I just love the readings during the Easter season! Perhaps it is because the Acts of the Apostles is like following a series on TV. I can’t wait to hear the next part, even though I’ve seen it before. As I was struggling with what I could write this week, the Holy Spirit spoke through Fr. Tom as he shared his reflection with the 1st and 2nd graders at Mass today.
Fr. Tom asked the students if they had ever used a pencil. Of course, all 1st and 2nd graders use pencils. He then proceeded to ask the students if the pencil knew what they were going to write. They all laughed and said NO! The pencil does what they make it do, and it writes what it is guided to do. Then Fr. Tom shared with them that St. Mother Teresa said she was a pencil in God’s hands: it was God’s hands that guided her in all she was doing. The pencil has to allow itself to be guided.
This is something like what it was for the Roman guard who was about to kill himself (Acts 16:22-34) because he thought all the prisoners escaped after an earthquake one night. Paul and Silas stayed his hand, and then proceeded to teach him about Jesus. The Roman guard became that pencil, allowing God to write a different chapter in his life. Remember: he opened himself up to the hands of God and allowed himself to be directed by a will far greater than his own!
We celebrate the feast of the Ascension and with it, we wait in longing for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Am I willing to be held in the hands of God and write a new chapter in my book of life? What gifts and fruits of the Spirit will I celebrate and use for the good of others? Will I allow myself to be an instrument in God’s hands?
This could mean moving out of my comfort zone. Believe me, the Roman guard had to move WAY out of his comfort zone! Am I willing to take the risk? Sometimes, a pencil can lose its point and need to be sharpened; will I allow God to sharpen me? If not, the pencil can become dull and scratchy. Is that how I want to live my life? Like the Roman guard, we all have choice to make. Will it be a choice for death, or life? Only you can make that decision.
During the week, keep some pencils in full view to remind you that you want to be an instrument in God’s hands, and don’t let the sharpener be too far in the distance! Have a great week.
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
