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A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

Give Jesus a Free Hand!

Once upon a time there was a king, who ruled a prosperous country. One day he went for a trip to some distant areas of his country. When he came back to his palace, he complained that his feet were very sore, because it was the first time that he had gone for such a long trip, and the road he had used was very rough and stony.

  He then ordered his people to cover every road of the country with leather. This would need skins of thousands of animals, and would cost a huge amount of money. Then one of his wise advisors dared to question the king, "Why do you have to spend that unnecessary amount of money? Why don't you just cut a little piece of leather to cover your feet?" The king was surprised, but later agreed to his suggestion to make a 'shoe' for himself.

  We often say, "I wish things would change or people would change." Instead wise people say: "Change your thinking and change your world!" - "Change yourself the world would change." Advent is the time for such a change.

  Cardinal John O'Connor of New York was consecrated a bishop in 1983 in Rome. On his way down the aisle after the consecration, he blessed the people gathered in the church. Suddenly he saw a famous face, and went over to greet Mother Teresa of Calcutta. He gave her a blessing, but was not prepared for what came next. She grasped one of his hands in both of hers, and said to him: "Give Jesus a free hand! Give him permission!"

  Cardinal O'Connor never forgot those words, and he said that he tried to make them a watchword for the rest of his life. Giving God a free hand in our lives is what is expected of us, especially during the advent season. Change would come in one's life only when you give God a free hand in your life.

In the Service of the Lord,
  Fr Thainese Alphonse

 

     
       
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St. Bernadette Catholic Church