While going through my files, I found an article written by Fr Salvatore Putzu SDB which was published on the WORD & LIFE PUBLICATIONS – Making God’s WORD come alive in your LIFE for more than 25 years!
THE CONDITION TO BELONG TO THE BEST FAMILY EVER
Christmas in 2008
Roslyn Monteclaros (from the Philippines) and Raj Rajasingam (from Malaysia) met “by chance” at the Taizé Community, in France, in July 1989.
Both were young Catholics wishing to spend a few weeks experiencing first-hand the ecumenical spirit that characterized the community set up by Roger Schultz (a Protestant) and Max Thurion (a Catholic).
Ros and Raj pursued and strengthened their friendship even after their experience in Taizé ended. Eventually they got married in December 1991, moved to Malaysia straight after the wedding, and in January 1995 they migrated to Australia.
They seemed to be a perfect couple: both had a good job; both were full of apostolic zeal and were involved in many Church activities . . . . But both had to face a big challenge: Ros could not bear children. Both prayed for enlightenment as to what to do. And the answer to their prayers was the inspiration to adopt one of the many Filipino children who were either orphans or had been abandoned by the solo parents. They applied to adopt a child from the Philippines in July 1998. In October 2002, Ros and Raj travelled back to the Philippines, followed all the legal procedures and flew back to Australia with their adopted son: Rafael (Raffy), a lively boy just two years and a few months old.
The child grew healthy and happy under the watchful care of the adopting couple, who, two years later, decided to adopt another child with whom Raffy could play and learn to socialize and care. Another vacation in the Philippines in August 2008 produced a second adoption: Roque, a boy of one and a half years, joined the Rajasingam family to the delight of all.
The joy of Raffy and Roque bloomed as they grew in age, no longer as orphans but as members of a caring family that had given them not just a name and a roof under which to live, but also so much love and the prospect of a good education, the gateway to an honorable and productive life.
REFLECTION TIME:
CONNECTING THE DOTS . . .
* Being members of an honest and caring family is always a great grace. And this grace is appreciated all the more as a precious gift by the children who, without it would have remained deprived of so many things, such as a home, loving care, emotional support and a bright future – all factors that mean so much to all of us.
* Jesus knew that and this is why he invited people to be members of his large spiritual family, which included not just the twelve special disciples (who eventually he would make his “apostles”), but also the immense crowd of those who were eager to know more about the Kingdom of God, and happy to be with such a wonderful Teacher and Master.
* But Jesus made it clear, both to those who flocked to him to listen to his teaching, and to his disciples of all times and places, that membership in his family entailed doing God’s will at all times throughout their lives.
* This is also our privileged calling and our task as Christians – people who are invited by Jesus to be members of his spiritual family, the Church, which is the community of all believers.
* As such, we are expected not only to enjoy the many graces that membership in the Christian community offers, but also to contribute to its life and the welfare of all the other members through our good example, solidarity and prayers.
LIVING THE WORD
My Commitment
PRAYING THE WORD
My Message for God
Thank Jesus for having made you a member of his family; for having chosen you as one of his friends. Ask him to keep you ever close to him.