Olivia Toh

Peace be with you. CUR was a blessed time for me, because it was the first time that I learnt about God as baby Jesus. Jesus, divine and human, reminded me that just like Him, I am of God, though living in this world. Also, knowing that Jesus wanted to meet us as we are, as humans, was a humbling experience for me. Jesus came to His people who needed saving, not when all was fine, but when we were in a broken state of sin. Because I could see that He genuinely wants to love me, I could let go of the imperfect love that the world told me I was deserving of, in order to fill my heart with the unconditional love that my Heavenly Father gives to me.

This was the beginning of my desire to be more proactive in choosing God. During CUR, Jesus and I talked a lot about the things of this world that I did not want to let go, and every day I received encouragement from Him, through the sacraments or my sharing group and the wider university community. I slowly relaxed my grip on the worldly things that I held on to, realising that nothing really gives me rest or peace. God, on the other hand, His arms are the most comfortable and I feel like I can really be myself around Him. At the same time, He didn't lie to me that following Him would be a walk in the garden, but like how Jesus knew the reality of the Cross before Him and still trusted His Father, I also wanted to challenge myself to be like my Saviour. If He, who suffered agony in the garden of Gethsemane, was still willing to give His heart to hurt on Calvary for His people who knew not what they were doing, then I can be sure that when I am persecuted for the sake of Jesus, I get the honour of sharing in His suffering. 

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Giving up the world to follow God is honestly a very joyful thing. Because following Jesus first requires that we claim our identity as children of God. When I know who I am, then I can accept my worth and accept myself as I am. And then, strengthened by His everlasting love, I am able to be merciful, through Him, to the many souls that need saving, including myself. Today, I challenge myself to desire a bigger heart to receive God's love, and also to love Him as best as I can. As the night of our Saviour's birth draws near, it is also my hope that you will allow baby Jesus, vulnerable and full of trust, to meet you in the manger of your heart.

Dear Beloved, may the peace of Jesus follow you in all your days.