It is amazing to see how the providence of God unfolds. On the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul celebrated yesterday, we see how Peter, a poor fisherman, and Paul, once a fierce prosecutor of the early Christians, were marvellously called by Christ. We hear of their conversions stories – Peter once cowardly, hasty, abrasive and self-serving, becomes emboldened to preach the Good News in spite of the face of Persecution and Jail, and becomes filled with the love of God and for his people. Paul, once zealous for the wrong thing, and an ardent murderer, becomes the Faith most vocal advocate and proponent.
Through the graces of God and filled with the Holy Spirit, these two most unlikely of candidates in human sight, both became Apostles whose mission and purpose was to build the Kingdom of God, both began to enact miracles in the name of Jesus, and both became the pillars of the Christian faith. What marvels the Lord worked for us, indeed we were glad!
God in the mystery of His being, and via the visible signs of the Sacraments and the miracles, is able to call those whom we least expect, those whom we think are not worthy to do His work. When we are called, our Lord will gift us with the necessary talents to carry out His mission and to do His will. God qualifies the called. What we simply need to do is to surrender to Him and co-operate and He will make sure that things will turn out according to His plan and in His time. Indeed, our God does not see according to what our human eyes see in a person.
For the 13th Ordinary Sunday, we see again how nothing is impossible with God. Jairus’ daughter already dead, is resurrected to life. While a woman who suffered hemorrhage was cured in an instant when she reached out in faith to touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak.
It is as the Lord says, “…your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.” (Mark 5:34)
Written by Vincent Quek