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A message from:

Rev. Fr. Anthony Thekkanath VC
Center Director

Everything for Good

Easter time reminds me of Genesis 50,20 where we read "Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good..." Those who persecuted and crucified Jesus intended to destroy and annihilate him once and for all.  But Easter incidents clearly indicate that God intended, whatever happened, for good.  This gives us a lesson: when we face negative experiences, incidents, sickness or sufferings we need not be worried or tensed because God can turn everything for good.

 In the book of Genesis we have a good example of ancestor Joseph.  He was hated, ill-treated, thrown into a cistern and finally sold to Ishmaelites by his own brothers (ch.37); however, Joseph did not react, resist or hate his brothers.  We know what is its climax: God made everything good for Joseph, the fruits of which not only brought about prosperity to Egypt but also his brothers could enjoy the prosperity and plentifulness  of Egypt.   We may find such many other good examples in the Bible. 

There is a shining example in the history of the Church - Ignatius Loyola.  When he was eighteen he became a soldier. While defending the town of Pamplona against French attack he was struck by a cannon ball in his legs.  His one leg was wounded and the other badly mangled.  To save his life and possibly his legs he had to undergo many painful surgeries. During this time of his bodily improvement, Ignatius began to read whatever books that he could find. Most of the books he obtained were about the lives of saints and Christ.  These stories  had a profound impact on him and it made a great turn for good in his life (Ref. http:www.catholic.org/saints).   We know from his life that this and later events led him to begin a new Congregation -Society of Jesus - which so greatly influenced the 16th century church and later centuries.  We also  learn from his life whatever happened in his life God turn them for good..

Before we conclude we have to think of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection.  Apparently Jesus's enemies seemed to be victorious.  They thought that they could once and for all annihilate and wipe out Jesus.  But we know what was the outcome: the heavenly Father gave a glorious resurrection to Jesus and He defeated sin and death.   What we have to learn is whatever happens in our lives, especially negative experiences and bad events,  our heavenly Father can turn them for our good. Let us think and hope positivel.

Have a blessed Easter time!