Living in war-torn areas is very challenging. It is to live in fear and insecurity. We do not know what is going to happen. In the midst of many uncertainties, I am very grateful for living in the frontier with the suffering people.
I find that living in the Biso IDP camp is a gift to experience God presence among people. God walk by people and live among people. Though hopes seem to be lost in waring zone, it is very touching that people who continue to build hope by keep doing something what they can at the moment. They keep their hope and faith alive making time to pray together in the temporary church building. It is also making me realized that as long as we keep doing something, there is hope.
Being among in the people in displaced enables me to understand their daily struggle for survival and how they have been through. Solidarity is making a real sense, eating what they offer and live how they live.
Celebrating mass for the people in displaced is truly a grace of Christ presence. People are yearning to receive the body and blood of Christ. I realized that the Eucharist is celebration of people in which Christ has been with them in the daily life. The Eucharistic table is wider than the table itself. Christ dwells among them in the brokenness and displacement. Christ has been celebrating the Eucharist with the people. As Jesus shed his blood for us, I live through the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Like St. Paul is saying, “It is no longer I who live, Christ live in me.” It is all about give life for other. In this situation of being with people, I realized that my life is a gift that is given by God for the service of others. In the face of the oppressed and injustice, being with the suffering people is an act of saving and living out our faith.
Being sent to frontier mission making me realize that it is not my mission, but it is God’s mission (Missio Dei). I am just collaborator. It is encouraged me to be more collaborative. I learn to trust God in the mission and entrust the mission in the hands of God. Being with people through the joy and pain to carry out the mission is beyond the liturgical role.
Encountering the word from “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid (Mk 7: 50) ” from the Lord is most consoling moment for me in the given situation of fear. As the Lord showing his love and care through various people, I cannot help but thankful to God to the marvelous deeds. I continue ask for the guidance and strength to fill me with the spirit of magnanimity of the mission. “Without cost you have received, without cost you are to give” (Mt 10:9).
In omnibus Amare et Servire
