Semana Santo

What does it mean to be out of your comfort zone?

This lenten season is the first one in twenty-two years that I've spent away from my family, away from what I've learned to accept as my "home" in Canada. I've done more self-reflecting within the past month than I ever have in the past few years. The Lord has spoken so many times to me during this trip and at first I found it hard to hear him. I know it was my fault. I had steered so far away from my journey, from the mission that he entrusted me with eleven months ago. One thing I have to keep reminding myself is that our God is not an aggressive or boisterous one. He is quiet, he is calm, he is benevolent.



I've been so selfish to see only how I've suffered during this trip. I've only ever really focused on my own needs, my own wants...ME, MY, MINE. My cousin and I went to confession on Thursday and did the Stations of the Cross. There was something stirring inside of me as I recited memorized prayers and sang all too familiar anthems. How could I compare my own sufferings to that of Christ? How could I cry about one person breaking my heart and a few people talking behind my back?  Jesus had millions of people who broke, were breaking and would break his heart a million times over. He had thousands ridiculing him, putting him to the test, spitting at him, and breaking down his very being. My pain was but a sliver in the cross He bore that day two thousand years ago.

Yesterday during Good Friday, we did the Stations of the Cross all around the city. We walked to all fourteen stations. It was exactly what I needed. A little bit of sacrifice.

Lord, if the pain and suffering that I carry in my heart helps to lighten your load even a little bit, then let me bear it proudly. You have shown me so much love during this trip, more than I deserve. I praise and thank you for never giving up on me.