Follow Him with Joy

I'm happy that I was able to partake the Eucharistic celebration with the students in one of those university that located in Kuala Lumpur. It is a great honour and pleasure that I'm invited to pray and to shared some of stories with them. At the same time,to get some input from the students. I still remember there a few non-catholic students joined in and celebrated this wonderful mass with us and praising our Lord. I was amazed that these non-catholic shared with me their interest in the catholic faith, importantly, they found peace! They love the prayer that we pray, they love the hymns that we sung, they love everything! Most importantly, I can see their love for Christ, the anointed one, which is our Savior and Messiah.

As a president of the Catholic student society, to play a role as a leader, we need to face different types of problems. We need to deal with some unexpected situation. Even, we need to take criticism. When something goes wrong, you are the first who will be shot by the people, members or lecturer. Well, in any organization for that matter, leaders are facing problems with all kinds. they need to face critics often! I guess this is the heaviest burden that a leader got to bear on their shoulder.

In today's gospel reading, what does Jesus mean when he says his disciples, the follower of Christ, or leader for that matter, must be sheep in the midst of wolves? The prophet Isaiah foretold a time when wolves and lambs will dwell in peace (Isaiah 11:6 and 65:25) This certainly refers to the second coming of Christ when all will be united under the Lordship of Jesus after he has put down his enemies and established the reign of God over the heavens and the earth. In the meantime, the disciples must expect OPPOSITION and PERSECUTION from those who oppose the gospel. Jesus never hesitated to tell his disciples what they might expect if they followed him. Here Jesus says to his disciples: This is my task for you at its grimmest and worst, do you accept it? This is not the world's way of offering a job. After the defeat at Dunkirk. Churchill offered his country blood, toil, sweat, and tears. Often, this is not the message that we prefer to hear when the Lord Jesus commissions us in his service. Nonetheless, our privilege is to follow in the footsteps of the Master who laid down his life for us.

Now, are you willing to to accept hardship and suffering in following after the Lord?

Back to the topic as a leader. In many times, we might face difficulties in dealing with our members or some authority! Now, the question is can we bear our cross with joy?  As a young leader like me, sometimes I face hardship! sometimes I might discourage with things and matter that just suddenly pop-ups. But,  I know that our Lord Jesus is cheering for us in heaven, so that we may accomplish our task at the finish line. He is the one who always support us and give us the grace to accomplish our task in life.

Don't be surprised if "You will be hated by all on account of Me. But whoever holds out till the end will escape death." (Matthew 10:22) Jesus commanded His disciples to be on "guard with respect to others."( Mt10:17) because He would send His disciples out "like sheep among wolves"( Mt. 10:16). He said that they may be handed over to the police by their own families (see Mt10:21) because we are Jesus' disciples, we may be handed over to be beaten, tried, and executed, after having witnessed for Jesus by the power of the Spirit (see Mt 10:17-21) That is why throughout centuries, many Christian who died for their faith which known as Martyr. We must arm ourselves with the mentality that we will suffer in flesh (1 Pt 4:1). Expect the privilege of persecution (see Acts 5:41) as a Christian. However, the great consolation for us as a Christian is that Jesus will be our refuge, and He will be there always to love us and protect us. He will give us strength.  Importantly, we will be enjoying with Him in His everlasting Kingdom that He prepare for each one of us in heaven.