Learning from your mistakes

"The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly to do it because it is his will..."

Sometimes you sit hurr and you wonder why God let certain things to happen. You sit and wonder there's gotta be a reason for it, but you cant seem to make WHY it happened. The same way you wonder WHY you did wha you had done. Sometimes the decision you make, have the biggest hmm affect on errthang that you tear yourself over that mistake made. However, w/errthang else in life God has a reason for iit. Like I said the hard part is trying to see what God wants through all of it. I remember I killed myself over wha happened in exile, but obviously whas done is done, you cant change wha happened. So through all the mistakes that are made, I guess there isnt any real point in dwelling over it. Juss gotta do my best to see God through it and give it to Him. WOw what a lenten season this been...

I went last nite to go watch The Passion play at St. Lucy's in long beach. FOr the past 2 yurrs it has become a holy week tradition for me. They have a spanish youf group that renacts each station of the cross scene. From Pilate to the laying in the tomb, and its always leaves me speechless at the end. Its almost like youre exactly right thurr watching all this happen to your Jesus. Youre thurr yelling w/the crowd to free barabbas rather then freeing Jesus, its like you get all caught up in the moment. The emotions that are played in each character is amazing. They really portray wha happened, especially the girl who plays Mama Mary. Then when they raise Jesus to the cross, after nailing him to it, it leaves you w/nothing to say. All you do is stare at that cross and really wha is there to say? Praise God for great reflections during holy week.

Here, language barriers pose a major communication problem and the atmosphere is anything but congenial. We do not talk of ‘unity in diversity’ – if anything we could call it ‘disunity in adversity’. Most days are tension filled ones, as detainees face and experience endless disappointments and frustrations. Hardly a day passes without some sense of aggravation. Being nice and kind to everyone each and every day becomes a great burden.

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.-Leviticus 19:18

My experience in a ‘house of exile’ otherwise known as a detention centre, has afforded me the opportunity to undergo the acid test on the biblical principle contained in this text, that I love my neighbour as myself, the so-called ‘golden rule’.

In this micro-world, which I refer to as the mini United Nations, we have the convergence of so many people with different cultural, religious, and educational backgrounds, from such a variety of different countries. Forced into one ‘unholy family’ we remain in detention until our asylum claims are processed.

Here, language barriers pose a major communication problem and the atmosphere is anything but congenial. We do not talk of ‘unity in diversity’ – if anything we could call it ‘disunity in adversity’. Most days are tension filled ones, as detainees face and experience endless disappointments and frustrations. Hardly a day passes without some sense of aggravation. Being nice and kind to everyone each and every day becomes a great burden.

On one occasion I considered I was very wronged and was feeling extremely hurt. In church I prayed to God to help me deal with the matter, and immediately, my mind settled on the cross. I began to meditate on Christ’s passion: the betrayal; the angry mob, among whom there may well have been those he had healed, shouting ‘crucify him!’; the mockery; the bruises and the wounds; the words spoken on the cross.

I prayed then: ‘Jesus, how is it that you suffered so much for my sake without even so much as a grudge?’ And a still small voice whispered within me, ‘Love conquers all’. These words brought an instant peace which has remained with me.

Are you also hurt, feeling abused, misused? Pray the prayer of Jesus, ‘Father, forgive them’. Rise above the negative emotions that drag you down to the pit of self destruction. Reading the gospels can teach us many things, like how to be good neighbours.

May the God of love pour out love upon us all this Holy Week.

Holy THursday, I love it!!

"I will sing of Your mercy, that leads me through valleys of sorrow to rivers of joy..."im done, im out God bless