FOCUS
'Trust in the good God who loves us, who cares for us, who sees all, knows all, can do all things for my good and the good of souls' Mother Teresa
When I arrived to Kolkata there were few volunteers, unlike what I was used to, but there was this large American group called Focus. Focus has missionaries (ordinary people) who go to a college campus and talk about Jesus and to spread His word. They also promote Bible studies and missions throughout the world. Here's their website to have more information: https://www.focus.org/
They were 13 (kind of like Jesus and the 12 apostles - I wonder who was the Judas of the group!) and it only took them one week to convert...me! I don't even remember who was the first one I met neither how I started getting along with them...but they left after a week and I felt I had no more purpose in Kolkata, for they had taught me a lot.
My first impressions were 'what a bunch of nerds with Holy Bibles' (because it's not that common in Portugal to carry Bibles..I guess!). What touched me was how they trusted so much in God: 'God will provide', they used to say. And they had the deepest talks! It was as if the Holy Spirit was always talking throw them. I don't know how to explain it nor how it began, but it was very nice being around them, they seemed to have that 'bonus odor Christi', the fragrance of Christ. Every conversation was good, productive and made me want to be closer to Him. Throw their example they taught me to trust more in God, to empty myself in order to be filled by Him, to be more silent, to give myself. To read and pray the Scriptures...not only the Gospel, which I'm used to, but also de Old Testament, the Psalms, the Holy Bible they carried all the time (don't worry, they are normal people!). A real example of what a catholic person should be: always happy, concerned with everyone but themselves, with Jesus on their minds and mouths, always on time for Mass and Adoration...and HAPPY! Wise people these Focus's guys!
THE VOICE OF CHRIST : MY CHILD, I have said: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you"
All men desire peace but all do not care for the things that go to make true peace. My peace is with the humble and meek of heart: your peace will be in much patience. If you hear Me and follow My voice, you will be able to enjoy much peace.
THE DISCIPLE: What, then, shall I do, Lord?
THE VOICE OF CHRIST: Watch yourself in all things, in what you do and what you say. Direct your every intention toward pleasing Me alone, and desire nothing outside of Me. Do not be rash in judging the deeds and words of others, and do not entangle yourself in affairs that are not your own. Thus, it will come about that you will be disturbed little and seldom.
Yet, never to experience any disturbance or to suffer any hurt in heart or body does not belong to this present life, but rather to the state of eternal rest. Do not think, therefore, that you have found true peace if you feel no depression, or that all is well because you suffer no opposition. Do not think that all is perfect if everything happens just as you wish. And do not imagine yourself great or consider yourself especially beloved if you are filled with great devotion and sweetness. For the true lover of virtue is not known by these things, nor do the progress and perfection of a man consist in them.
THE DISCIPLE: In what do they consist, Lord?
THE VOICE OF CHRIST: They consist in offering yourself with all your heart to the divine will, not seeking what is yours either in small matters or great ones, either in temporal or eternal things, so that you will preserve equanimity and give thanks in both prosperity and adversity, seeing all things in their proper light.
If you become so brave and long-suffering in hope that you can prepare your heart to suffer still more even when all inward consolation is withdrawn, and if you do not justify yourself as though you ought not be made to suffer such great things, but acknowledge Me to be just in all My works and praise My holy name -- then you will walk in the true and right path of peace, then you may have sure hope of seeing My face again in joy. If you attain to complete contempt of self, then know that you will enjoy an abundance of peace, as much as is possible in this earthly life.
I was praying this the other day and I came to conclusion that this was what they left me: firm peace of heart. At least for now! That is why I felt I had nothing more to learn here...they left me so much: to trust in God and to give myself to Him in a true way (can't explain...text them, I'll give you their phone numbers!). I don't know how long this peace will last, but what I do know is that I need to put my hope in Him and ask for it every day...for He is my only solace.
Thank you, Focus people!
