Before I start reviewing for my test tomorrow, I just want to share a quick story that happened today. I'm going to say sorry in advance for the grammar and punctuation errors in this blog, as I am just typing away! :)
Today, being the feast day of St. Joseph, I decided to go to St. Michael's Cathedral for mass after my class. I sat in front of the statue of St. Joseph, since it is his feast day. As I sat down, I noticed that the lady behind me was quite tearful. I could sense that something was bothering her, so I prayed for her that God may give her comfort.
During the homily, my eyes glanced at an envelope right in front of me with a piece of paper inside. Something told me to open it and that it was meant to be there for a reason. When I opened it, it was a prayer novena to St. Anthony in times of difficulty. Written below the piece of paper was a note saying that this novena was to be left in church for SOMEONE who needs it in time of difficulty and distress. I immediately thought, "Wait a minute...is this for me? I'm definitely not in distress at the moment... I mean, yes, I do find the ICU course very difficult...but not to the point that I am extremely distressed? Lord, is this for me?" I began to pray about it, and all of a sudden, I saw the light... it wasn't for me, but it was for the lady behind me.
I immediately felt in my heart that God was asking me to give it to her. He was asking me a favor. So I began to think, "Here I go again... Lord, am I going crazy? Is this what you really want?" I kept questioning Him, but the more I asked Him, He became silent.
When the priest talked about St. Joseph in his homily, he mentioned that St. Joseph is a wonderful teacher of the virtue of silence. And that we had to learn to follow his ways of listening to God in His language of silence. How does this make sense?
In prayer, we need to feel and believe that God communicates to us in "silence". When the angel of God told St. Joseph in a dream that He was to take Mary as his wife, St. Joseph did as he was asked without saying a word (Matthew 1:16-24).
So...the fact that what was happening to me was pretty much related to the priest's homily, it became clear to me that God was asking me a favour which was to hand the novena to the lady sitting behind me. All He was asking from me was my "Yes, I will do it for You."
So I said, "Ok Lord, you win! Yes, I will give it to her after mass if she stays to pray. If she leaves immediately and I don't see her, then I will keep it."
I was getting nervous as the mass was about to finish. I mean, I didn't want the lady to think that I was weird or crazy! Something inside of me wanted to doubt but it was beyond clear that the lady needed the novena more than I did. The Holy Spirit is amazing.
As I was getting ready to leave, the lady was also about to leave, but then she sat back down again, and she stared straight at the statue of St. Joseph while tears began to well up in her eyes and her lips quivered. Something was indeed bothering her! So I finally had the courage to hand the envelope to her. I said, "Hi... this is for you."
She looked at me and said, "For me?"
Me: "Yes... Well, someone had left this in the pew... but I think it's for you." :)
Lady: Oh, *she smiles*...thank you. *takes the envelope from me*
I didn't stay to stare at her reaction, to see whether she would cry more or give me a confused face (haha...now that would be creepy)...but I saw that she actually opened the envelope and read it.
After doing that, I felt joy and peace. It did not hurt to pray for her and it definitely did not hurt to give someone a prayer novena that gives consolation. What was I so nervous about?
Sometimes, God asks us favors that is OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE. Just like St. Joseph, we must learn to stay silent, to trust what we hear, and to do what God asks of us because ultimately, He always has a purpose. TRUST IN GOD ALWAYS. St. Joseph isn't just a role model for husbands, fathers, or men in general... but for everyone. :)
So...this is my light of the day!!! :) PRAISE BE TO GOD!!! It may be small, but this experience is already a blessing to me. And I trust that the lady's worries are now in God's Hands. <3
Love & Prayers,
Elena
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