Prayer of St. Francis Xavier

by Rev. Lester Maramara, SJ

I stand in awe
bold and awake
ready to spring like frog
secure that I have nothing
but the will to go on.
I started with a dying
of wanting to fly to the end
but reaching nothing
except confusion.
I reached into the hollow
to fill in the gap;
I ran a good run
amidst the stumbling and the grumbling
to accompany
the Other who beckons me
not with comfort nor promises of heaven
but with an open heart
that wills me to be there beside.
Nothing else desiring
except to be there
beside the One.
Even if I wallow on my own
I walk
following the broken road
stepping upon broken glass
I get comfort in his company.

Nothing changes;
Love remains.

Rev. Lester has just been ordained deacon last September 11, 2005 together with batchmates Jonjee Sumpaico and Buboy Silerio. Rev. Lester has been for a long time, promoter of vocations and director of Arvisu House, a pre-novitiate formation house for those intending to enter the Society of Jesus. Rev. Lester is finishing his M.A. studies in theology as he prepares for his ordination to the presbyterate next year. He loves dogs, fish and anything that moves. He is the "Manong" or Big Brother of younger Jesuit Scholastics.