It feels so empowering to be encouraged and supported. It brings out the best in us when we realise that we are being backed and affirmed by those around us, by our peers and by those in authority. Not so long ago, I was at a meeting with our Secondary School Principals. I was sharing with them about where I get my strength in my leadership role as a bishop. I was talking with them about what sustains and encourages me in my ministry. The following day I received a note from one of the people who were present. It was a short note, but it was full of warmth and spontaneity. It read "I was sitting watching and listening to you yesterday and when travelling back later in the day by myself I got to thinking about my feelings at that time, and I wanted to tell you about those feelings. It was pride, simply pride. It felt good to be associated with you, with your attitude, with your passion, with your person. It felt good to see you in full flight exercising your priesthood, your sincerity, your love of people".
To say the least that little note gave me a sense of confidence and a sense of keeping on going forward with enthusiasm and with a sense of purpose. It is very true that we are always encountering challenges and when we think that we have faced and tackled successfully one problem, another similar situation quickly surfaces. It is also very true that life can be demanding and we are constantly faced with situations that call for serious reflection and wise decisions. However, when we are surrounded by people who have confidence in us and who believe in what we are doing then we can always find the necessary strength and confidence to keep faithful to our responsibilities.
While it is good to be given a confidence by people around us, it is even better to be given such a strong recommendation by God. God uses precisely the same words to us that were said about Jesus. We as baptised and confirmed people have got this God alive in a most powerful manner in each one of us. Whatever God creates is good. Whatever God creates is important and beneficial to others. Because of our baptism, God today says to each one of us "You are my beloved Son, you are my beloved daughter, and I am pleased with you". I am pleased with what I have created and with what I have fashioned.
According to the Oxford Dictionary to be beloved means a person who is dearly loved. To be God's beloved means that we are people who are dearly loved by God. This is who we are in God. People who are supported, encouraged, cared for, enabled and empowered by God. We know what to do when we have to face certain difficult situations in our lives. When we are confident with such situations, we do not retreat, we do not give up, throw in the towel or back into a little corner feeling sorry for ourselves. We face whatever we need to face knowing that God is with us and that we are surrounded by a faith community that we call church. When someone who is dear to us is sick, or in serious health, or spiritual trouble, we do not despair, but we lift up that person in our prayer knowing that our God cares for that person and will do what is best in his or her circumstance.
Yes indeed we might feel tempted to back off, yet at the same time we remember that our God for whom nothing is impossible is praying with and for us in such situations. St Paul captures this attitude very well. Paul was very aware of his limitations yet he always found that courage to persevere in his mission. In his Second Letter to the people of Corinth chapter 4, verses 7-9, he says, "But we have this treasure (Jesus) in jars of clay to show that all surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side but never crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. This is who you and I are in God. We are His sons, His daughters, an intimate part of His family and very loved by Him. No wonder that we are called to be a source of blessings to all those whom we encounter every day.
There is more. In today's gospel Jesus showed us how He would be in His future glory. Jesus showed us what it would be like in heaven. This is our story too. We are destined for eternity. Our Catholic life leads us to eternal glory with our God. Let us live with this attitude. Let us live with this victorious mentality. Let us never forget who we are in God.
God bless.
