It is 29th April 2020. We celebrate the memorial of St Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church. The readings are from Acts 8:1-8 and the Gospel from John 6:35-40. Whenever we are crushed in the jaws of pain, suffering and sickness, there is a fresh rush from within to reach or preach God. Martyrdom of Stephen moisturized and manured the infant church to spread. Wings of prayer and preaching begin to grow in the womb of persecution, pain, and repression. The first reading expounds in detail how Saul curtailed viciously the Church’s wings of expression while a new stream named Philip watered the hearts and homes of the poor and the second-class citizens of Samaria through Good News. The Church grows with a new vigor, evangelizing, and vitality when faced with the oppression. God never rejects us nor abandons us in spite of the absence of miracles and healings. God puts us through in a situation just because God trusts us, accompanies us, and assures us to rise again. There is nothing we face and go through for futility. Every challenging and painful moments is an opportunity to meet God in the vacuum of mind, heart and spirit. The Gospel assures us that our faith and love pull us towards God. “All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out.” (Jn.6:37). We are born to live with God. Our starting point, destination, and travel companion is God alone. The inner longing of knowing and loving God takes us through. God is determined to save us and secure us through God’s only Son Jesus. God forgets no one even when we choose to forget God. The eternal life is the final offer to all who believe in truth that God is our sustenance and security. There is no shortage of “Bread of Life” (John 6:35) even amidst the gloomy uncertainties brewing around during lockdown, social distancing and insecurity for all those who loved, secured, sanitized by God. May we continue to spread God’s love through our thoughtfulness and caring. God bless you.