God doesn’t use ‘big stick’ with us – Vicar General

Individuals and families affected by infertility, pregnancy loss or difficult pregnancies gathered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando last Tuesday for a ‘Hope and Healing’ Mass.

For the past three years, the Billings Ovulation Method Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BOMATT) has organised these Masses; Tuesday’s Mass was the first one being celebrated in south Trinidad.

In his homily, Vicar General Fr Martin Sirju urged the congregation not to conjure reasons why God did not allow a woman or couple to have a perfect pregnancy. Describing this as “backward thinking” he gave the example of a woman who may have had an abortion before marriage and when married experienced difficulty conceiving.

“In a case like that we sometimes look at God as a stern judge with a big stick in hand beating down on that woman for aborting babies,” said Fr Sirju. “The more we can encourage people to think that God is not like that, I think we can help ease the burdens of people who struggle with pregnancies,” he added.

Reminding attendees “God is a God of mercy” he said, “God does not delight in our suffering even though we may think He makes us suffer too much sometimes.” Fr Sirju said many times persons see no end to suffering and disappointment because they “see what has not happened rather than what has happened”.

Referring to a couple who was unable to conceive but instead found comfort in raising animals together, he noted, “Sometimes God leads us into difficulty and trauma because He wants us to think beyond the present. That couple is still happy and there continues to be a joy in their eyes because they saw beyond their predicament.”

In closing Fr Sirju said God gives difficulties in life to use as an opportunity to ask, “What is God preparing for me beyond this difficult moment? What gift is he preparing for me?”

BOMA team member Joseph Ryan delivered the vote of thanks and coordinator Pauline Phelps invited persons to write a message to their little one who had passed away. The Mass also focused on the memory of St Gianna Beretta Molla, the patron of mothers, physicians, and unborn children. A video presentation on her life was shown before Mass.

The second Hope and Healing Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception last Thursday with Archbishop Jason Gordon as the main celebrant. – Renée Smith