CELERY
It has been nine months since I last wrote my entry on December 14, 2020, under the REFLECTIONS category. A month earlier, this website, White Butterfly, was launched and has picked up – having published a total of 10 monthly magazine issues, including this September, with almost 40 plus articles for weekly, Sunday Reflections.
I am pleased to announce that a team of volunteers a few months ago has joined to help the work of White Butterfly. This website began as a blog four years ago, responding to my faith that God was calling me to share my spiritual journey. But it did not take long to discover what his actual plan was.
God’s Plan for White Butterfly
God’s invitation to White Butterfly was and is not only for me, but also for everyone who either believes in his existence, has met or encountered him, or personally experienced his presence during his or her life. It is a call to anyone who may have the desire to seek more answers from him or take him to heart, i.e., to develop a connection – a relationship with him – on this earthly abode.
Thus far, White Butterfly has collected 215 published articles written by more or less 124 individuals – all tucked in this website!
My Spiritual Journey
My spiritual journey began when I was seven years old and I received my first Holy Communion. Although my understanding was inadequate, I knew that the event and my commitment to it were significant. The gift of an awareness of God had already taken its root in my early childhood.
Much later, I chose Maryknoll College, a Catholic school run by Maryknoll nuns, over a co-educational, nonsectarian school, the University of the Philippines, knowing that the latter would not be offering Religion and Theology subjects.
But it was not until my adult life as a wife and mother of 2 growing boys did I come to know the Lord in a personal way. I knew something had changed when I came home after attending a Charismatic Mass at the Ateneo Grade School in Quezon City. I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Like many, my life has been a mixture of ups and downs, having had my share of joys and sorrows. But I can attest that because of my personal relationship with God and I am no longer alone, he has come to be truly alive and has made a huge impact on me. My past stubbornness, self-centeredness, and immaturity have paled compared to his steadfast love, goodness, and mercy.
Where am I now in my relationship with God, and what is he up to, given my present condition?
First, God is bringing all his lessons that I have taken for granted to the fore. He is showing me a close-up view, as if seen through a magnifying glass, the important things that matter to him!
God is zooming in on passages in the bible that are relevant and applicable to the present, volatile situation our world is currently in. His warnings have been like the active Taal Volcano in Tagaytay – always on the alert. I sense God telling me to be constantly on the watch and carefully listen to him in and out of prayer – both mind and heart open to his promptings.
Second, God is inviting me to spiritual intimacy with him. I wondered what this meant at first.
Upon waking up one morning, the words consecration and devotion came up out of the blue. God called me to allow him to rule my life, give up my “rights,” and surrender everything to him. I belong to him because he had paid the price of dying on the cross for me. I AM HIS! It is done.
How Lord? How do I concentrate and become devoted to you?
On another morning, I received a distinct and clear answer. The word obedience popped up. I interpreted this as his call to obey him all the time, as much as I can, in everything I think, say, or do, every day of my life – a sure proof of my love for him!
Third, the messages are urgent. Time is precious. I cannot afford to waste time any longer. I need to be single-minded in my steps – in this path that God is asking me to take at this time – in his time and his favor. Yet, I must know how to balance this and determine when to act or wait on him.
Finally, intimacy with God is a process I cannot rush. It does not matter how long it takes me as long as I am constantly moving and advancing, one step at a time, towards God’s direction.
Life’s experiences and circumstances, sadness and joy – are keys for my spiritual growth. The more comprehensive, extensive, and encompassing my horizon, direction, or scope is, the more exciting and exhilarating my journey to God will be! Because nothing is impossible with him!
God is shoring me up for holiness and becoming Christlike. All he will ever need from me is my immediate and unhesitating response, eager and ready to “go forth each day – in faith and not knowing, but trusting. I wait on God. It brings me to my journey quicker than my feet.”
Below is the song JOURNEY, sung by Taiwanese singer Angela Zhang – a side benefit of staying home during the lockdown. It was a pleasant surprise to discover this inspiring and beautiful music from a Taiwanese drama.
Note typographical error: Calvary instead of cavalry
Celia – What an encouraging, inspiring comeback reflection! You have described the map of your walk with God, from start to present, to target destination. And you have distilled the essence of your pilgrimage, that you may give heart and soul to it now, without much more dilly-dallying, wanderings and other useless stuff.
God’s love (relentless). Your response (“unhesitating”). Time (precious). So wala ng bolahan. It’s like being on Ground Zero for the rest of your days…just you, God and your intimate life with him.
As Fr. Eric Sundrup, SJ, says in his One-Minute Homily (The Jesuit Post, Aug. 1, 2021) : “Jesus offers his very self when he says ‘ I am the bread of life.’ What Jesus offers us is a relationship…It’s ongoing, it’s dynamic, it’s gonna change us and challenge us…Relationships take work, so let’s all get to work!”
A deeper call, indeed, Celia!
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