Christian Life Program
Sharing for Talk no. 2
Daniel Angelo M. Lao
It is an honor for me to be chosen as sharer for this morning. It is my prayer that somehow you will gain something from my sharing.
I grew up as an ordinary kid, I have my parents with me, they were able to send me to private schools, I have enough allowance and they can also provide me with what a kid usually needs. It was during High School that certain changes happened in my family. My mom and dad were having disagreements all the time. They always argue even on the simplest decisions we need as a family. As a teenager I was caught in a dilemma I did not know what to do; how I should respond, and where will this problem lead us.
During those turbulent times in my life, I did not have anybody to whom I could cling on. But Jesus showed me a different way of looking to life. And the life he showed me is a life of service. I was invited to join the search-in of the Redemptorist Fathers. Since I was a child I really dreamed of becoming a priest. Without any hesitations I said yes to His invitation. I told my parents about this and they were incensed to hear my plans. Both of my parents were very anxious how my life would be if I leave. Eventually they allowed me to enter the seminary. I left my family. I left those problems and surrendered it to God.
Entering the seminary was a big sacrifice for me. I only had one thing in mind, to become a priest, nothing more nothing less. Yet it was not that easy to become one. It was during my seminary years that I get to know Jesus deeper and my relationship to Him became personal. Jesus revealed to me through this passage from the Gospel of Luke. The spirit of the Lord is upon me, He has anointed me to preach the Good News to the poor and the brokenhearted, liberty to captives, and sight for the blind. He revealed to me as the Christ for the poor and the most abandoned. Brothers and sisters, I offered my life to Him as an instrument of service; that my mission is to bring Christ’s plentiful redemption, that he is a God of second chances and a God who always accepts us no matter how sinful we are if we are open for genuine healing and confession.
Because of this brothers and sisters I accepted every task my formator would give me. If there was a need for a missionary in certain places, I was always open for service. Though I complained yet I was there preaching Christ’s fullness of redemption. I became an itinerant missionary, itinerant meaning homeless missionary. We get our shelter and basic needs in the people of our missionary area. I went into rural areas where I was militarily harassed and was suspected as a member of the New People’s Army, I was also part of organizations that fought against oppression, demolitions, and injustices to the poor. I spearheaded the campaign for solidarity of seminarians to fight injustices. We were conducting tutorials for the Badjao children in Cebu, and comforted the lepers who were kept in the infirmary without knowing that there are still people who care for them.
You know brothers and sisters, when we serve Jesus blessings would really come into our lives. I finished my college with honors, and I gained a lot of wonderful learning experiences from those missionary activities. Amidst all those things brothers and sisters, becoming a priest is not an easy task. It does not entail only your desire but it entails grace from God. During my fifth year in the seminary, I decided to take a short leave, away from the comforts of the religious life and into the realm of the real world. It was one of the most difficult struggles that I underwent. I even received criticisms and disappointments from my friends as to why I left the seminary. For over a year, I did not visit the Redemptorists because I felt that I became a disappointment for them. Yet God was still very good to me because he gave me a good job as a medical representative. Everything went well, until my parents separated.
It took me a long time to understand why these things are happening to me. I offered to Him years of my life, years where I should enjoy the youth in me. I was asking why. I instantly became the bred winner of the family. I forgot everything about spirituality and focused more of my time at work. For a time I failed to acknowledge Him as my God. I was so engrossed with philosophical reasons and absurdities of life that made me think of His inexistence. Yet Jesus is still persevering. He always finds a way for me to be back in His arms.
It was through a persevering sister did God showed his endless perseverance. I was invited by sister Triccie to be a part of this community, the Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon. I did not join, simply because I am not open to it. After another year she again invited me, she lured me with a free lunch and she even offered to pick me up from home. So I decided to join. And indeed the community was great. The brothers and sisters in this community showed me a different perspective of service. I met brothers who shared the same struggles as I do and is willing to listen and offer help if I needed one. I found new friends who showed me how to live a Christian life in this different context. My life started to change and I began to understand why things happen not in concordance to my desires, I accepted the things that I cannot change, and I worked to change the things that I can.
I know that I am still young in this community. But I am very much willing to offer another part of my life to serve this community and to serve our brothers and sisters. And still will I continue to say this… “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, He has anointed me to preach the Good News to the poor and the brokenhearted, liberty to captives, and sight for the blind.”
Semper Fidelis..! Sa Kanunay Dalaygon ang Diyos.
