God’s love

One of the duties of serving as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist is to distribute the Holy Communion to the people who are sick and housebound in our parish community of The Good Shepherd Parish. It includes a trip with Jesus to 3 or 4 people per Sunday when you are on the roster. Going around with Jesus is always a great privilege. It is an opportunity to hear people’s stories and their love to God expressed in many ways. Among other people I visit Marie (using her name, photo and story with her permission). Marie is an Aboriginal Woman, part of the Stolen Generation. Her house is overflowing with pictures telling the stories of her life and family.

Every time I visit her I hear glimpses of those stories. She mentioned many times that she had a good life, however never easy and always facing challenges. She gave me many examples of her life of faith and how much trust she put in Jesus. Just recently she told me, how in 2001 she was able to find and reunite with her mum. With the help of many people she traced her in America where she migrated earlier and was spending her last years in the nursing home. When Marie was able to fly there, she was told that it is better to tell  her mother that there are just friends from Australia visiting than the truth about who Marie is. However God is full of surprises. As soon as Marie entered the room, her mother who has never seen her before, wide open her arms and left everyone speechless and in tears recognizing her daughter who was already in her 60s. Marie was reunited with her mum! She told me that this event like many other in her life proven to her that God listens to her prayer and always look after her.

Listening to her touching story made me not only emotional but also in awe to our God. He loves us so much and died for us. He knows what happens in our lives and hearts even before we verbalise it. He waits with his arms wide open.

As we enter our Holy Week and Easter Mysteries, I think about how blessed am I with God who knows, understands, makes winding paths straight. I just need to allow Him to take a lead.

Wishing you a great week ahead.

Sr Grace

PS. Enjoy the Aboriginal artwork with the explanation from their authors.