November 8, 2026. My dear little child, Though the earthly journey is full of hardship, remember that I am always by your side. There is never a day, nor even a single moment, when I am not with you. No matter how...

 

Dear Jesus,

In this arduous earthly life, days of joy pass all too quickly, while days of sorrow linger. Our existence is as fragile as a single thread. Even the grass and plants in the fields, enduring the sun and the wind, possess a resilience greater than our own.

Friends depart from this world without a word of farewell—friends who once shared the same school and the same classroom. There was a friend in Canada who was overjoyed whenever I called; we  reminisced about the days back in Saigon when we used to visit one another. Now, I have seen his obituary in the newspaper.

My daughter told me of her American friend—a man in good health who had hosted her family for a meal just days ago—who has now passed away following a stroke. He and his wife lived on a farm in Missouri. His wife is left alone, how will she manage all the work that once fell to her husband—and, more dauntingly, how will she bear the crushing weight of such profound loneliness?

As we reach the winter of our lives, we find ourselves increasingly beset by illness, adversity, bereavement, and separation. These are the gray, somber patches in the tapestry of our existence.

And this is to say nothing of the upheavals unfolding around us—the chaotic protests in Europe, the storms and floods ravaging the world—all of which leave the human heart deeply unsettled.

Where, then, can we find a refuge in these times, if not in God? How can we, as human beings, hope to struggle through life relying solely on our own strength, without leaning upon the divine power and love of God the Father and of You, Master?

When You descended to this earth more than two thousand years ago, the path You walked was certainly not one strewn with fragrant flowers and pleasant greenery. For three years, You traveled to preach alongside the twelve apostles—enduring scorching sun, hunger, thirst, rain, and bitter cold. Your teachings were filled with deep compassion and mercy, calling upon all of humanity to love one another. You performed countless miracles; one might have expected humanity to respond with gratitude and heed Your words—yet instead, they cast You out and repaid by nailing You to the Cross.

Looking back today at the path You walked, we come to understand that as Your disciples, we cannot expect to be greater than the Master. You went before us, setting an example and showing us that the journey of life is inevitably fraught with hardship and adversity.

Even now, Your words still echo within me—teachings of love, a love that led You to die on the Cross for our sake.

Whenever illness, infirmity, or misfortune befalls us, we have no choice but to lean on You to continue our journey through this world.

Though the path of life is arduous and difficult, the Cross is not the end; it is the gateway to the Resurrection.

May you grant us greater faith and strength. May we come to realize that each time we carry the cross of our own lives, we are walking alongside with You, sharing in Your Passion. When we lean upon You, our body and soul are warmed by Your love.

It is the hope of a future resurrection that serves as our greatest source of strength, enabling us to endure the "winter of life."

My dear little child,

Though the earthly journey is full of hardship, remember that I am always by your side. There is never a day, nor even a single moment, when I am not with you. No matter how difficult or sorrowful your journey through life may be, My loving arms will always enfold and protect you. I am Love, Peace, and Joy. Once you truly understand this, you will realize that you are never alone on your earthly path, nor are you solitary in your struggles. How many times have I rescued you, clearing the thorns from your path—though you did not even see it?

Place your trust in the perfect Love of My Father and in My own Love; this will steady your steps for all the days to come. A day will arrive—whether soon or in the distant future—when you shall return to the Father’s House, a place where there is no more suffering, illness, weeping, or separation.

Live a simple life; love generously, care deeply, and speak kindly. As for the rest—the injustices, the wickedness, and all such things in the world—know that they do not belong to you; simply pray, and entrust them to God.

"Though the earthly path be fraught with hardship,

You remain by my side with every passing day.

Amidst the storms that buffet the currents of life,

You are here to sustain me, so I need not feel alone.

When the road is long and the burden heavy, You share the weight,

Warming the heart to banish its emptiness.

Walk firmly in Your footsteps, and let my fears dissolve;

You are my shield, and the light of the breaking dawn.

Deep grace and profound love are etched within my heart;

I vow to keep my spirit pure, and my soul untainted and bright. 

Though the path of life be shrouded in mist and haze,

The presence of My gentle Teacher shines ever bright."

Dear Heavenly Father,

Grant that I may know You, O Father, and that I may know myself. To know You, listen to Your Word and put it into practice in my daily life. To know myself, to transform my path into Yours of righteousness—finding Heaven within my heart, to dwell with You forever. 

May all who read this meditation come to understand Your love and return to You as Your children.

O, Dear Lord, please grant peace to all who read this meditation. AMEN