by Nicholas Budiman
Seek not the richness of the world, but the richness of heaven because no amount of richness in this world is wealthy enough to replace the love that God has granted upon us!
We started this journey with Fr Colin who provides us more knowledge about God. The session is held every Tuesday via zoom meeting. Each session is divided into 3 parts, with the first part lasting about 1 hour or so, the second, about 30 mins where we are split into groups (usually, we discuss what has been shared in the first part, if there are any doubts or issues so that it can be cleared by our sponsors, or just share our experience, and how it might relate to the topic). The third part of about 30 mins, includes conclusion and most importantly, blessings from Fr Colin.
Father would join one of the group to also sit in and listen, and contribute to the discussion if we do have anything that we'd like to clarify. Anything that is discussed in the group is kept confidential and not shared with others in other groups.
Each week has been both an informative and an enjoyable one with us gaining knowledge about God our savior, and getting to know one another better in the group; which also helps us to be more open about sharing our experiences. Fr Colin sets aside extra time at the end should we prefer to stay and chat.
By the end of the day, you would feel enlightened by numerous facts; one of them being that you're not unloved in this world. Plenty of times I've doubted whether I deserve this love for all the sins I've committed, but God continues to love me. For that I seek to be better myself; to be a better husband, to be a better son, and most importantly — to be a better man. Not to seek the approval of others, but to be the man worthy of God's love. [Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.]
Still, I have learnt that even mere humans are capable of great things such as forgiving people, loving others without condition, and to care for someone other than yourself! [Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.]
Do not worry about what others think of you. In the end — it's all about your relationship with God. Have faith in God and everything will be alright! [Jesus replied, “if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’…”]
Your life belongs to more than just yourself! You can be the smartest person in the world, or the richest, or the strongest; yet NONE of that ever amount to anything without the love of God, for you can never bring worldly things with you in the afterlife. Don't worry about what comes next because no matter what happens — God will love and care for us infinitely for all time! [For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.]
Seek NOT the richness of the world, but the richness of heaven!