Discovering me … the journey begins

Provincia Filippine - Australia - Saipan - Taiwan

Inserita il: 28/11/2012

2 commentario(i) ...

What is a modular class all about? Is it a series of modules, but what kind of modules? Who will be joining the classes? What is its importance? Is it the same as the classes in school with different subjects? Do I need to pass them all? I asked those questions because I was completely clueless about it. After all, what will I get from these modules? However, each time I attended a modular class, little by little God revealed the answers to my questions. Participating at the different modular classes for the past months has been a big help for me in discovering and knowing myself. Everything is new: new encounter, new experience, new knowledge, new discoveries, new learnings, new friends and places. Through them, a meaningful bridge to many relationships were constructed in my life. I am truly privileged to be part of these modular classes!

The first month of the modular class has been exciting “first time” experiences-- first time to be in the SVD seminary, to be included in this batch 2012, to meet new people who eventually became my classmates and friends-- to be a part of their journey as they respond to God’s call, and to share myself to each of them. Finally, it was my first time to have a glimpse of the answers to all my questions. However, even with these experiences, I admit that I still don’t understand many event around me. Are we all called by God? How come after this journey some are leaving? Some are not moving. Some seem to be contented where they are. Is this really part of our journey in life?

As I continue journeying in each particular modular class, I was able to open myself little by little. There was also a time that I felt so alone and insecure with the numbers of the other congregations’ formands, feeling un-recognized because I had no batchmate. However, I realized I was mistaken, because being alone is not really an issue or a problem in discovering myself, nor it is a hindrance to continue my journey in formation. Our modular class opened the door to many opportunities to be with myself, to many possibilities and chances to listen to what God wants to reveal to me day by day—to discover my hidden talents and develop them—to get in touch with my values—to identify my generation from the others, and the chance to be at home with my sisters in the community. More importantly, I had the rare chance to question my motivation why I entered the religious life, and the chance to recognize the voice of God from among the many voices around.

As days passed by, I continue to understand and assimilate every detail from the modules. I realized that the different topics presented and explored by the different speakers were pointed at only one thing—that is, to know and understand ourselves better, to know the One who calls us, and be more prepared to experience what life is all about. This journey is God’s gift to all He calls, because knowing and accepting the mystery of life is our tool in facing the many challenges ahead of us. Getting in touch with the roots and wings of my personhood helps me a lot, as well as the different processing I went through: on self, human life, values, discernment, religious life and about other people. I learned that reflecting on my choice in life plays a vital factor in discovering myself, most specially when dealing with other people, with the community and the apostolate. All of these are needed in facing the realities of life and applying what I have learned. The gradual but continuous self-discovery is one of the most important learning I got from this modular class, namely: what I need to improve, to develop, to do and not to do, what I need for healing and forgiveness, and those I still need to learn. Another important learning I had is the courage to go back to my past no matter how painful it was in order to understand better my present life and allow myself to be changed by the grace of God inside-out in the future. However, knowing myself is not enough; what matters is being more and becoming more, because everything has been figured out before the eyes of God. Moreover, our modular class taught us also to share ourselves with others, to build relationships with the other congregations, to establish friendships which we hope, will pass the tests of time—wherein friends will still be friends because of meaningful memories shared together as deep foundation of our friendship, from which we learned to help one another and to give importance by listening and accompanying each other in our joys and struggles. Most of all, it is in showing respect for each individual differences, mutual exchange of thoughts, insights and feelings, that openness of self has become a tremendous source of joy to all of us in this journey.

Thanks to this rare opportunity given to me, where I learned to share myself deeply and trust others more. This modular class is not only meant to continue discovering myself, but more so, it serves as stepping stone to meeting my God in me who promise to make me whole again one day from being broken in life. However, to make this happen, sharing and giving without expecting in return, is the price I must be ready to pay, and giving life to the present moment begins my voluntary contribution. I sincerely commit to allow myself to be surprised by the unfolding of the mystery and revelation of God’s gift to me—a journey towards my being—becoming and begetting. Truly, self discovery is a journey of faith towards a fuller life in the heart of my God!

Aspirant: Cyrel B. Peralta