The snow has finally come to Long Island! As things are a little slower than usual, I have had some extra time to think about this week’s reflection. Several factors entered into what I am going to share with you: a snowy day, memories of the Alleghany Neuman Group that came for service week each January, and a line from scripture that I cant get out of my head. Without further ado… here we go!
“What do you desire?” Jesus asked. Another translation read “What are you after?”
These were the first words spoken by Him. No great teaching or exhortation, no sermon or declaration of who He was, just a simple question. Since those words began occupying my thoughts, I wondered what it might have meant to the Apostles then, and also to me today. Somehow, it must have challenged the Apostles, as they had to look inward and ask themselves that same question. At the time, the answers may have varied and perhaps changed in time. For me, it has been an ongoing question.
Deciding to live my life as a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth some 60 years ago was the answer to that question. The answer has changed as time passed and life changed with its joys, challenges, and personal growth. The good news is that the answer is always evolving and making changes to who I am. I think that is why Jesus asked the Apostles that question, so they could look inward and discover themselves. I am grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had to answer that question differently.
With that in mind, I want to share with you a memory that I came across in reading ‘old reflections’. While living in Des Plaines, I had the privilege to work and be with groups of students from Alleghany College. Each January, on the last week of the vacation, they came to offer a week of service with and for us in our home and the local community. Those were grace-filled years and I am blessed to have had them. I was thinking that they may have asked themselves the question ‘What do you desire?’ or ‘what are you after?’ with the simple response ‘to participate in a week of service with my friends’. I want to share with you some of their thoughts after the week.
The comments remain anonymous.
“This trip taught me about the value of going outside of my comfort zone. The entire time we were going over the schedule for the week a lot of the activities were not what I was expecting. You could say that I was a nervous wreck. I honestly was not sure how I was going to survive so far out of my comfort zone. After pushing myself, I found myself growing…”
“I have been reminded of how much God loves me and been able to learn a little more about myself, I am grateful for the wonderful people we have met here and cannot thank you enough for opening your home and heart to us.”
“We all have a journey to take and the destination is only the ending – how we get there is what will define us once we reach it.”
“I prayed that God would give me a sign that what I was doing He had planned for me. Lo and behold, while I was sorting clothing donated to Brother Michael, I found an Introductory to Biochemistry book. It just so happens that is my major. Like Sister T says “God really has a sense of humor!”
“Being here this week has meant more to me than I could put into words. Everything from the energy I felt when I walked through the doors to the spirits that have touched my heart. Something I heard earlier in the week is how we could turn the corner tomorrow and meet someone that changes our life forever and this is exactly what I felt happened to me this week.”
What about you? What do you desire? What are you after? Take the time to do some soul searching and see if you have an answer, or if the answer you already had has changed over the years. You may just be surprised!
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
