of constantly blaming their children need to receive inner healing. 

Love your neighbor as you love yourself.  In order to obey this commandment, we ought to be capable to love ourselves. By looking at ourselves we must have the inner strength to praise Our Creator. 

We who say that we love God need to express our love towards Him, who has revealed His love for us in its full realism.    “This is how we know what love is: Christ gave His life for us.  We too, then, ought to give our lives for our brothers!”  (1 John 3:16).

By seeking and finding the man who is completely broken and shattered God has given his own life as a price for him. “For you know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life handed down by your ancestors.  It was not something that can be destroyed such as silver or gold.  It was the costly sacrifice of Christ who was like the lamb without defect or flaw.”         (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Yes dear ones, what value Lord Jesus has that much value you and I have.  By flinging away this mysterious fact we are giving up our bodies for evil things. 

How much uncomfortable we are when we lose just one gram of gold?  How worried and restless we become even if it has been gifted? How great is our liking towards these perishable things? 

If it is so, does the heart of that Lord who carefully created us with a special plan in His own image, reflection and imparted love and life in it and safeguards us like the apple of His eye, shatter when we vanish from his sight! 

Won’t the Blood of Lamb cry out there?  By giving His only Beloved Son to the enemies He bought back our life.  How much more should we honor our body that is so much valuable and consider it holy?  Do we who misuse and disrespect our bodies have any right to expect anything good?  

What grave mistakes do human beings commit knowingly and unknowingly against the Creator?

Yes, the Lord says, “If one day the sky could be measured and the foundations of the earth explored only then would He reject the people of Israel because of all they have done.”  (Jeremiah 31:37)

We are dishonoring this incomparable love! 

The Lord says, “The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in you and who was given to you by God.”  (1 Cor. 6:19)  We who are the possessors of God are the temple of God. 

We have to enthrone our God who is Spirit and must submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit by SELF CONTROL. 

“…..God who gave you your name, will now bring comfort to you.”  (Baruch 4:30)

By confessing our helpless situation we can frequently recite, “Jesus my Master! Save me” and then you will be able to confront any mental struggle.

The one who gets attracted to others beauty & skills and hates self talents and life is rebelling against God. 

Once a young girl’s letter addressed to me read: “I am a person who has met failure in committing suicide because of my hopelessness in life.  I have intense anger towards God, the world and myself.  The reason is that God has created only me in such a bad manner that no one can accept me. A big dark blue scar has covered completely on one side of my cheek.  Because of shame I can’t lift my face.  Everyone hurts me by saying that it is the fruits of my deeds.”

According to God’s plan with advice and instructions I replied to her. 

After one month I again happened to read that girl’s letter. “Aunty, now I have realized that God loves me.  Do you know for how many years I have cursed my Jesus?  By loving my face and as a result of praising God, now its color has diminished to a great deal.  Not only that now the scar is not growing.  One third of the portion has vanished away.  Just as you said, I have forgotten all those who made fun of me.  As per your instructions, I am praying for them and I have asked forgiveness to my parents who gave me birth.  I have asked forgiveness to Lord Jesus.  Today I don’t feel any shame or sadness.  When I used to see a beautiful person I used to curse myself.  But today I can love myself and that has filled in me.”

Dear ones, only our Father can accept us at all times in the condition we are.  We shall receive comfort if we come in His presence and speak out the painful stories that we receive through our shortcomings.  We can obtain the grace to forgive everyone unconditionally. 

When his whole body was attacked by leprosy, Job was rejected by all.  His friends approached him only to wound him more.  By forgiving everything and mediating on the power of God, Job’s hope did not diminish.

Numerous hurt feelings and discouraging incidents lead to defeat and generate countless mental patients.  There arises many occasions for the modern generation whereby their talents remain suppressed or deviate to wrong path. 

If you will not falter from this fact that ‘my Creator has a good fortune for me’, then you will be able to grow in God’s grace. 

Repeatedly pray in this manner, “O God! By your healing touch heal the wounds that have occurred due to my shortcomings.”

And then evil and unholiness won’t touch your body. 

The lips that used to give complaints will spread forth praises to God.  You will be transformed into streams of God’s love and thus you who have learnt to love yourself,  will love your neighbors and be capable of saving them; and the ignorant will come to know that Jesus Christ is the atonement and the solution to all the problems.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ!