My dear brothers, I had already
in 2 years in the formation. For the years I had stayed there, many
realizations I have come to think of and many struggles and crises I have
encountered. Though, how hard it was and it will be, I can say that seminary
formation is no other to compare with.
Embracing the seminary formation
for the years I had t here, is one of the best thing in my life and I could say
it is the real world in this small world of seminary vicinity. My daily memories were really worth
remembering with fervour and vehement spirit. The way I embraced it is the way
I embraced Christ and his Church, our Church. The image of the “bridegroom” in
the gospel is important because Jesus is often portrayed as coming to humanity
as a bridegroom, with the Christian church then portrayed as the bride. As children
of God, we are challenged to carry out the life of Christ, our model, our God.
The way He committed Himself to love us as His church, we can do the same. In our simple ways of
embracing seminary formation, of accepting God’s invitation to become his
disciple in proclaiming His Word and carrying out our salvific mission are
great things in serving the Church.
On the other hand, I am struck also
with the word FASTING. Fasting is a very ancient practice, practiced by
practically all religions. Jesus himself practiced it during forty days (Mt 4,
2). But he does not insist with his disciples so that they do the same thing.
He leaves them free. This is why the disciples of John the Baptist and those of
the Pharisees, who were obliged to fast, want to know why Jesus does not insist
on fasting. What I can remember there in seminary a simple observance of
fasting. By the way, was there any? Can we take it? Somehow, not that much
(hehehe). But, I can still remember, we ate champorado as a form of fasting in
one of our tradition. I think, that happened once. Seriously, fasting there in
seminary made me to realize that it not just a mere tradition, an act determined
by norms but a self-sacrifice, an expression of love and sincerity in doing
such.
Jesus‘ parable of garments and
wine is quite relevant to how I live my life today. It is often perceived as
saying that new ideas should be put into new social structures. Jesus eats
well, even with sinners, instead of fasting like holy men are expected to
because he brings new ideas about God that won’t fit in with old assumptions or
structures. Talking of structure, I am convinced that I live on that way. It is
not just here inside the seminary formation but even in our home, in school, in
the bus, in the market as well. The do’s and don’ts will perpetuate the
structure within. Jesus wants me to embrace the new structure which He thinks
for my own good. It is not necessary to want to change what is new and brought
by seminary formation, for old customs I have had. If I am used to do bad
things before, it shouldn’t be combined to the new kind of formation I have
now. I couldn’t be one who called disciple of Christ and at the same time doing
opposite to what I am expected to be. The same thing in the formation, I could
be a foolish one who tried to live out formation while doing things against to
it.
My dear brothers and sisters, I
am still young but it is not an excuse to settle in mediocrity, in low level
maturity. I am not that mature enough but I tried to be one. Let us try to ask
ourselves on how we live in the formation of life, for four years, for three
years, for two years or even for number of months, if a new piece of cloth on
an old cloak, new wine in old skins does this exist in my life, in your life,
in our life?
Together, we have recognized for
ourselves, and put our faith in, the love God has for us. Amen
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