Before mass began on a recent Sunday, one parishioner said to me, “Yesterday afternoon, me and my family almost perished in a traffic accident. Our car was hit by a truck that was suddenly switching lanes. Our car spun around twice and ended up in the same direction in the slow lane.

Luckily, no one was hurt. Thanks to the Lord for giving us this grace of rebirth!” Truly, every moment of life is a gift from God. Even though life is full of ups and downs, it is nonetheless filled with a potential for love. If we know how to make use of our lives wisely, any conflict can be resolved and peace can be brought to this war-torn world.

St. Ignatius of Loyola once had the goal of achieving great fame and fortune. After he was injured, words from the Gospel stirred his heart and soul. Later on, he and several comrades together established the Order of the Jesuits (Company of Jesus) and became the underpinning of the Church.