Twenty

On August 7, 2012, I celebrated my 20^th anniversary of consecrating my life to Christ.  Much has happened during those 20 years, discoveries and events that I could never have imagined.  There was sin and pain contrasted by love and joy, failures and difficulties woven through triumphs and accomplishments, darkness and blindness followed by enlightenment and clarity.   Although I didn’t use the words “in good times and bad, for richer and for poor, in sickness and in health, until death do us part…” but isn’t that what I promised Christ, poverty, chastity and obedience?  I love my vocation to be consecrated to Christ in Regnum Christi, despite all our past history of errors, there has been a lot of good.  Personally, I have received so much! I have discovered and known deeply Christ as my best friend, my spouse, my God.  I don’t think I have a right to tell God He made a mistake in calling me to this group or that He should make sure things are done differently or that I will throw in the towel until He straightens things out a bit more.  Humanly, it sure would be nice to have a different past, a simpler future.  However, I continue to believe in the Regnum Christi Movement not because everything is done right but I trust in our papal delegate; and in God’s presence and His capacity to make Himself known through us, despite us!

One of the consecrated set up 20 votive candles on an altar of a small chapel in our house and left me the rite of consecration.  There, with my hands on the altar of sacrifice, I renewed my promises of poverty, chastity and obedience to Christ. Thank you, Jesus, for the grace of perseverance thus far!  Sustain me for another 20 years or until I join you for eternity! Thank you Jesus for your love and friendship, your trust in me despite my weaknesses!

Anniversary Candle

Another year,

a flame has spiraled down to its place

Illumination in obscurity

Beauty navigating to Truth

Melting core in silent oblation

A beacon, compass, warmth and fire

Eternity has felt its existence

The temporal prey is captured

Light for life and life for light

The flame has spoken

The world heeds its say

True life carves beyond the ephemeral

Luminosity carries into infinity

A life that is saved.