“Stay CALM… and know He is God!”

 

What a perfect gospel story as we come together today. Even ever-composed Mary panics and gets anxious as Jesus is not found “with the group/caravan.” 3 days of search, must have been unnerving. But Jesus is calm, oblivious even, at His parents’ anxiety. “Why the worry, didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” And for today, as we gather, amidst so much uncertainty and doubt and fear around, maybe to tell us, “why the worry, I am here, before the Father – for you! If only… you learn to settle down and trust.” So, Sr Susay, as we celebrate this milestone with you, in this time so uncertain, as you move to an unfamiliar new assignment, I’d say, be like Jesus, our model and goal, stay CALM!!! Stay Consistent, Appreciative, Loving, Merciful. C-A-L-M.

C – Stay Consistent

As you look back to a vocation journey so mysterious, so difficult to explain yet so beautiful, a story with different twists and turns – we are here primarily because of God’s faithfulness beyond our own. And so, the only return we can offer is also to try to live a life of fidelity and consistency to and with Him. Far from perfect yet what we offer, we offer wholeheartedly. Holding close to heart always that which is beautiful, steady – God’s very presence Himself. We are able to live faithfully, consistently when we fix our gaze upon Him and Him alone. Then everything else becomes relative.

A- Stay Appreciative

In a world that has become more and more toxic, frustrating – there is always the temptation to give in to the negativity, suck life out of people, complain about almost everything. But not in our vocation. We are always invited to bear witness to the joy of faith, the joy of our believing. Our faith is a joyful faith, after all we are children of Easter morn. It is a joy that emanates from grateful hearts, appreciative hearts. And when we begin to see the world with eyes of gratitude, we begin to forge hearts of hope, hopeful hearts – because we can claim nothing as our own – our achievements, our gifts as much as our shadows, everything become but possibilities… because of love. And in gratitude, we go forth, trusting!

L – Stay Loving

Ster, please don’t lose that gentle heart of yours – always ready to respond, to care, to risk. Eternally grateful I am for your assistance and support those years at APS. How, in your simple ways, you have accompanied students struggling, lost, tired, how you accompanied us. I am sure you will be missed. (teka, alam na ba nila hehe).

Yet, isn’t our vocation precisely rooted in love – being loved first of all by the great lover Himself who brought us all here. Undeserved but lovingly conceded to us, for us.. inviting us. And this is the loving we are called to, our keeping others from shattering. Our loving is hopefully to be that pillar of hope and faith for our hurting world today. To allow ourselves to be that presence that keeps others from crumbling, from feeling lost when all else have become so dark and cold and lonely.

M – Be Merciful

Mercy is the bedrock of our faith. It is what allows us a glimpse of the Divine. We are here today, Sister, witnessing the very mercy of God. Beyond our woundedness, our personal dramas, here we are… And so we are gently invited to allow our hearts that mercy too. That we mirror in our lives the compassion who is Jesus. Our commitments, our yeses, define the persons we become and are. Imperfect, struggling, yet confident in the love and mercy of this God of ours who invites us to His ministry of loving and keeping His people steady, hopeful and true. Sister, yes, be merciful to others but, knowing you, I pray more especially, be merciful, gentler and kinder to yourself.

Sr Susay, as you renew your vows, know we are here with & for you. May our united yes to God’s invitation fuel us to a more inspired ministry & mission! And during those dark moments of disappointments & doubt, just remember, ‘ter – “Stay CALM… and know He is God!”

In this mass, we pray. May our gathering this morning be a gathering of love, of hope. May we pray for the gift of fidelity in and for our mission that together, we be God’s very heart in today’s daunting times. Amen.