Listening to a high-tone song outside, I am standing in the sacristy. It has been five years since I came to the Missionary of Charity in Antsirabe. Now I am about to celebrate the Sunday mass for the sisters and brothers. Some orphans join as well.
Mixed emotions come up: delight to be a part of the community as well as gratitude to come back as a priest. Everything seems not to change although the orphans have grown and the sisters have left. Two sisters thankfully recognize me.
I preach ‘being sent out’ as Jesus’ apostles. Life is a series of being sent out from birth to death because we all were sent out from our mother’s womb and will be asked to be finally sent out to death in the end. During the time on earth, we experience many being-sent-outs. To me, the experience in Antsirabe was a call within call to be sent out from what I felt comfortable.
Five years ago, I was a seminarian who were willing to giving himself up to be a priest. It was obvious that I wanted to be a priest. But I did not know what kind of priest I wanted to be and how I could serve God and His people. The trip to Madagascar was the answer.
Initially I was shocked by the country’s poverty and injustice. Malagasy were suffering from malnurition and violence. I was angry at God for inequality. However, it was also my frustration not to be able to ‘fix’ the problem. I was challenged to accept God’s providence and Jesus’ promise not to leave us orphaned in the midst of the suffering. Slowly I understood that hope dwells among people whether they are rich or poor, not in materials nor convenience. In the end, it is only hope that the divine Jesus humbled himself to share in our humanity.
I have come to share the same humanity and to offer the sacrifice up as a member of the priestly people. I feel home and know that the celebration will be unforgettable. The Missionary sisters delight to know that someone remembers them and my presence speaks loudly of it.
Remembering is the essence of priesthood. Not to forget the poor is the heart of being Jesus’ friend. So coming back is my way of living the promise to be a conscious priest and the people in Madagascar widely open their both arms again. During the travel, I have realized again and again I become fully what I am when I celebrate the mass with people. I have witnessed to becoming one in the breaking of the bread. There are no division between the rich and the poor and the giver and the receiver. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. It is my humble experience of being a priest to serve them. So how heartfelt for me to come to see my people in Madagascar!