Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side,
you guard me from the foe,
And you lead me in ways everlasting
Where can I run from your love…?
If I climb to the heaven you are there
If I fly to the sunrise or hide beyond the sea
Still I would find you there!
Marvellous to me are your works;
How profound are your thoughts, my Lord
This psalm speaks to me aloud of my 25 years of life journey as a Handmaid. I am filled with awe and wonder for all that He has done in my life and I have no words to express my gratitude to Him. Where can I run from your love Lord: Yes! I am so filled with Lord’s passionate love for me. What always bring tears in my eyes is that the Lord always surprises me by fulfilling my desires…
Everything in my life is a song of gratitude- Magnificat! The tremendous Love of the Lord for me has brought forth a response from my heart. Anything asked of me has generated a humble “yes” to His service. The Lord’s tender love, His compassion, His trust has led me to put my faith in His hands. Many times I tell myself that I am not worthy Lord for so much love, yet I know He spoils me. This is my experience of my God. I am aware in everything that
I am His Beloved Handmaid – small, weak, fragile, yet loved and blessed. With this experience I am convinced that He loves me with an everlasting love. He says, I have called you and you are mine.
I thank the Lord for choosing me to be a Handmaid of His heart. He and troubled me with the same question which He asked St. Margret Alaquoque and during my month’s retreat I wrote “You alone Lord”. Though I have failed Him at times He has always been faithful
For my first destination after my vows I was sent to Roha. I experienced a great joy to go to the less privileged and learn from their poverty, later on to reach out to the hostel girls and to their families. The best time was spend in the villages. The mission united us in the community especially during the time we were questioned of converting the tribals. Yes, during this time of trial, I learned this mission belonged to the Lord and we are only collaborating in this mission.
Having our Eucharistic – reparative mission- St.Raphaela Mary is a strong motivational force in my life. Her life has been an example, grace and challenge. My great desire before joining was the deep thirst to know God and Love Him. Yes…I am convinced the Lord loves me, He prepared a banquet for me through the exemplary life of St. Raphaela Mary. (Sr. Aleena Rodrigues. aci)
