Looking Over The Horizon

   The best has yet to come. There are more seeds to be sown, there are more problems to be solved and there are more things to be reckoned with. In these first encounters with myself and with the community, a ton of memories and experiences have already cloistered in the “get-go” stage of the Postulancy.

   As I look and examine myself, I always wonder, “Am I the real me?” Of course, this hypothetical question has surfaced in a number of occasions, but with no characteristic luck, I always fell short of answers and ideas. It is inevitable for me to concentrate and look over the horizons for I believe that in this vocation, there will always be ambiguities in our life. In fact, several of them are without my knowing and are often overlooked in plenty of instances.

   Being a man who looks forward to challenges is the person that I become. I live with these crucial and gut-wrenching situations from time to time. I do believe that these things allow a person to achieve his peak of excellence. These moments shall give a man’s life the purpose of his existence in the society.

  Indeed, when I first set foot on this remarkable journey of priesthood, I virtually anticipated each of these moments with ease. Sooner or later, on the stage where an aspiring Dominican will finally have the opportunity to knock at the front gates of these zealous preachers, I must consciously raise my own standards. Being tough is not always enough, for they say a man’s mettle is seen in his weaknesses not by his strengths. Challenges are not to be underestimated, for these are more than we can possibly imagine. We cannot also expect to go for the easy way all the time, for shortcuts never lead us to success.

   In many aspects, we try to overcome troubles and anxieties. That notion is generally true especially as far as our reputation and integrity is concerned. But then again, I always hook up to myself the reality that life is full of surprises. It may be thrilling or somehow disappointing, but once we try to extend the boundary of our feelings and emotions, we can unwittingly say: “Hey! Slow down, the best has yet to come.”

We Serve, We Preach, We Contemplate

Each day of our lives is a perfect day to speak of what we truly believe and of what we must conceive. At this point of time, we are summoned; we are in for a mission, a mission that is incomplete hence to be fulfilled. The stronger the faith we possess, the further we discover each and every blessing given by our Father. The greater intellectual knowledge we have, the wonderful opportunities shall come for us to discover the meaning and purpose of every living thing. Generally, we are so much blessed in life that is enough to be considered as a good follower of Christ. In fact, Everyone of us is responsible of our own inclinations to conform with His divine will.

A Dominican preaches the Gospel true to Dominic’s calling of changing the world through his tireless preaching. Jesus Christ himself illustrates simplicity and humility that a person can find out through his/her idea of service. Man, in contrast could be one with Christ in simply following his example towards the people, proclaiming the good news and in the spirit of love and brotherhood among us.

The mere fact that we are living here in the Pre-Novitiate reminds us of our promise and fulfillment of service to the people who need our help. Remember that we are called by God to serve, to contemplate and to praise Him. Indeed, we are called to love and honor him wholeheartedly regardless of what is inside and outside At the end of the day, on this very day given by our Lord, let us bear in mind that for every second, every minute, every hour of our lives, we must dedicate the blessings we have received from our Lord in fulfilling our mission to preach the good news to the people, for the service of all mankind.