Auntie Bernadette, we reckon, is around eighty years of age. She is my Godmother Betty’s best friend and together, they have literally followed our Lord’s teaching: leave all that behind and trust that God provides. You would have thought that in a country like Singapore, one must have a job and earn a living in order to survive. Bernadette and Betty have no children, they devote their lives to serve the Lord, and in return, the Lord does provide. It still amazes me every time I think about it.
This evening, after work, Cynthia and I have dropped by TTS Hospital. We went through the emergency area and I saw nurses and staffs moving the still patients from wards to wards. So much work going on in serving the community, in improving the quality of life. Such contrast to my work environment, a banking environment specifically. Today, I have also got some crisis at work. People were running around frantically trying to get some presentation slides updated for an upcoming meeting. Comparing the two, what I do for a living seems dull and meaningless. If this world rewards people – monetarily speaking – based on the real contribution to our society, I would like to be an ambulance driver. I love to drive fast and I love to save lives. In my today’s job, I save people’s asses. That does not seem to satisfy me fully.
Auntie Bernadette is hospitalized. Hence we were at TTS Hospital. Shortly after we found Bernadette, a priest has arrived. We were surprised. It was one of the Seven Catholic Sacraments: Anointing of the Sick. In the past, it was used to be called Last Rites. Today, it is part of the healing process. It was the first time I see how this Sacrament is carried out. Cynthia and I prayed along. Throughout the session, I looked at Auntie Bernadette. I was captivated by her eyes. Such fire of faith and conviction, as she absorbed every word the priest said. Those child-like expressions, such purity in heart. Jesus once said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” I was moved deeply, looking at Auntie Bernadette. I was ashamed too, for my faith and the fire within does not even measure up to a tiny faction of what she exhibits.
According to Auntie Bernadette, it is God at work that she is hospitalized. So that she has the opportunity to talk to the nurses, ease them off their daily stress and pray with them. Even when she is sick, she is still doing God’s will. After the priest has left, Auntie Bernadette held our hands and prayed for us. I can tell you honestly that whatever that was in our thoughts, Bernadette spoke them out in words. It was as though she was reading our minds. The prayer was so powerful that Cynthia was moved to tears. It was as close to divinity as I have seen lately. Today I am touched by an Angel. I think it is still not too late to repent. In the spirit of Lent, I shall leave you with two simple passages that are relevant to this Easter season.
Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return ~ Genesis 3:19
Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel ~ Mark 1:15
4 replies on “Touched By An Angel”
The Lord does provide. I have the privilege to experience it myself. The rat race is not the only way to live. Happy Easter to you and Cynthia and everyone in the family!
JoV – Thanks Jo. The rat race is indeed not the only way to live. Just that when you are in it, you think everyone is doing the thing you do. Happy Easter to you and your family too! Peace.
Thanks for the beautiful sharing Wilfrid. Like you, I have been rethinking about life, work, and meaning, and it dawned upon me that God is trying to tell me something. I have been experiencing major trials and stresses at my office lately, and for the past 2 months or so, I haven’t been able to smile as much as before. Somehow or other, I believe that God has a purpose for putting me through the fire, in the hope of refining me in trials and tribulations. This is somewhat akin to Daniel and his friends who were subjected to torture by King Nebuchadnezzar (am I right?), and who stuck to praying and eating a vegetarian diet thus emerging stronger than before.
I pray that God will heal your Aunt and lead your family on to a greater blessing and outcome from this episode. As Don Moen has sung, “God will make a way, where there seems to be no way….”
Walter – Thanks for your comments. I hope that the stress you feel at work should ease away and you should see the fruit of your effort very soon! I am not very good with the Old Testament (actually, even for the New one …) The mentioned story sounds familiar. And yes, God has his mysterious plans to strengthen us from time to time.
Thanks for your prayer. God bless!