Note from the Editor
Dear Reader,
Thank you for your participation in our community! We are happy to welcome you to the inaugural issue of Catholic Reflexions, an online magazine published by the United Nation Catholic Club!
The word “reflex”, part of the name of our magazine, has several meanings: an automatic response to a stimulus that does not require mental processing; a reflection of light or image produced by reflection; or to bend back and turn away.
These three meanings dovetail with the objectives of this digital platform: to strengthen our faith such that we can automatically respond to the Holy Spirit’s voice in our lives; to encourage us to reflect Christ in all we say and do; and to inspire us to be spiritually docile to the God who loved us first.
We hope to offer you a collection of articles and stories that will reflect our community’s shared values and aspirations, and bring us all closer together as a community. Enjoy reading, and please pray for God’s blessing as we start this venture!
- Dr. Esther Tan
Editor, Catholic Reflexions Magazine
What Do You See?
by Dr. Esther Tan
I recently watched the movie Sight. It tells the story of Dr. Ming Wang, originally from China, who studied at MIT and Harvard and later became a renowned eye surgeon. Dr. Wang encounters a young girl from India, blinded when her mother deliberately pours acid over her eyes. Despite his efforts, he is unable to restore her sight. The movie concludes with profound questions: Is it possible for one to "see" without physical sight? Conversely, can we be “blind” even when our eyes are physically intact? The answer is a resounding “Yes”. The little girl, despite her physical blindness, is filled with light and grace, having an ability to "see" through suffering. This gift, she offers to Dr. Wang, and inspires him to move from physical blindness towards true sight.
This movie led me to meditate on Luke 8:4-15, the Parable of the Sower. Jesus says, "Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that ‘they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.’" Why is it that two individuals can see and hear the same things, yet one understands the mysteries of God's Kingdom while the other does not? The answer perhaps lies in the Parable of the Sower: The ability to understand God's mysteries depends on the condition of our hearts.
Jesus explains that there are four reactions people have when they hear God's word:
The devil comes and immediately takes the Word from our hearts so that we do not believe.
We have no roots, only believing for a while, but quickly falling away in times of trial.
We become choked by anxieties, riches, and pleasures of life, which prevent us from bearing mature fruit.
We embrace the word with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit with perseverance.
Personally, I’ve often struggled with worries, worldly attachments, life’s busyness, and despondency clouding my spiritual vision. Indeed, Jesus reminds us that we can easily miss the deeper truths of God's Word if our hearts are not prepared to receive Him. I often forget that the lens of my heart is dirty, and I need to humble myself, ask God to take away the barriers, and to soften and unclutter the soil of my heart. As Jesus says, understanding and living out God's Word requires more than just hearing it superficially: it requires nurturing a heart that is good, noble, receptive and persevering.
So I leave us with these questions: Despite physically intact eyes and ears, do we really see and hear God's voice? And are our hearts ready to receive His Word correctly at all times?
Dear God, give me a pure, open, and receptive heart, so that I can "see" clearly the mysteries of Your Kingdom and bear good and lasting fruit in our lives.
Interview with A Catholic: Guenther Gross
Each month, we have an intimate chat with a practicing Catholic. We discuss why they believe what they believe, the difference Christ has made in their lives, and any lessons learned from their faith journey. For our inaugural issues, we are happy to feature GUENTHER GROSS, the Vice-President of the UN Catholic Club, as well as Senior Programme Management Officer, Office of the Under-Secretary-General, Department of Economic & Social Affairs (DESA) at the United Nations in New York.
Tell us more about you and how your Catholic faith has played a role in your life? I was born and raised by my parents in a small town in Austria as the youngest of four children. The Catholic faith always played an important role in our family, particularly with my mother being devoted to educating us on the teachings of the Catholic Church. I attended summer camps organized by our parish and became an altar server when I was about 10 years old. My family and community helped me develop my faith even during the difficult years of my teenage life. As a young adult and a student at the University of Vienna, Austria, I became more reluctant in my faith and too busy with my studies and social activities. However, when my parents invited me to join them for a visit to Medjugorje, my experience there changed my life entirely. I started praying the rosary and felt a very strong presence of the Lord.
What are some significant moments or experiences that have deepened your faith journey? My visit to Medjugorje and subsequently the charismatic prayer group I attended as a young adult in Vienna significantly helped me in my conversion to believe in God and to return to the Catholic faith and church. I opened myself to the Lord to learn more about Him and seek Him in my daily life. During my time living with my family in Nairobi, Kenya, I was always impressed by the faith, devotion, and spirituality of the people and the church community. Since living in New York from 2005, I have become more involved in our local church community, where I listened to many testimonies from my fellow parishioners, which helped me continuously grow in the Lord. My faith journey was further strengthened when I started attending the New York Opus Dei center regularly, where I practically learned how to live my Catholic faith in my daily work.
