Choices

‘Two roads diverged in the woods and I, I took the road less travelled by and that has made all the difference.’ (Robert Frost). To these words of Robert Frost I would add: That was the right Choice made, with deep reflection and conviction. Since then, there was no turning back, only moving forward with Hope and resilience.

The joy of Consecrated life is living for God and for others. As Religious, we are called to walk in the footsteps of the Lord therefore one goes to places, where others dare not venture as it contains risk and dangers , but it is in such areas or places that one experiences the providence , presence and friendship of the Lord tangibly. This is how Consecrated persons make a difference by their presence and daring even to risking life, serving others with love. Consecrated life is a radical choice where in an age, the primary values are money, power and sex, for someone to choose poverty, obedience and chastity is of radical and courageous choice. This life is so beautiful and meaningful even with its constraints and I feel that it is worth embracing, since one touches lives serving with love. A consecrated person wants to be truly human, with the people of this world and for the people of this world.

When we love everyone with compassion, we want justice done to them. When we see tyranny and injustice, not questioning is not possible. Being quietly pious and holy within ourselves is not possible. Our seeking God and sharing our God experience will not alienate us from responding to their needs and concerns. Through prayer, and meditation, our ideas of truth, justice, love and compassion gets recharged and at times begins to question reality.

Pope Francis exhorts the consecrated persons with this message: Dear friends, today let us renew our consecration! Even if at times we experience fatigue and weariness, let us do as Simeon and Anna did. They did not allow themselves to be robbed of the joy of the encounter with the Lord.

May this Jubilee year remind us, that journeying together as pilgrims of Hope, we pray for parents, to encourage their own children to answer the call of God to join the band of consecrated men and women.