GOD’S GRACE WORKS WITH OUR SMART WAYS

 

Several years ago I preached a retreat for our sister community, the Daughters of St. Paul in Lahore, Pakistan. The nuns were thankful and excited because they had been gifted with three young novices preparing for their first profession of vows after almost 10 years of no additions.

In the course of my stay, I met a good number of Filipinos in the city. Some of them worked as professors in the university; others were lay missionary workers under the supervision of the Columban priests. I particularly remember my encounter with a Filipino religious brother who served as the novice master for his community’s 15 Pakistani novices. His religious community was originally founded in France and he narrated how they managed to put up a Pakistani mission house.

Pakistan, the first Islamic State, allows the visa-free entry of citizens from Asean member countries. The government specifically encouraged businessmen to visit the country and set up job and trade opportunities. Making use of this immigration policy, an Indonesian brother from the religious congregation travelled to and from Pakistan. In the process, he was able to procure a lot, build a community house and confirm a number of young Pakistani converts seeking entry to a religious congregation. The Indonesian brother who pioneered the difficult project was later given recognition by his confreres in the religious congregation. They elected him as one of their General Councilors. And the rest is history.

“Listen,” Jesus proclaims in today’s Gospel, “I am sending you as sheep among wolves. You should be clever as snakes and innocent as doves.” God’s blessing works best not only when we have much faith and confidence in His providence. We should complement God’s work with our own exercise of creativity, intelligence and intuition —abilities that God have already bestowed on us. Faith should not make us dumb and naive.Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

Reflection Question:

How do you plan your projects of evangelization? Do you also exercise astuteness and shrewdness? Re-read today’s Gospel and let it challenge you and your community’s attitude.

 

Lord, grant me courage to do my part in the work of evangelization. Help me to use the talents You have given me for this purpose. Amen.

 

St. Arnold, pray for us.