FLY OR DIE
Friday 21 February 2014.
Pause. Be still in the presence of the Lord..
Reading. “Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone
who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will
save it.” (Mark 8:34 – 9:1)
Reflection. This paradox is at the
heart of the gospel – and of all human life, perhaps of all life. I once
saw gannets (sea birds) on the rocky islands off the west coast of
Ireland and learnt that they are fed and fed by the mother and then
abandoned. They have a choice: to cast themselves off the cliff and
learn to fly and fish for themselves or to stay comfortably on the rocks
and gradually starve to death. “Fly or die” is also our choice and in
gospel terms it means a radical rejection of all that goes against our
openness to God and instead finding Him in all the events of the day.
And this means a rigorous attention to the working of the Spirit of God
within and leads to an immense joy in discovering where that leads.
Prayer. Lord, teach us to “lose our life” in all the events of the day.
Teach us that central message of the gospel and lead us to the joy of
finding you in all things. Amen.
Please visit http://nguvayekunamata.blogspot.com/ for every day reflections.
Thursday 20 February 2014
Monday 3 February 2014
Hear his story
Very often we hold with respect the stories of people we regard as influential. We go to extremes to get their autographs and pay a lot of money to have their memoirs. In that line of thought, we, in many cases fail to realize our own stories and experiences. Yesterday I had the privilege to hear Divine’s story which I would like to share with you today.
Divine was born 8yrs ago in Banket, a town almost 90kms from
the capital city, Harare. His birth was a delight to his family. He was the
first son bringing a positive contrast to his two sisters who had come before
him. His intellectual and physical development was normal (as expected) until
one morning when he seemed to have been choked by what he was eating. He became
paralyzed and immobile. He was now 1year
9 months old.
The sudden change of life for Divine had a huge toll on the family.
It was not easy for them. For someone who was walking and talking to become suddenly
the opposite, it troubled them. They pursued all the medical opportunities that
were there to heave-off the challenges which Divine was experiencing. Unfortunately the doctors said there was
nothing they could do. They recommended physiotherapy which Devine took for some
time but stopped due to the expenses they incurred whenever they travelled.
The family did not lose hope when the medical door was
closed. They believed that there was a way. Their focus shifted to GOD. They
began to follow churches particularly those that are renowned for performing
miracles. They related with vividness how on one occasion visited a church and
stayed for three days in the hope of getting assistance. The Prophet told them
that he was not healing children but only those who are old. They pleaded with
the Prophet but to no avail.
Today divine is 8yrs old. He can not walk, he rolls on his
back and stomach to move from one point to another. He does not have a
wheelchair. The family can not afford one. He has learnt to say some words so
one can easily get into a conversation with him. He loves to smile and he knows
how to give you a big charming smile that assures you that you are welcome to
be with him.
This is his story.
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