UPS AND DOWNS, BUT HAPPY | KAIROS GLOBAL | JUNE 2022

Author: D. Sonal Eranda Fernando

Joyfulness is not only smiling or laughing but also living with hopefulness. 

When I worked with teens and youth apostolates in the Church ministry, I faced plenty of struggles and challenges. Doing the right thing is hard, while following the ideas of others, without seeking out the good and bad in it is very easy. 

Directing young individuals on the right path in the spirituality of the apostles is our commitment and duty as animators. In this ministry, I have come across ‘leaders’ who have misused their offices much to the discouragement and disillusionment of the youth, who looked up to them. For speaking up for these youngsters, I was alienated from all activities in the church. That was a period of hard suffering for me. When I asked the Lord, ‘why did they refuse me?’ the Lord asked me to stay silent and focus on him. 

The Holy Rosary, and the Holy Bible helped me to stay focused on the Lord Jesus. I started to practise spontaneous praise, and reflecting and meditating hymns. It helped me to recover from my wounds and get back to my happiness. I was able to help other youngsters recover from their wounds and come back to real joy.

D. Sonal Eranda Fernando  is from Negombo, Sri Lanka.