After experiencing my first SFC International Conference in the Philippines I was drawn to the simplest encounters of Christ in the eyes a child. During the pre-ICON immersion activities, I was able to visit an orphanage and home for young pregnant women known as Grace to be Born. Upon entry into the facility, we were welcomed by a handful of babies in cribs getting up and waving franticly at the numerous faces walking past. Many of us were taken by surprise because of the initial thought of encountering older children, but there they were little babies in cribs. The group consisted of brothers and sisters from around the world and various tongues, but the greatest obstacle was to communicate with these children. Despite having a difference in tongue, the group was reminded that as people of God, we all spoke and understood the language of love. Each communicated this special language in the various interactions, facial expressions, and laughter between the children.
A very special Jesus moment presented itself in the eyes of a very cute and gentle child dressed in purple. Many members of the group took turns trying to rock the child to sleep and a sister and I were challenged to do the same. I held the child in my arms and began a gentle rocking side to side. Resting in my arm, the child and I stared at each other. As we rocked from side to side, the sister simply joined the motion and began singing to the child. The child began losing the fight to stay awake and fell asleep in my arms.
In my reflection of this moment, I was honoured to receive Christ in the eyes of the child. I was also taken back at the idea that this child was waiting to be adopted and that this may be of few encounters since she was placed for adoption to be in the arms of a man.
“A word or smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul.”
-St Thérèse de Lisieux
Yours in Christ,
Cristopher Sy