“Here I am!”
With a big smile, I said this one simple line as I took a step to be officially commissioned as a full time missionary in Pure Heart Philippines. I can’t describe what I felt at that moment—nervous yet giddy, scared yet joyful. But surely, my heart was filled with a certain peace.
I remember the first time that I learned about being a missionary. In a bulletin board, there was a poster that says, “Be a missionary in Africa!” That time, my notion of being a missionary was just to leave everything behind, go to a foreign place, and be one with those in need. I thought that I can’t be a real missionary if I am still a student or if I have work or if I take other responsibilities.
By God’s grace and with the help of our community, I discover more deeply that God thirsts for me and He calls me for something greater—to love as He loves me. He is asking me to be a vessel of His love to others. This is my mission. This is our mission. Yes, we are all called to bring Jesus in every street and every corner, in all our deeds and words. The love of God that we have received is not meant just to be kept to ourselves. In fact, it is His love in us that transforms our hearts and moves us to be a true gift to others. He does not even require us to be extraordinary or to have the perfect skills to carry out His mission. He only asks us to receive Him and allow Him to work in and through us. With Him, our little yes can work wonders in the lives of the people whom we encounter.
Being a missionary in Pure Heart has been a great help in my daily purification, especially in becoming God’s love to others. It is such a great joy and a humbling experience to see how God works through me in welcoming the youth back to Him and touching their hearts in a special way to receive His love for them.
“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38). This simple yet profound yes of Mama Mary to receive Jesus has changed the course of our history. Filled with this great love, she went in haste to be of service to her cousin Elizabeth. Every time I feel so small and unworthy in fulfilling God’s mission, I always remember the simplicity of Mama Mary. In her own little ways, she’s able to live and share the immense love of God. This is a great reminder and consolation to us. Wherever we are, that is God’s mission for us—to be a bearer of His love! Let us always ask Mama Mary to help us in our daily fiat to God.
Written by Rhea Sescon. Rhea has been serving Pure Heart Philippines since 2014, and is a full-time missionary for 2020-2021.
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