Author: Lara Suarez

Celebrations for the new year have long since passed, and too quickly I found myself half-way through February wondering where the time has gone.

To sum up the past month and a half: my cup overflows!

Many times throughout this past year, the Lord has reminded me “be not afraid”. My batch of Mission Volunteers were called “Fearless”. He has assured me over and over to not fear His plan, and promises His unwavering faithfulness. He is beyond any of my expectations, any hopes or dreams.

“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)

Reflecting on this past year as a Mission Volunteer, I cannot be any more thankful for being in this program. I remember a homily from Fr. Jeffrey exactly a year ago at Discovery Camp, telling us, You know that ache in your heart? That tug that God is calling you to do something? Go for it. Follow it. Answer it. Do not find yourself years later, regretting that you didn’t and wondering how things would be different.

I am thankful that I am allowed to be a Mission Volunteer for another year and intensify my prayers and discernment for my vocation. Through this program, I am reminded of God’s greater plan and rest assured the mission of Christ in CFC-Youth will not stop. Though at times I am overwhelmed with all that needs to be done, and what I still need to do, pausing and reflecting on this exact moment in time… where I am in my life, what He’s taken me through, what He’s revealed to me… I cannot deny the blessings that come when you fully trust and say “YES” to the Lord. Indeed, He will bless your Yes!

St. Patrick’s Parish, taken during Advent 2012

Though it may not look like much on the outside, this parish holds some of my most treasured memories and experiences. Whether it be attending Mass, teaching Catechism, hanging out with SPYC, or just silently sitting alone in one of the pews, it always feels like home.

How beautiful you are, Bride of Christ! Let me never tire in your mission of gathering your children to the eternal Wedding Feast.

One of the aspects I find most beautiful about community life is the idea of journeying together. We are pilgrim people. Our journeys are not to be made alone.

The people I have journeyed with and continue to journey with have had an enormous effect on my life. I have encountered Christ in each one of them. I’ve witnessed the miracles of Christ through these people. Among these people, I have seen a glimpse of Heaven.

We encounter Christ in others. From witnessing to their personal conversions; from their triumphs and joys to their struggles. Christ is made real through our relationships, through the love and the bond we share. It’s difficult to be a Catholic without community life. To be Catholic we are always called to go beyond ourselves. Our faith life is centred on communion. Communion with others, communion of the saints and angels, … with our Beloved Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist. The love of the Father, Son and Spirit is a communion of love. This relationship, this communion of Three Persons in One God, is the kind of relationship that Christ taught us to have as brothers and sisters.

So, my brother, my sister,… let us continue this journey together! You are not alone!

We are one in You, Lord.

***

See, I leave the past behind;
a new land calls to me.
Here among you now I find
a glimpse of what might be.

I have fixed my eyes on your hills,
Jerusalem, my Destiny!
Though I cannot see the end for me,
I cannot turn away.
We have set our hearts for the way;
this journey is our destiny.
Let no one walk alone.
The journey makes us one.

—“Jerusalem, My Destiny”

 

All that I am
Sings of the God who brings new life
To birth in me
My spirit soars
On the wings of my Lord

My mission.

We all have a mission. Jesus had a mission. Mary had a mission. We are baptized into a missionary Church. The Catholic Church is a mission. The mission is personal. The mission is real. The mission requires all of you. The mission He has revealed to me, I now recognize is His way to use me to build up His kingdom, to make His glory known and to spread love to others.

Like fire struck my heart, in the most gentlest way, our God speaks and His voice transcends my being. Today, I thank our Most Generous, All-knowing God for revealing to me His personal mission for my life. As if all my days were made for this purpose. As if who I am, the charism He gifted me, who He created me to be, was for this.

Our mission was born in the Father’s heart. The mission was written in my heart all along.

My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and be glad. -Psalm 34:2

As transitions are currently happening all over CFC-Youth Canada, I can’t help but think that change isn’t easy. And as obvious as that statement is, one must also remember that sometimes although change isn’t easy – it is necessary.

Change is necessary for growth -for one cannot stay exactly the same and experience growth.

This year, I was faced with so many personal changes in my life. I was pushed out of my comfort zone, experiencing vulnerability on a whole other level, security blankets being taken away… change was happening all around me, and I realize in midst of these changes, God was calling me to grow. 

Just as seeds are first cultivated and given time to grow, the purpose of those seeds were to bear fruit. We are all called to grow. We are all called to bear fruit.

As transitions are happening and leaders are changing, growing… I cannot help but thank God for the abundance of fruit He has promised us. May God continue to keep us fruitful and faithful, as long as we remain in Him.

John 15:5

 

“If the Church was a body composed of different members, it couldn’t lack the noblest of all; it must have a Heart, and a Heart BURNING WITH LOVE. And I realized that this love alone was the true motive and force which enabled the other members of the Church to act; if it ceased to function, the Apostles would forget to preach the gospel, the Martyrs would refuse to shed their blood. LOVE, IN FACT, IS THE VOCATION WHICH INCLUDES ALL OTHERS; IT’S A UNIVERSE OF ITS OWN, COMPRISING ALL TIME AND SPACE -IT’S ETERNAL!”

-St. Thérèse of Lisieux

As Mission Volunteers, those discerning to be Full Time Pastoral Workers, majority of the time the question that crosses our heads are “what am I willing to give up?” 

It’s the norm for young adults in their twenties to either be: in school to finish a degree, graduated and looking for work, or already working. We think about the things we are to sacrifice: all those spent years, time and money at school, a secure and steady job, the familiar faces of family, close friends, relationships… the thought of letting go or being apart can discourage our hearts, and weaken the fire within us. 

It’s true. Many times in my discernment, I’ve had these thoughts, these worries, these doubts. Voices of people in my head, that make me feel like I need to justify this call. If only they can see the pain in my heart, because of this call. If only they can see how my soul longs to say “Yes” to Jesus, and that what I’m actually discerning for, is not only to be a FTPW or my vocation, but instead for that “Yes” that puts me at complete and total surrender to Him. The “Yes” that let’s His will be done. The “Yes” that was written in my life. The “Yes” I long for. The “Yes” that leads me to Whom I long for.

So, out of all those things what am I willing to give up? Nothing. Because I have nothing.

Those years and money spent on school? They are all His.

My secure and steady job? Not mine, but His.

My family, friends, relationships? Gifted to me, but are all His.

Instead, what I’m willing to give up is my idleness, complacency, mediocrity, and ignorance. I am willing to tune out the voices of this world, and focus on The One who spoke not in my ears, but to my heart. I am willing to finally let Him lead. I am willing to trust, to be vulnerable, to be loved… to love.

Jesus, I trust in You. Lead me to the “Yes” that God has prepared. Keep my discernment, and the discernment of my fellow MVs pure. Protect us Lord, from any evil or doubt or worries that lead us away from You. Allow us to focus on Your voice, to let The Spirit lead, and to trust in Your promises. Amen.