by Ramsay Ho
Before the Shine Combined Poly Catholic camp, I was feeling lost as to which direction God wanted me to go. I was also feeling a deep sense of unworthiness and shame to face God because of the sins that I had committed. My friend from my community in Christ the King parish introduced me to the camp. I came with little or no expectation but an openness to what God wanted to reveal to me and a desire to reconnect with Him.
God touched me on day 2 of the camp. We had the evening session which had a reflection on the painting of the prodigal son. I felt an immense sense of unworthiness as I sat at the foot of the cross and looked into Jesus’ eyes. At that point I was prompted to go for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. During confession, God spoke to me through the priest who told me that I didn’t always have to be the “macho man” in the family, putting up the brave front but that I could be open and vulnerable to my family, and that it was important to reconnect with them.
I then went to one of the prayer teams and through one of them, I received another message of truth from the Lord for me, “Hey Ramsay, you are my beloved son, and I just wanna say that you are good enough, you are good enough, it’s okay if you have sinned, I just want you to come back, and come as you are.”
Fr Jude’s session further led me to renew my commitment to Christ, and I was convicted to make Jesus the reference point of my life and that everything will fall into place. Father quoted Matthew 6:33 that really struck my heart – But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Going out of the Shine camp, one word summed up how I felt: RENEWED! The camp had reignited the flame in me and reminded me that Jesus has given me a heart like His, to love like Him and to bring His gifts of joy and love and hope to my community and the people around me. I just have to let go and Let Him take control of my life.
