snowboy’s

During the last holy mass, the priest leading the Eucharist quoted Shifu, a character in a motion picture, Kungfu Panda. He said confidently, quoting the wise character, “The past is a history; the future is a mystery; today is a gift.” Everything sounds wise, doesn’t it? For me, who was sitting in the middle of the church, it is not.

What does history mean? It means something to be memorized during your primary school, forgotten after having graduated. Historical items will then be put in museums for the people to see and their descriptions will be read. The visitors will later say things like, “Wow, that king must be great for doing that,” bla bla bla… History is almost not mentioned in our daily live. It is only mentioned if we remember it. Is our past really a history, especially when it is said in a Eucharist?

As a Catholics (Christian.red), we have a past to be proud of. Yes, we are sinner, and it will never be changed as long as we still live in the earth. This is where our brilliant past takes place. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16, KJV). Because of our sin and stupidity, God sent Jesus Christ, and He was successful in doing His task, crucified on the cross, changing the sign from shameful to victorious. Up until now, the Catholic Church has soared through many storms and cloudy nights with His guidance and Virgin Mary’s prayer.

Yes, we need to be proud of our past, but let us not over do it. We should not just record those happenings on a book named the Bible, or display the historical-related items on beautiful glass display. We have to live it. Our brilliant past would be nothing if we take them as mere history. We can already see the effect of such treatment. Churches in Europe are now in need of youngsters. Most holy mass are attended by the elders. Where have the youngsters gone? This is very awful, especially since the late Pope John Paul II mentioned that the youth is the future and hope of the church. How can they be the hope if they do not even attend the holy mass, which is supposed to be the ‘peak’ of all Catholics’ spiritual life?

Thus, let us not take our past as a simple history. Let us live it. Jesus was crucified for us, paying out debt with His own life and blood. How can we ever forget such deeds? If we are moved to help someone because he has helped us before, how can we ignore Him who has died for us? I am sorry, not just died, but also tortured for us.

Today is a gift, that is why it is called a present. We should live every day being salt and light to the world, making our days a present for our surroundings and our God. The future is a mystery, but rest assured that we have faith in God, who knows the best for us and will never leave us alone like an orphan. Even a sparrow is blessed by our Lord, Jesus Christ: Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows (Luke 12:6-7, KJV). Yet, do not make our past a mere history. Learn from it and live Jesus’ sacrifice.