Light

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” - John 8:12 (NASB)

 As you can see in the photo above, my Vigil candle is lighted once again. I'm still fresh from the Vigil experience and I believe this is the best time to blog about it as I still have my spiritual high, as one person has described it.

I've been saying that the Vigil was so life-changing, but what in my life has changed? Nothing external, really. I remember one person's answer in the Catechisis that the reason why she chose Keeping the Faith as a topic over Distractions and Peer Pressure;

Distractions and peer pressure are things that I can control. They are things that are around me so they may affect me, but faith is part of me. Faith is something that is internal

And I believe I can say the same with the change that has occurred in me during the Vigil. It's not something that most people can outwardly see. I still go through life diverging from the rest and I still spend most of my time reading and writing so there isn't really much change that you can see when you look at me. But the Vigil rekindled a fire inside that has been weakening for the past months - my faith.

It's been seven months since the start of the school year, and I can still remember how I started the year: with a letter to God asking Him for grace and guidance as I embark on another journey. It was hopeful and optimistic, and even though I had high expectations for this school year, all they were at that time was concerning me and transformation. I never thought that I would be challenged so difficultly to the point that it had to affect my faith.

Something about the solemnity of the Vigil just put everything back in the right perspective. I did do one thing right after it that might have destroyed my spiritual high, and it still is as fresh in mind, but I had my quiet time with Him a few minutes after the mortifying encounter, making everything better, and He just proved to me that even after the Vigil, His Light will still keep on burning within me.

I won't elaborate much on what actually happened or how God and I communicated, but if there is one external thing that has changed, maybe it's the realization that I should not be afraid to share my faith and the light that Jesus has kindled in me. And these blog posts, I hope, may be the few firsts that will help uplift the glory and the greatness of our Lord.

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16

I'm in love with Jesus right now. I hope it stays that way forever. Only Jesus, All for Jesus!

And so I end this with something that has been constantly reminding me of the love, providence, presence, and friendship that our God offers us if we open our hearts and surrender to Him. Nada te Turbe.