Dear brothers and sisters, today we continue with the conclusion of chapter 4, Legionary service. A thought quickly popped up in my mind as I began reading, and it was when Jesus asked, “Will you lay down your life for me?” I would think it would be much easier to answer the question in this room, “Yes, of course, my Lord, I will.” But to be honest with you, I don’t know what answer I would give if I was facing that reality. I hope I am not the person who would run away as far as I could. My thoughts went on, what if our spouses asked us the same question, “Will you lay down your life for me?”, more or less, we would say, “yes, my dear.” in a peaceful and calm atmosphere. Again, when the situation occurred, are we so sure about our formative answer? Furthermore, if an acquaintance asked us the same question, “Will you lay down your life for me?” I think we would say “Sorry sir or ma’am, what did you say?” Now how about a person who is always getting on our nerves, the person we don’t like, or our enemy? “Will you lay down your life for me?” I am not surprise if the answer is: “What are you talking about? You must be joking.” How could Jesus lay down his life for us, when we are still trapped in sin and intentionally or unconsciously against him?
But we, the Legion of Mary, according to our handbook, we must live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. “Can we do it?” “Yes, we can and we should.” Even when we are weak and struggle, but together, through the help of each other, as a true legion of our beloved Mother Mary, we can do it.” Yet there are two things I’d like to point out, they are, “are we willing? And are we ready?” especially when we are visiting someone that requires us to make a little sacrifice. Like mother Teresa said, “We can do little things with great love.” This great love is Jesus, His sacrifice. Only if we are willing and ready to involve Jesus in every little thing, will it be fruitful of immense things.
My dear brothers and sisters, Jesus will be so happy if we can bring Him to the needy just like our Mother Mary brought her Son into the world. This is why the handbook emphasized, “At the bottom of all really fruitful work must be the readiness to give oneself entirely.
Legionary service involves another very important key effort. That is, look up to the Lord, with sustained effort to finish the race. This is how we can serve without limit or reservations, and how we can overcome our assumptions and judgements on those that we serve. That even though we may not see it, everyone has hope. This is exactly how Jesus was able to have the fortitude in his willingness and readiness to lay down his life for us.
Together, we encourage each other, together, we help each other, together, under the mantle of our beloved Mother Mary, we maintain a tireless service for the sake of the two loving hearts of Mary and Jesus.