We are the Light of the World and Salt of the Earth

​Some members of the Verbum Dei family here in Cebu, including Missionary Disciples, Missionary Couples, and Fraternity members, concluded the first batch of our Conversations on the Verbum Dei Missionary Disciples’ Regulations last September 7, 2024. With the theme of "We are the Light of the World and Salt of the Earth" (cf. Matthew 5:13-14), a group of 13-20 members formed the first batch and came together for five Saturdays to share and discuss the VDMD Regulations. We connected these discussions to our personal experiences and sense of belonging within the Verbum Dei family.

​The energy and enthusiasm were incredible! The group shared what it means to be part of the Verbum Dei family on a personal level, listened to each other’s stories and experiences, and brainstormed practical ways to address the current needs of our community here in Cebu. Now, we’re excited to put these ideas into action with plans that will benefit the entire Verbum Dei family.

Let’s read the sharing of Girlie, a member of the Missionary Disciples, as she shared her experience during the family mass on September 8:

The primary objective of the sessions was to gain a deeper understanding of the Regulations of the Verbum Dei Missionary Disciples. These regulations are part of our identity within the family, not as a special or important group, but united in the same mission and evangelical spirit of the Verbum Dei Missionary Family. The VDMD regulations are not meant to control us but to guide us on our discipleship journey.

Since the sessions were conversational, they fostered openness, allowing each of us to freely express our thoughts about the regulations. To validate our understanding, we shared our diverse experiences. Overall, the activity was:

• Engaging & Interactive
• Inspiring: Hearing each other’s stories of discipleship, especially from the seniors, inspired the new members. We learned how they overcame challenges over the years with patience and continued trust in God.
• Deepening: Understanding the regulations helped remove our apprehensions about discipleship, such as fears, doubts, and confusions.

​As some of the disciples jokingly said: “Before, the invitation of the Lord sounded like this, ‘Here I am Lord, you have called me?’ It was full of questions, hesitance, and doubts. But now it’s different; it has transformed into, ‘Here I am Lord, you have called me.’ It is a Yes! with joy and confidence.”

​My Takeaways: There are many, but what stayed in my heart after all the sessions were the Four Exercises that help us live out our spirituality: Prayer, Fraternal Love, Cross and Humility, and Mission.

​While it may be hard to remember everything in the regulation handbook, these Exercises can serve as my roadmap to discipleship. Each of these exercises is rooted in the life of Jesus; they form and transform the disciples of Christ, and the same will be true for us. By practicing these exercises, I can expect God’s transforming power in my life.

​These are called “exercises” because they are beneficial for us, much like physical exercise helps us stay healthy and build muscles. Similarly, these spiritual exercises are meant to foster spiritual growth and maturity.

​In my discipleship, I visualize a Circular Flow Chart integrating the Four Exercises, with Prayer as the foundation that connects and results in Fraternal Love, Cross, and Mission. Everything starts with prayer. We cannot have fraternal love if we don’t pray; it is not easy to love or forgive those who hurt us without prayer. We will not know how to patiently and joyfully carry our crosses if our hearts are not strengthened in prayer. And mission will always be the fruit of every prayer. These elements are interconnected and always start with prayer. By continuously performing this cycle, we become Christ-like, following and becoming more like Him in our attitudes and actions towards others. This is true discipleship for me.

​We place our discipleship journey in the hands of the Most Holy Trinity and Mother Mary, whose nativity we celebrate today, as our model of faithfulness.