Sunday Soul Sessions: How complete abandonment and trust can be hard, but why it's worth it

 By Missy E. 

Hope is not far away for those who seek it. Every season has a purpose. (Photo by Nathan Cowley)

If I'm a storyteller, if my gift is the written word, then I suppose here goes my reflection for Nov. 10's Sunday Soul Session on The M Report. 

The Scripture parable about the woman and two coins was the main focus today. For a quick refresher, the people in the house of worship contributed money to the treasury, some offering large sums, but it was the offering of a woman in poverty who gave her only two coins, her everything to the treasury that stood out to Jesus where he pointed out her actions to His disciples. This written reflection is what I want to emphasize:

"Our Lord desires that we should know how badly we need Him, that we should perceive our profound poverty before Him. By giving her whole livelihood, this widow puts herself in a position that necessitates unmitigated trust in God's providence. 

She is not afraid to be weak and small before God, and He delights in such childlike abandonment: our weakness attracts God because it offers Him an emptiness that He can fill ... no matter how deep the abyss of our misery, it cannot be an obstacle to God's action. Sanctity doesn't consist in this or that practice, but in a disposition of the heart which makes us little and humble in God's arms."

So the question begs to ask us, how is your heart, today? Does it need extra lovin', does it need a spark of joy, does it need healing? Does it need the freedom to speak something that's been hidden or abandoned?

Taking A Look Back at the 2018 Award-Winning Articles

By Missy E.

Your girl is a bilingual award-winning journalist!

A blessing, indeed, that in my first year as a reporter with The Tablet newspaper, our staff was bestowed the "Newspaper of the Year" award by members of the Catholic Press Association.

It's a testimony to the hard work that our small, yet big-hearted staff churns out every week for the Diocese of Brooklyn. My first year going into the streets of Brooklyn and Queens for these stories was eye-opening. Even though I lived in Queens when I studied at St. John's University many years ago, I was able to witness a different sort of beauty within these two boroughs: the beauty of the Catholic faith lived out loud through the people who make up the diocese of immigrants - as Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio always says.

That's because, unlike whatever perceptions arise when one thinks of the word Catholic or Católico, most of the best stories I've come across weren't in churches. The best stories were when I was able to become a part of the faith-in-action, when people acted towards not only what they believed in, but towards what was morally right and true. Don't get me wrong, what was published on those pages weren't stories about perfect people - just imperfect people doing small acts with great love.

Reflecting on this moment, I would like to personally share my thanks to my editors for their guidance and fearless leadership. Most especially to my colleagues at The Tablet who helped me cast my "newbie" net into the shaky waters and guided me to stay afloat. This award also goes out to my mentors - the professors and educators who shared their knowledge, wisdom and yes, Media Handbooks, throughout this journalism journey. I also consider my time spent at Medill very much the cherry on top - so much wisdom and humility gained throughout that time.

Of course, this wouldn't be possible without the dear family and friends. You know who you are. I dedicate this to my Lola (grandmother) Felicidad. She was such an advocate for furthering my education and my faith. It brought me much joy to know that she always knew what I was trying to do with my life. My parents and grandmother were immigrants from the Philippines and as much as I'm proud to be a Filipino-American, they showed me by example what hard work and dedication can accomplish with the faith that can move mountains! 

Ad majorem Dei gloriam!

Without further ado, here are the 2018 awards and the stories to accompany them!