Last week, we heard a lecture by Rev. Sr. Malmann, who survived cancer and authored a book about her survival. The title of the book is The Goldthreads Between Heaven and Earth: Living the Faith in Difficult Moments. (Goldfäden zwischen Himmel und Erde: Glauben in dunklen Stunden). The purpose of the lecture was to learn from her the strength to survive challenging times. She did not really talk about a particular strength of hers rather her lecture was more of a profession of faith in moments of her weakness. Thus, she repeatedly asserted during the lectures: “at the end of it all is life”. When asked the meaning of that, she explained that she told herself during the period of her illness that if she survives, she will live, but if she does not survive, she will still live in God. At the end of all, she will still remain in God’s love. Thank God, she survived after some operations and a series of chemotherapy.
Not Always Easy
When St. Paul tells us today that: “all things work together for good for those who love God,” he does acknowledge that life is not always rosy. Circumstances such as the death of a child, cancer, drug addiction, joblessness, war, blasphemy, and disappointments, cannot be considered as good. Most of the time, these circumstances pose a great challenge to our faith and make us want to give up the struggle towards living the Christian life. Sr Malmann told us about her sleepless nights, during which she struggled with God with her fundamental questions, and how these questions helped to strengthen her confidence in God’s unfailing love and presence.
Last Word
The story of Sr. Malmann makes evident the fact that God has the last word and not evil circumstances that we experience. That God has the last word means that all situations will work out the way God planned them. It also means that nothing is impossible for God. God uses his power in love for our own good. He uses it most especially, to help us achieve the ultimate goal of our life. In Mark 1:38, after healing many people in Galilee, Jesus reclined to have some quiet time with his Father and the disciples were looking for him. When they found Him, they told him: “Everyone is looking for you.” He answered them: “Let us go to the neighboring towns, so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.” Here Jesus makes it clear that wonders and healings without faith and salvation would be meaningless.
Our greatest purpose in life is to remain conformed to the image of Christ. There is no higher good than to be like the Lord. When we focus on being like Christ, who for his love of the Father gave himself up for our sake, we will come out of all things victorious. We will have peace and serenity even amid difficult and challenging circumstances because God is in control.
Love is one of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. Let us therefore take some quiet time today to ask God to strengthen us in his love and let us pray for people undergoing life challenges.
