Posted in News

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By: Marki Tauceda, Tampa, FL

“Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

Mother Teresa

I love this beautiful quote from St. Mother Teresa. This was my sixth mission trip, my first to Jamaica. I worried about what I had to offer, I wasn’t trained medically, but I did have a willing spirit, a warm smile, love in abundance. I witnessed this and so much more in the Brothers and Sisters of the Missionaries of the Poor. Their joy, compassion and selflessness were palpable and an inspiration, as we had the great privilege of ministering with them to the poor.

 

Where does this strength to die to self daily come from? To be poured out in service and compassion to others without limit? It is Christ crucified. As we prepare for Lent we are reminded of St Paul’s words to us in Colossians 1 :24, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the Church.” We must look at our trials, sufferings and struggles as part of the “cup” He promised to those who believe in Him. St. Paul sees his own suffering, and so should we, as the visible reenactment of the sufferings of Christ so that others may see Christ’s love in us.

 

The day I wrote this article was spent with my sister Carleen who has stage 4 cancer. God often calls us to “exercise” our faith. If God didn’t give us opportunities to exercise our faith we wouldn’t have the spiritual “muscle” to combat, with His grace, the challenges we all must face.

 

I was so blessed and fortified by the constant call to prayer while living with the Brothers on Mission. Without a doubt it is what sustains them: their faith and trust in a God who always keeps His promise and sustains us through our darkest hours when we trust and surrender completely to Him.

 

I will never forget the beautiful men, women and children we met and served on mission. When I was sharing pictures on the MOP website with family and friends before we left, they often asked, “Marki, won’t it be hard for you see the disabilities and severe needs of the residents?” And it was sometimes hard.

 

 

With God’s grace, however, I felt I saw them as God saw them, perfect, sinless, without blemish.

That they surely will go straight to heaven someday, which is more than I can say for certainty for any of us! I do not know what the future holds for my sister, our dear friends that we served on mission, or what my future holds for that matter. I do know that I can trust the One who holds our future in the palm of His hand –and so can you!