Gratitude to God for 60 years of experience as a Religious

Bro. Anton Hadiwardaya

When Bro. Venantius, Bro. Nicolaas, Bro Gregorius, and I celebrated our 70-, 60-, and 25-year jubilees of profession; we gathered to give thanks to God during a Eucharistic celebration. The organising committee also invited our families and relatives. After the Eucharist, we held a family gathering in the SMA Don Bosco hall. During this gathering, the committee leader asked me to say a few words about myself and, on behalf of my fellow brothers, about this celebration. It was not easy for me, especially when speaking about myself. I felt that all eyes, ears, minds, and hearts were fixed on me. It was overwhelming, but I could not ignore their concern for me or, in other words, their love. Oh, how wonderful it was.

As we gathered to celebrate the anniversaries of our religious profession, my reaction was: ‘Why do we celebrate this?’ I reflected on my journey as a religious for a while. Significantly, there were four brothers with me on the same journey. We were fellow brothers to one another. I sensed this was a deeper reason. It related to something meaningful—namely, how God loved me, loved us, and loved all creation. I felt this was only God’s grace He had bestowed upon us.

I believe I am celebrating God’s love as I mark my 60-year jubilee. I feel God's love through various meetings and encounters in life. Every encounter with people brings both joy and concern. I was reminded of the phrase: My presence in this world was ‘not to be served but to serve.’ This prompts me to ask: ‘Did I serve others well—out of gratitude, praise, forgiveness, understanding, and acceptance?’ These thoughts challenge me to stay vigilant. In my daily life, I face the ongoing reality of these reflections and commitments.

Imagine the situation described above. I recognise three types of encounters in my daily life: with myself, with others— brothers and sisters —whenever and wherever they occur, and with nature. These three encounters originate from a single central one, which is the source of all three. All other encounters can only happen within the bounds of this central source. He is the creator of everything. Through these experiences, I have encountered various aspects of my life. These encounters keep me present and connected with them at this moment. This is a tangible reality in which I am called and sent as an FIC brother.

I truly believe that God always leads, guides, and accompanies me in many ways throughout my life. The Lord shows me the path I should walk and the work I should undertake. God consistently cares for me, at all times and in all places, especially when I am going through a difficult period. I can feel His care in various ways, situations, events, and occurrences. I experience this in joy, happiness, as well as in sadness, doubt, anxiety, or worry. He heals me and all of us, as St. Paul wrote in Romans 5:3-5: ‘But that is not all we can boast about; we can boast of our sufferings. These sufferings bring patience, as we know, and patience brings perseverance, and perseverance brings hope, and this hope is deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which has been given to us.

When Jesus was hanging on the cross, our beloved Mother Mary stood nearby. I also believe that Mother Mary is always with me, just as she was close to Jesus and interceded for us. Therefore, it is right and just that I should always express my gratitude and hope in this way: My beloved Mother Mary, remember me! God’s abundant grace has been my companion!

(Bro. Anton Hadiwardaya lives in Wisma Bernardus- Semarang)