Turning Self-Limitations Into Pearls of Spiritual Power

A missionary who is really faithful is the joy of heaven and earth… Her virtues draw many souls to her and by her to Jesus – Mary of the Passion

With Sr. Marilen Oliva (Provincial) and FMM Sisters of the Sacred Heart Community Iligan

What a year full of love and blessings. As I finished my mission exposure with the sisters in the Sacred Heart Community, Iligan City, I am so grateful that God gave me and an opportunity to be a part of the sisters in the Philippines province, to experience their love, sisterhood, the missionary zeal, and the spirit of FMM lived out by the sisters there.

Mindanao Week of Peace with other religions

I’ve got so many valuable experiences and lessons that help me to grow better and deeper in the spirit of FMM. When I took part in the apostolate of the sisters, especially in Deus Caritas Village, I had an opportunity to train myself how to be a good missionary. The community gave me opportunity to accompany the youth, Sunday School, and the Children Choir. With the youth we have GSK/Bible Ecclesial Community once in a month, and I accompanied them to teach Sunday School. I am happy because with my educational background, I could help and motivate them to create a joyful and meaningful lessons for the children. Preparing reflection for the BEC meeting with the youth also encouraged me to be able to grow deeper in the Word of God and to share my journey of faith with them.

A visit in the Common English Novitiate Tagaytay

I learn also that the apostolate life is not always easy. I found out that sometimes there were only a few children who would come to the Sunday School, only a few youths attending the BEC, and it was not easy to call them for a meeting or to join the youth choir. But looking at the sisters in my community, who would keep going and doing what they can, I learn that this mission is actually not ours, but it belongs to God. We are just His instruments and all we can do is to keep going, doing what we can, and He would be the One who would make our effort and hard work bear fruits. In every mission or apostolate, I have to depend all in God’s love and power and to be always remain in Him as Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5)

Sunday School

My inability in speaking Bisaya also becomes a challenge for me to be involved fully in the apostolate. There are some things that I cannot do because of this limitation. But I realize that trough this limitation I could understand more the spirit of minority and poverty, that I am not yet perfect and I still need to improve and equipped myself with many more things to become a good missionary, to be humble, to appreciate other people with their strength and weaknesses, and also to accept and appreciate myself more.

After Bible sharing with youths

I’m also grateful to be a part of a small community where I can participate and contribute what I have for the community. Here, I learn to play my role as the member of the community, to practice a life of service and self-giving through small works like cooking, gardening, sewing, or cleaning up the house. When I face conflict or tension in the community, I learn to be more patient and to try to understand the situations of other people so I learn to forgive others.

Breaking the fasting during Ramadhan with the Moslems

This mission exposure also helps me to experience more about God’s love and providence.  Through the sisters and people I encountered, in every situation, I experienced how God loves me in a special way. His love sustains me and enable me to turn my weaknesses and limitations into pearls of spiritual power; minority, humility, patience, forgiveness, service, and communion.

“Do not hinder the divine plan! Do not be an artificial pearl! The pearls found in the sea are strong and do not break under pressure; artificial ones are only glass; they are beautiful to look at but so fragile that they are crushed by the slightest weight.” (MD 438)

Andriana Esti SETYAWATI, FMM
Emmaus Community, Bogor