FLOWERS are generally considered as symbols of LOVE. So, one day I asked myself the question:
“What flowers can I possibly offer to God as symbols of my love?”
In the church fresh flowers decorate the altar. When there are celebrations, like church weddings, almost the whole church is
filled with flowers. During the wake of
a deceased person flowers are often placed near the coffin to signify sympathy
and love. On the birthdates of loved
ones flowers are offered to manifest one’s love. On other significant occasions, like a school
graduation, flowers are given to graduates as tokens of congratulations.
In the case of God,
Who is a Spirit, I asked myself
what could be a pleasing gift that comes
from one’s spirit.
Man is body and spirit.
When man acts, his action is done by his body and spirit. Hence,
whatever man does must have a spiritual dimension. This, I believe, is something that I as a man can offer to God
to manifest my love.
As I keep pondering, I reached the vision that what I
could offer to God would be everything I do, big or small. To be pleasing to God, however, whatever I do
must be in conformity with His Holy Will.
To know and do the Will of God is to me a continuous
challenge that requires an earnest sincerity in searching the Will of God and a
total humble dependence on His own grace to be able to do His Will despite all
the hardships that it entails.
This,
to my mind, is the Real Big Challenge in my life – to sincerely say: ”Lord, not
my will, but Thy Will be done!” This is
the challenge that Christ Himself experienced when at the garden of Gethsemane
He prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, yet not as I
will, but as Thou wilt.” (Matt. 26:39).
With Jesus Christ as my model, everyday, as
I visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament, I pray: “Here I am Lord, I come to do
Your Will.” This prayer makes me feel enlightened and empowered to do God’s
Will and thus enables me to offer to Him
my daily loving deeds as a my “bouquet
of flowers”.
Nov. 27, 2011
