By Brother Tembo Michael OMI,
Oblate Sexton House of Studies - San Antonio Texas
Sunday,
February 8th, 2015, St. Bonaventure Parish in San Antonio, Texas
organized a talk on Consecrated Life and two Zambian Oblate scholastics represented
the Missionary Oblates; Brother Felix Nyambe OMI and Brother Michael Tembo OMI.
The event had more three hundred students, First Graders to the Tenth Graders.
Brother
Felix encouraged the young people to take time and listen to their inner voice
and see where God was calling them to be. He said, “The World is in need of
healing. The world needs us. The world is waiting for doctors, teachers,
priests, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. You and I are God’s instrument
of Joy.
This world is hurting and needs someone to give it a smiling face. Yes!
You and I are the answer to the problems our brothers and sisters are
facing. You and I have to share our joys
with them. You and the entire religious men and women gathered here today must
be read to make our hands dirty by reading the signs of time.”
In
addition Brother Tembo OMI, asked the students to study hard and pay attention
to the advice parents give them. He asked the young participants gather to
share what they have with those children who don’t have what they have.
And
from the audience echoed the voice: “Yes, it is our responsibility to share
what we have. We have to share our toys, our clothes, food and time with those
suffering.” This was from a Seventh Grader. This voice was so strong that those
next to the young boy went silent.
After
the talk was over, while waiting for Mass, to celebrate Year of Consecrated
life, there was time to socialize with the participants. There were many
questions asked to the religious present at St Bonaventure.
One
young person pulled the mother and approached one of the Oblates and asked if
she could hold the Oblate Cross. This
drew the attention of others who wanted to hold and kiss the Cross.
 |
| The Oblate Cross |
The
concerned girl asked many question regarding the Oblate Cross. I wish I had all
the answer to the questions asked. I saw the tears of joy in the eyes of the
young girl and others as they took turns kissing and wearing the OMI Cross. I
saw how the young girl did hold the Cross with tenderness and love. I saw you
her tearing, wanting to hold on to the Cross.
Of
all questions asked, these have remained bothering me. She asked: “What is
special about this Cross that I cannot have it also? What must I do to have
this Cross in our house? Can I ask my parents to buy this Oblate Cross for me?
I love this Oblate Cross? Please give it to me?"
The
questions asked by the young girl calls for deep reflection on all of us. “What
is special about Lent this year? What must we do to poses happiness in our
lives, house and our hurting generation?
Can
we ask ourselves as Oblates, does our community equip us effectively with means
of evangelization? Can we use our talents and gifts and time for the betterment
of others? Can we beg to have the pearl?
Like
I responded to the young person, what was she was to do to have the Oblate
Cross? I wish I had all the answers the many questions the hurting people are
asking. But at times we have to love and live the hard questions about life.
I suppose
the answer lies in sharing being, being present in the lives of those hurting
through first of all, attending to their bodily needs. We are to share our
being. The three pillars of Lent summarize our being: Almsgiving Prayer, and Fasting.
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