My name is Tanya and I am attending the mission trip to the Philippines this summer.
I am attending this mission trip for the sole reason of loving God. God has a great thirst for my love (and yours!). He wants my glances, my joys, my struggles, and my care. Every little thing I do with great love can console the heart of God. This is what I try to remind myself whenever I serve.
In the past, upon seeing people pan-handling, I used to always just avoid eye contact and quickly walk past them. Now, I have learned better not to judge people asking for alms because I have no right to judge them. However, when I give alms, I have settled for handing them money or food. That is it. No conversation. No connection. Just me passing on what I have to them.
Then I recalled that Jesus really knew how to spend time with people. In Mark 2, he ate with people described as tax collectors and sinners and who were disagreeable to the Pharisees. In Mark 1, when Jesus healed the man with leprosy, he reached out to the man and touched him. Jesus was very personal when he spent time with others. He had conversations. He made connections. He took the time to love.
Furthermore, there is Pope Francis. He, too, in imitation of Christ, has embraced all people by spending time with them and loving them. He, too, takes the time to love.
God helped me see Jesus and Pope Francis’ examples of love for what they truly are and He inspired me to do the same. So when I see someone asking for alms, I am challenged to actually have a conversation with them. Honestly, it is hard. It requires humility and sacrifice of time. For the times I succeeded in forgetting about myself and instead had conversations with those I met on the street, I became overwhelmed with joy. God was so kind to unite me in Jesus’ acts of love. I am learning to take my time to love, to console the heart of God.
Through this mission trip to the Philippines, I am praying that God will continue to unite me to His work of charity so that I may love the brothers and sisters I will meet and love God concurrently.
In Christ alone!
[This reflection is written by Tanya Uy, a member of the YCOM GAT Mission team heading to the Philippines this summer.]
I am attending this mission trip for the sole reason of loving God. God has a great thirst for my love (and yours!). He wants my glances, my joys, my struggles, and my care. Every little thing I do with great love can console the heart of God. This is what I try to remind myself whenever I serve.
In the past, upon seeing people pan-handling, I used to always just avoid eye contact and quickly walk past them. Now, I have learned better not to judge people asking for alms because I have no right to judge them. However, when I give alms, I have settled for handing them money or food. That is it. No conversation. No connection. Just me passing on what I have to them.
Then I recalled that Jesus really knew how to spend time with people. In Mark 2, he ate with people described as tax collectors and sinners and who were disagreeable to the Pharisees. In Mark 1, when Jesus healed the man with leprosy, he reached out to the man and touched him. Jesus was very personal when he spent time with others. He had conversations. He made connections. He took the time to love.
Furthermore, there is Pope Francis. He, too, in imitation of Christ, has embraced all people by spending time with them and loving them. He, too, takes the time to love.
God helped me see Jesus and Pope Francis’ examples of love for what they truly are and He inspired me to do the same. So when I see someone asking for alms, I am challenged to actually have a conversation with them. Honestly, it is hard. It requires humility and sacrifice of time. For the times I succeeded in forgetting about myself and instead had conversations with those I met on the street, I became overwhelmed with joy. God was so kind to unite me in Jesus’ acts of love. I am learning to take my time to love, to console the heart of God.
Through this mission trip to the Philippines, I am praying that God will continue to unite me to His work of charity so that I may love the brothers and sisters I will meet and love God concurrently.
In Christ alone!
[This reflection is written by Tanya Uy, a member of the YCOM GAT Mission team heading to the Philippines this summer.]