Tag: surrender

Counting Costs.

On selflessness.

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The moment we start seeing our service just as a source of many costs (goals in life, time with family, excellence in school, hours of sleep, relationships, etc.) rather than a gift with many blessings (personal ones, not just fruits or victories in service), we are in trouble. For God always seeks to bless us and not harm us.  (Insp. Jeremiah 29:11)

When Christ agonized about his mission in the garden of Gethsemane, he did not spend his time there counting the costs of it. Rather, completely vulnerable and honest before the Father, He lifted the entirety of his weakened will to Him. Abba,[a] Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” – Mark 14:36

When I start to feel the weight of many costs, my response is an immediate submission of my one will. What a blessing it is to have moments of ‘agony’ that allow me to become fully aware of the weight of my mission. Yes, it stirs me, it bothers me and it does hurt some times. But I find myself no longer complacent or ‘lukewarm’. Reinvigorated, I re-offer my “Yes” to Him, and engage in it, commit to it wholeheartedly once again. Luke 1:38- Lord, may it be done to me according to your word… Not mine.

The consequence of Jesus completing His mission is the gift of salvation for all. The fruits of His mission were never meant for Himself, but for us. He freely accepted death, so that we may be the ones that would have new life in Him and with Him.

One of the most rewarding things about mission is counting the many personal encounters with the Lord I am able to recognize, especially when all I see around me are costs. In my prayer time, I see parts of Jesus’ agony to have also included the counting of costs for us- of every single person of the world, had his weakened will kept him from carrying out his mission. But gratefully, this lead him to be even more resigned to carry through.

Lord, out of love for us, you have always been single-minded for us. Grant us the grace to live solely for you by striving to be always forever mindful of your people in all that we do.

 

From Your Beloved,

@ Cinderellish

The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic 3/4 – Generosity

Generosity or charity is the life of a Christian-Catholic. This attribute is of monumental importance and at the same time, the very essence of what it means to be Catholic. We only need to think of Jesus Christ who was the Servant of all. Even the Vicar of Christ, the Pope, is called to be the ‘servant of the servants of God.’ To put it simply, to be Catholic is to give our lives  to God and to our neighbour without expecting anything in return for “you received without pay, give without pay.” (Mt 10:8).

The only way to be truly happy is to give our lives away. We know this because of the Cross. Thus, let us continue to ask the Lord “how are you calling me to surrender my life to You?” and respond courageously to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to lay down our lives each day.

“Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Indeed, those who enjoy life most are those who leave security on the shore and become excited by the mission of communicating life to others.” –Pope Francis

 

Prayer of Surrender and Generosity

Years ago when I was in despair, a sister in Christ, Catherine Quinto (now a nun), sent me two prayers that became very dear to me, even to this day.  I hope these prayers help you as much as they have helped me.

Both are by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Prayer of Surrender

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess You have given me: I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more.

Prayer of Generosity

Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do your will.

Amen.

 

Only This I Want

The other day, someone asked me this mind-numbing question, “What is it exactly do you want out of life?”.  I admit, I was quite taken aback by this question.  It seems like such an easy question to answer but for some reason I couldn’t find the exact words and I was left speechless.  Maybe it was because I was overthinking the question.  Perhaps I couldn’t find the right words to say just exactly was in my heart..

The Lord knew exactly what was stirring in my heart.  Later that day I went to mass for the second time (Feast of St. Augustine deserves double Jesus) and the Lord answered for me.  The offeratory hymn was a song that is quite common and is well known to any avid church-goer.  It goes a little something like this:

Only this I want:
but to know the Lord,
and to bear his cross,
so to wear the crown he wore.

All but this is loss,
worthless refuse to me,
for to gain the Lord
is to gain all I need.

I will run the race;
I will fight the good fight,
so to win the prize
of the kingdom of my Lord.

Let your heart be glad,
always glad in the Lord,
so to shine like stars
in the darkness of the night.

Even when I was left without words to express, He knew exactly what was in my heart and he gave me an oppurtunity to serenade him with this beautiful hymn. 

Lord, thank you for knowing me so intimately, and may my life be solely yours to behold – only You shall I want.

Amen

 

 

The Journey of Our Yes

March 7-9 2008, was the weekend that changed my life whether I knew it or not. This was the weekend of my very first CFC-Youth Camp, Camp Radiance. Joining at the age of 14 I really didn’t know much of what the ministry was about. Like most teens I joined because my friends were going. But there was something about CFC-Youth that captured my heart.

Recently I’ve been reflecting on my journey within this community. Many may say 5 years isn’t very long but as we approach March 7th, it feels like it’s been a long journey. These 5 years have impacted my life tremendously. Through every struggle and every bit of joy and happiness I felt within the 5 years of being a part of this community has allowed me to be captivated by Christ Himself. There is no doubt have I fallen and wandered off the path God has planted for me but I have witnessed God’s merciful and everlasting Love within this community. This community has taught me about who I am and who God calls me to be.

Through my journey with actively serving in CFC-Youth the Lord has blessed me with so many opportunities to serve and has truly pushed me to go over my limits. I’ve been so blessed with serving in this community, whether it was through my households, serving kids, being a youth advocate, and the times the Lord has allowed me to share my personal victory to thousands of youth around the world, truly I must say these 5 years have been blessed.

CFC-Youth has allowed me not only to serve others but to serve God. I have fallen in love with God through the journey He has put me through. It truly amazes me of how beautiful God’s plan works. He amazes me, every single day of my life. Who would have known, 14-year old Nikki, 5 years later, would be where I am now a Mission Volunteer, discerning for Full-time Pastoral Work. I never knew it could be possible. The fear and uncertainty we may feel is nothing compared to the love and grace we receive when we say yes and when we open our hearts and minds to what God has in store. The willingness and the surrender of our yeses allows us to fully place our trust in God. Many times I’ve felt unworthy and doubtful but all these blessings and this beautiful journey God has placed in my life wouldn’t of happened if I didn’t make that one yes to attending my first Youth Camp, 5 years ago. It is only through the faithful yeses we make throughout our lives we may encounter this journey with Christ.

As CFC-Youth, we are all called to journey with the Lord. Allowing His radiance to shine through all clouds in the sky. The Lord simply asks for our YES to journey with Him. Will you follow?

Obey and Witness

“Do whatever He tells you” – John 2:5

Benedictus Deus in Saecula