We Are Filled to the Brim

Hello, everyone! 
It's been a while since this blog was last updated and since then, so much has changed! Summer has turned into Fall, five new missionaries have arrived to serve the parish community, and school and programs have started back up again. Isn't it crazy how so much can change within the span of a few months? A year ago, I didn't even know this Missionary Internship Program existed and here I am leading Teen Confirmation. Absolutely wild! God is so good!

And speaking of change... transitions are hard, especially when you have to leave behind everything and everyone that is familiar to you. This is something that I have taken to prayer over these past two months and the Lord has comforted me by reminding me that He will provide for me in abundance - and all I have to do is ask. 

At the beginning of our formation time, we did Lectio Divina with the Wedding at Cana (Jn 2:1-11). I'm sure most, if not all, of you are familiar with the story: Jesus attends a wedding with His Mother Mary and His disciples. Mary notices that the bride and groom have run out of wine and She brings up their need to Jesus. She then tells the servants to be obedient to what Jesus tells them to do. After Jesus tells the servants to fill huge jugs with water, He changes that water into wine. The bride and groom then have 6 stone jars each holding 20-30 gallons of new, good wine that are filled to the brim. Talk about an abundance!

In the same way, we should follow Mary's example by bringing our desires to the Lord freely, with childlike confidence. Mary is able to bring Her desires to Jesus with confidence because She is fully aware of Who Jesus is- as the One Who can fulfill our desires. She also acts out of a place of security in Her identity as the Mother of Jesus, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and a beloved daughter of the Father. Through Her relationship with the Holy Trinity, She is confident that Her request will be granted.

Through the Sacraments, we also come to know more about who we are and Who's we are and by frequently participating in them, our relationship with the Holy Trinity is strengthened - we are filled to the brim with God's love and our identity as beloved sons and daughters of God becomes more secure. If we are secure in our identity as beloved children of God, we can then model Mary's confidence in freely bringing our needs and our desires to the Lord.

Let us never be afraid to trust that our hearts will be received by our Father in heaven. He is a good, good Father Who desires to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32) and fill us to the brim with His love and mercy! 

Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us!
+JMJ+
​~ Olga