accompaniment

“For what is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” 1Peter 2:20

Summoning the courage to write this reflection, in reaction to an essay relating the life of Fr. Michael Riordan a Veterinarian, is by far a hard part of which I have been in. This is because in most cases, I find it hard to share my thoughts and experiences to others, and worst is to write it on paper and let somebody read it. Luckily, I am able to do so.

I first came across the article last May 3, 2008, my second time of participating in the vocation gathering of the Columban Accompaniment Program as an avid aspirant. At first I find the biography usual and decided to read it at home. I thought it was ordinary and was about to prove myself… wrong! After reading the story at home, it took me some time to contemplate and gather myself. At that very moment, I realized I am already telling myself how powerful the Lord’s call is! At that time, it felt like I am again a 5 year old boy glimpsing at a movie scene fascinatingly unfolding before my very eyes. It is the story of a fulfilled veterinarian who visited Korea to care for animals, then realized that he is called by the Lord to care and become an instrument to His dearest creation amongst His creations, mankind. Then I asked myself a question I am yet to answer for the coming time. Was the decision to give up your everything to follow His calling been easy? I surely did hope the time that Fr. Michael is there to answer me.

The times that I’ve read the story of Fr. Michael, I could relate how unselfish the Columban Missionaries are. Imagining that a healer amongst animals, probably already earning a big deal of fortune, gave up his profession in exchange for unpaid community service directed towards leading the Lord’s people back to his loving embrace, is indeed magical. It is a story too good to be true, yet definitely real! Somewhat similar to the life of a hero who would gave up his life to save others without expecting any payment. A hero called to save people, called by almighty father himself.
Later in time, I was asking myself if Fr. Michael’s decision was easy or not. I could not stop myself from asking the question over and over again. If I am to be him, would I have made the same decision as well? That and more I am yet to answer.

Lastly, to end this article of mine I leave you with a verse from the bible of which I find some of my answers and it goes like this: Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”