Silent Time

What is the core message of religion for you? Many people will think of how to work off wrongdoings or overcoming a kind of karma by good deeds or about trying harder. If that was all, it would mean we all were lost. But the good news is: the decisive point is neither our own efforts nor our own accomplishments. Rather, the decisive victory is already won by the Lord and offered for free to everyone.

Do you tend to look more often upwards to the opportunities or downwards to the difficulties of life?

There are indeed a lot of challenges in life, yet we are invited to “raise up our heads”.

It sounds not realistic to have no trouble, obviously there are a lot of needs on hand.

Yet there is the promise that our needs will be taken care of, if we let the shepherd take care.

What is currently your biggest hope?

It might be the hope to graduate in school or university or to get a better job or to recover from sickness. Or to move to another place - what do you look for the most?

Among the characteristics how God treats us - and how we are called to act towards others – is love and mercy. God forgives us, so we are also called to forgive others. God does not want anything to tear down our lives, so we, too, should not tear down others. God wants to build up our lives, so we are called to build up others’ lives as well. For example to help to get out of the troubles of life and in many more regards.

Is there any hope? Often there seems to be none considering the circumstances in the world. And yet there is great and true hope!

Would you call yourself meek? Hardly anyone nowadays refers to oneself as meek.

Meek and humble are old words, often regarded as old-fashioned or outdated. And the meaning of the 2 words is often thought of in a negative way associated with “weak”. But often the opposite is true, the meek need to be strong in a world of pressure, temptation and persecution. While going through difficult circumstances, yet there are great assurances for the meek.

On earth as in heaven.

There is a multitude of reasons that bring us into trouble, it might be our own fault or from others. Whatever the origin of the hardship is, such situations at the same time always offer chances to learn and grow. As long as we go through it we may not like it, but when looking back later on, they can be found as valuable life’s lessons.

Nobody is perfect, we all fall short of the good guidance and commends of the holy God.

But there is good news: if we humbly receive the grace of the Lord, then nobody can accuse us.