http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/102411.cfm
Reflections:
In just a blink of an eye, it’s already the last week of October. Have you been so busy with work that you’ve let time pass by unnoticed?
Extract from the first reading
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you received a spirit of adoption,
through which we cry, “Abba, Father!”
Every day we struggle to meet deadlines, complete various assignments and tasks – and before we realize it, the day has come to an end. What’s worse, to help us cope, we put on various “masks” (acting differently toward different people or in different situations). In school, at work or with certain people, we put on masks; masks that conceal our true identity. In school I wear a mask of superiority and competitiveness. It’s so easy to get angry with group mates who don’t pull their weight, or with someone who is late for an appointment with us, etc. It’s hard to always remember that we are children of God. Masks may offer an easy way out to hide our vulnerability and inadequacies, but each time we put on our masks, we run the risk of turning into hypocrites (this always eats me up from inside) and losing a small part of our true selves.
Today, I chanced upon this Yahoo! News story: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/s-pore-girl-dies-after-long-battle-with-cancer.html
Do read it if you have time, it will definitely help you put things in perspective.
Yes, we all have responsibilities to fulfil, but we must always remember to make time for God and loved ones. We must resist the temptation to put on our masks, so that no matter what we do, we will do as children of God. Some tips on how to do this:
- Remind yourself – Set your phone, laptop, desktop wallpaper to a bible verse or relevant quote so that each time you look you will be reminded of your true identity.
- Read the daily readings in the morning – get an app that displays the daily readings, or simply bookmark/favourite the page on your web browser
- Set aside time – set aside a fixed amount of time, or better yet, a fixed time of the day, to do some short personal reflection before delving back into work
Offer up your deadlines and assignments, and trust that God will give you what you need to overcome them!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
But in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
God Bless!
