In two months – to the day – I will be celebrating 18 years of my first yes to Christ. This morning I was in a chapel with more than 30 Missionaries of Charity. The chapel was all “dressed up”: Our Lady had a beautiful blue and white background, colorful flowers surrounding the altar, the nicest table cloth covering the altar, shining gold vessels, it was all out there. Why? Two sisters, Sr. Marie Joie MC and Sr. Marie Carmeli MC, were renewing their vows.
During the offertory we sang a song that said: “I have given You all, all my dreams and my fears, all my life, my God. You have called me by name, I belong now to You, only You for all time.” In that moment I went back to the moment when I said yes, and like that, I went back, I saw my 18 years pass by in front of me…dreams? Back on the first day I dreamed of saving the world, doing great things, accomplishing great works.
After 18 years those dreams are gone, but the same fire is within me. This school year of 2012 -2013, Missions Youth has directed more than 18 international missions with 436 missionaries. 436 young people that have encountered and served Christ, with the poorest of the poor here in Haiti or with the less fortunate of Mexico. Young hearts searching for more, trying to satisfy the longings of their hearts, trying to give meaning to their lives.
During thanksgiving, after communion, I looked up and I read the famous words “I Thirst”. That’s what it is all about, satisfying the Thirst of Christ! Satisfying my own thirst; satisfying the thirst of the young people.
As always, Christ is loud and clear. After a brief silence the choir started singing and the refrain was: “I Thirst is the word of desire. I Thirst is my call. I Thirst is my answer. ”
So, here I am in Haiti with 40 missionaries that are giving their all to Christ for a week and, I hope, will continue doing so wherever God may lead them. And as for me I will continue, with God’s grace, giving Christ my all, all my dreams and my fears, all my life…He called me by name, I belong to Him. “I Thirst” is my call. “I Thirst” is my answer.
