FEARS

#focus
#focus

After our first meeting with SFC MVs Canada, I had a hard time absorbing all the things  we talked about. In my head I understood everything, I guess. I have my notes, they are clear and complete. Sis. Evony emailed us the minutes of the meeting, so I think I have all the information I need from that meeting, at least to go through all our assignments and what to expect from us before our next meeting. Jerry and Khristine even came to my apartment to discuss about what we need to do, but seriously things weren’t sinking in to me, until the following weekend when I went back to my notes and emails and Facebook notifications from Tito George and the MV Heads. That’s when I finally say (and accepted to myself), this is it… for real.

Whether things were not sinking in to me, or I was just denying it, I don’t know. But one thing is for sure: Deep within, I am excited. A little bit scared, yes… Those fears that occasionally flash in my mind – the fear of not being able to do what I said yes to, the fear of not being able to spend time with my family, my close friends and our households, the fear of being addicted to service (yes I even fear that), the fear of not focusing on my job… these random thoughts distract me.

But you know what, I thank God for these fears. Because when fears come in, that is when I start to run to Him and to trust Him. When I feel scared, that is when I appreciate an inspirational message from a distant friend, that’s when God let me see Jessica’s photo (YFC MV) with Tito Eric saying “we fight a good fight”, that’s when I see Gelo’s reflections and Vanessa’s posts about the PEI mission, that is when I come across with Kari Jobe’s “Forever”. When I fear, that’s when I pray harder and suddenly get affirmed that God is with me and there’s really nothing to worry about.

There is, and there will always be one solution to all our worries and fears: Prayers. In the first place, prayer is what took all of us in this mission. We personally prayed for this! Lots of people prayed for our discernments. So whenever we’re making a decision and we knew that prayers played a big role in it, friends, we are on the right track. Stay faithful. Keep praying.  #jet

Prayer Partners

Today, my Prayer Partner, a seminarian, is being ordained into the transitional diaconate. This means that in only a short time, he will be ordained a priest! Wow!

I was assigned this person as a prayer partner last year by our Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the archdiocese. Our director started this idea of having every single Priest, Seminarian, Religious Brother and Sister who is serving our archdiocese, be assigned to someone of the lay community in order for that someone to pray for their assigned Priest, Seminarian, etc. Now this isn’t like Pen Pals and there is no direct communication involved. All they know is that I am praying for them in their journey.

How important it is for us to not only continue praying for our own vocations, but also for those who answered the call to religious life -our future Priests, Deacons and Religious Brothers and Sisters. Those who have courageously consecrated their entire lives to God, in service and in love for one another. They need our prayers, too.

I thank God for the gift of being able to pray for this brother, and ask you to join me in lifting up all those who have or are preparing to consecrate their lives through their vocation.