True North Missionaries Journal

My attention was drawn at the back when I heard a loud honk. Did I not park properly? I asked myself.
A car was trying to parallel park. Just by looking on how she positioned the car, I can tell she’s not used to parallel park, like me:) Unfortunately the pick up truck driver behind honked his horn impatiently.  The woman did what she can to let the truck pass, still not properly parked. Another car was waiting, so the woman did not move to signal the other car, who’s driver was a young lady, to pass too. The young lady drove a bit forward and stopped where the woman would see her. At that moment I thought she was gonna yell at her  but she waved her hand, smiled and she directed the woman using her hand to back up more. She helped her instead! When the woman was properly parked, the young lady waved again, smiled and drove.

We can always choose to help. But most of the time it’s more convenient not to. The choice is always ours. When we choose to help and be kind to people we know and we don’t,  there’s always a possibility that they pay it forward, ripple effect it is.  If they don’t pay it forward, it’s really up to them. It is not our responsibility to transform other people, but we are responsible to bring Christ to people and we are responsible to love them. To help can be a very good way of bringing Christ to others. Simple act with great impact.

 

 

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged… it’s been awhile since I’ve made an entry… it’s been awhile since I’ve stayed connected.

 

.. yea, it has been awhile.

 

In this world filled with roaring noise and powerful voices, The Lord somehow kept me silent. Maybe he wanted me to observe, to see, or to spectate. Often my thoughts and desires may be selfish, which hinders myself to love the Lord more.

 

Or maybe, He wanted me to listen when I was stubborn, and for my heart not to be hardened.

 

“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray”

 

The Lord truly speaks in silence, He made me understand and appreciate the things I excel in, as well the things where I had opportunities to grow. A brother of mine reminded me of the importance of prayer and discernment. To allow oneself to make mistakes and learn from them, and to encourage me not to stay passive all the time, but to have conviction in all things.

 

A good sister of mine once said, “stay true to what you said yes to”. That was a powerful message through a very gentle voice. I felt moved, and have been woken up, and I needed it.

 

A true and gentle reminder that the Mission never sleeps.

That the Mission flows continuously,

That the Mission is Relentless.

 

My Lord and My God, thank you for blessing me everyday, whether big or small, your kindness and mercy is ever so beautiful. Lord, allow me to journey with you always, whether it may be in this program or not. Allow me to see the fruits that You have planted in me. And lastly, help me take action for my mission, so that I may give you glory in my everyday life.

 

Amen.

 

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”

Sometimes grace is violent… sometimes God wants His life in you so much that it’s going to come in ways that mean you’re going to suffer. Not because He wills it but because He permits it. It says in Hebrews “I will shake you.” And I will shake all created things until all that is left is what is uncreated, what is unshakeable. Put simply — ‘Sometimes I’m going to let you suffer. I’m going to shake you free of all those things that you’ve put in place of my grace, in place of my life in you, until all that’s left is my life in you. Until all you can cling to… is me.

“God is always creating” – Ok, so maybe it was said a little more eloquently than that during one of the homilies at Mass last week, but that was the main message. It got me thinking: Creation didn’t stop after the 6th day, and God didn’t just say, “That’s it. Everything is made. I’m done!”

Creation of our bodies, our hearts, and all the beautiful things in and around us in this world were the first things. However, that’s only one type of creation, and God certainly didn’t stop then. It’s a great reminder that God is continuously creating. He never stopped, and He never will. He creates moments for us to cherish, He creates opportunities for us to grow, He creates hiccups for us to learn.

There are new things around us every single day. Lord, help me to open my eyes and ears to see and hear your new creations everyday.

Lord, thank You for relentlessly pursuing me. You not only meet me in my joys, but also in my sorrows. You meet me where I am as I am. Lord, thank You.

Divine Heart of Jesus and Loving Heart of Mary, be with me always.
Jezu, ufam Tobie.

Alma, buscarte has en mí  – St. Teresa of Avila

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Soul, you must seek yourself in me
And in yourself must seek for me.

Such is the power of love’s impress,
O soul, to engrave you on my heart,
That any craftsman must confess
He never could have the same success,
However superlative his art.

It was by love that you were made
Lovely and beautiful to be;
So, if by chance you should have strayed,
Upon my heart you are portrayed.
Soul, you must seek yourself in me.

For well I know that you will see
Yourself engraved upon my breast—
An image vividly impressed—
And then you will rejoice to be
So safely lodged, so highly blest.

And if by chance you do not know
Where to go in quest of me,
Do not go far my face to see,
Searching everywhere high and low,
But in yourself must seek for me.

For, soul, in you I am confined,
You are my dwelling and my home;
And if one day I chance to find
Fast-closed the portals of your mind
I ask for entrance when I come.

Oh, do not seek me far away,
For, if you would attain to me,
You only need my name to say
And I’ll be there without delay.
Look in yourself to seek for me.