PERSONAL REFLECTION

By Renante Bantigue

God really sends somebody to let us know our call and can inspire us to answer such call.  Like what had happened to Fr. Niall O’Brien when he was a student.  God endowed every one of us talents which enable us to serve and follow him in spreading His words and in caring and preserving his creation.  It is just like Fr. Niall O’Brien, he has talents which made him capable of helping people know His words and live peacefully.

            He is a prolific writer.  His work could catch up somebody’s attention.  God intentionally made him a distinguished writer to attract more people read and understand God’s words.  Most especially in this modernized word which is full of temptations and distractions like TV, computer, cell phone etc.  if god gives us talents He also gives us trials to stimulate these gifts that He has given to us.  This was verified in the case of Fr. Niall O’Brien, when he was put behind bars because of false accusation.
            I’m really struck by the summarized history of Fr. Niall O’Brien.  It’s brief but inspiring.  Since grade school I have been thinking the kind of life that I may live in the future.  Along the way I’ve realized that serving God is more pleasurable than serving myself and the few, like wife and children.  Of course I came up with this realization because of some people and events that inspired me a lot.  Maybe like Fr. Niall O’Brien I may understand myself fully and dig out my talents, when I exclusively serve Him.
            I know that we were created to please God.  Thus I do anything to make Him happy and proud of me.  I want to make Him smile, as what He did when He saw Noah obeying all his commands.  Please forgive me if it is a very ambitious and humane desire.  It is just actually what I feel.
            In our temporary stay here on earth, we need to please him as the creator of everything.  Our flesh, bones, brain and all organs that compose the delicate and supernaturally engineered systems are planned by God.  Our parents are just the instruments of God to realize His plan.  Therefore, you I and all of creation belong to Him.  We should offer our whole selves back to Him and direct all our actions to His will.  These all are visible in the work and life of Fr. Niall O’Brien.
            I know that to discern the kind of life we will live in the future is not easy.  We need to consider many things like our family, career, and many more.  In my case that I’m the youngest of the six siblings it’s difficult to decide between family and vocation.  Despite of this, I was able to decide to apply here.  I didn’t know exactly what force brought me into your office.  The only thing I remember is that I am happy of what I did.

            I never understand myself why I always feel empty.  It seems that I’m incomplete and not developing.  There is still part of me which I feel void.  There is part of my heart which remains vacant in spite of all that I have.  I’m still seeking a way to fill in this space of my heart.