How do you think your Catholic values have impacted your work and interactions with colleagues? The Catholic values and my faith have truly helped me in my daily work, guiding me to ask God for His guidance in making the right decisions and integrating our Catholic values into my professional life. It impacts how we interact with our colleagues to better understand their views and concerns, how we manage our time more effectively, and especially how we make difficult decisions. As Catholics, we are guided by the Holy Spirit and walk by faith and not by sight, becoming more responsible and dedicated employees committed to our daily tasks.
Are there any particular saints, prayers, or devotions that inspire you or that you feel a strong connection to? Since my visit to Medjugorje in 1995, I have developed a strong devotion to Our Mother Mary, asking her to protect and guide me in my daily steps and lead me to our Lord. Her gentle guidance to daily prayer, more frequent visits to Mass, and confessions has helped me grow in my journey to start living holy moments and experience heaven on earth.
Speaker Notes: Feminine Genius: Gazing into the Heart of Mary
Each month, we summarize a talk previously presented to our members.
On May 7, 2024, Sister Antoniana Maria, Sisters of Life, gave a talk focused on the feminine heart, particularly through the example of Mary, highlighting three key aspects: receptivity, maternity, and identity.
Focusing first on receptivity, she related how Mary’s acceptance of God’s will serves as a model for embracing life’s challenges with faith. She shared her own story of overcoming a serious illness, which allowed her to slow down and see and serve people more profoundly with her heart. On maternity, she spoke of the innate maternal nature of women, whether physical or spiritual. She shared powerful stories of women in crisis, like Sarah, who chose life for her baby through the support and prayer of the Sisters of Life. Another story highlighted the deep healing and reconciliation available to women who have experienced abortion, emphasizing God’s mercy and forgiveness. Lastly, she discussed identity, portraying Mary as an icon of the Church. She cited Cardinal John O’Connor, describing Mary not as eternally youthful but as a weary, yet steadfast, figure who endured much suffering. This perspective underscores the Church’s role in bearing humanity’s burdens and the beauty in steadfast love and faith despite trials.
Sister Antoniana concluded by leading prayers and the Rosary, invoking Mary’s intercession for receptive hearts and the strength to embody Christ’s love. She invited participants to open their hearts to Jesus and to see themselves as living witnesses of the Church in their daily lives. The talk was punctuated with personal anecdotes, scriptural reflections, and a deep sense of prayerful encouragement for all attendees. The full talk is available here.
Workplace Tips: How Can I Be An Impactful Leader?
Each month, we offer advice and tips for being effective in our workplaces. Drawing from global best practices and personal experiences, we share insights for your use.
by Dr. Esther Tan
We may sometimes feel demoralized and cynical in difficult workplaces, facing incompetent bosses, difficult colleagues, and subordinates who don't pull their weight. However, by shifting our mindset and focusing on our own locus of control, we can become impactful leaders no matter where we are planted by God. Here are some practical tips to guide us:
Change our mindset - Instead of falling into a victim mentality, consider what areas are within your control at your workplace, and operate within those areas. Imagine you are the boss of your own activities: how would you operate differently with that new mindset?
Maintain Organization and Efficiency - Set clear goals, establish procedures, and use resources effectively. An organized and efficient workplace is essential for success.
Empower Your Staff - Create an environment where everyone feels valued and capable of making decisions. Empowerment increases productivity and fosters a sense of ownership and motivation, reflecting Jesus’ trust in His disciples.
Identify Gifts and Talents - Identify and leverage the unique gifts and talents of your team members. By allowing them to work in areas where they excel, you maximize efficiency, job satisfaction, and personal growth.
Learn to Delegate - Recognize that you can't do it all alone. Delegation not only lightens your load but also helps your team members grow and develop their skills.
Which of these areas can you improve to create a positive, productive, and harmonious work environment?
Spiritual Life Tips: The Daily Examen
Each month, we offer practical advice and tips related to our Catholic faith and spirituality.
In the Examen, we review our recent past to find God and God’s blessings in life. St. Ignatius provides a simple five-step routine for our daily Examen. To help me remember the five steps, I like to use a 5-Rs mnemonic:
Relish the moments that went well and all of the gifts I have today.
Request the Spirit to lead me through my review of the day.
Review the day.
Repent of any mistakes or failures.
Resolve, in concrete ways, to live tomorrow well.
“But the man who is not afraid to admit everything that he sees to be wrong with himself, and yet recognizes that he may be the object of God’s love precisely because of his shortcomings, can begin to be sincere. His sincerity is based on confidence, not in his own illusions about himself, but in the endless, unfailing mercy of God.”
For inquiries, or potential contributions to the magazine, please contact unitednationscatholicclub@outlook.com