On my way to Israel, at my 15-hour layover in Rome, I had a lot of time to think… But being so closely knit to my own family at home, one of my main thoughts were: “How is it going to be like, adjusting to a new country, and adjusting to a completely new environment, with a completely new set of people?” My thought had been dwelling on how I would adjust and if it would still feel like home. Surely enough, upon arrival, the team clicked instantly with the family we’re staying with. We are able to play with their kids and even take care and (almost) put to sleep their 9-month-old baby. We’ve been enjoying our time, getting to know the AGT and other members of the CFC Community from CFC’s, to SFC’s, to YFC’s, and even the ever-joyful KFC’s… we began to realize that we are so blessed to easily adjust and have a HUGE family in the Community almost instantly! But then all this made me ask myself something…
What if it was never about how WE, as missionaries, could adjust?
If there is one simple thing that I could say I have been realizing so clearly in my journey thusfar, it would be this:
As missionaries, we are blessed TO BLESS and BE BLESSED.
Yes, we’ve been blessed to have been able to adjust to a family here, but the call goes beyond the work the community calls us to do as well. Being missionaries, we must live the lives they live. We must joyfully follow their lifestyle and be a part of it.
As missionaries, we are not only called to seek a family where we’re placed to do the mission, but to also be the family wherever we are to complete the mission.
We always hear, “IT ALWAYS BEGINS WITH THE FAMILY.” It’s because at home – in our own families – we learn the attitude love takes… a love that has the ability to be open, vulnerable, and instill the Spirit to begin something new. In the family, we learn the comfort of a place to call HOME.
In understanding the beauty and the blessings of a HOME, we later begin to understand that “HOME” expands beyond the physical and expounds in the heart. So from beginning with family, it then ultimately BEGINS WITH THE HEART.
In finding a HOME in our HEARTS, we are able to carry an understanding that our hearts (being a home) carry life. It is a shelter for something that is living/ alive – THE HOLY SPIRIT.
In acknowledging that the Holy Spirit LIVES in a HOME that is always with us (in our hearts), then we can only come to the conclusion that…
There ultimately lies a call to BRING LIFE wherever we go.
WE ARE BLESSED TO BLESS AND BE BLESSED. As a missionary, I have found it easy to adjust to where I am… I am joyfully blessed. But the ultimate call of a missionary is NOT SOLELY to complete the work alone, but to be able to bring Life – His Presence – wherever we are called. Being a missionary for Couples for Christ here in Israel, the vision cannot be more clear…
FAMILIES in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth.
It’s back to the basics. Let it begin with FAMILY.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
Holy Family, please continue to be our example, and pray for us!
BARUCH HASHEM!
(PRAISE BE TO GOD!)