As graduation comes for many law students (and also for those in the thick of studying law), I hope this reflection helps you step back, take some quiet time and reflect on the profession you are in. Take time too to offer everything up to God, to surrender to His will, and to allow Him to chart the path that is best for you. And in the words of St. Paul - fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith!
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"Vocation Week February 16-20, 2009 Ateneo Professional Schools Rockwell, Makati Reflection for the 5th day (February 20 - shared during the Homily period at 12:15pm Mass) A law student's life can get very monotonous: wake up early in the morning, have breakfast, read for school, prepare for school, read some more, have coffee, read again, go to class, read in between class, go home, read for the nth time and finally go to sleep having dreams about next day's lessons. With this kind of lifestyle and the high standards expected of any student, one will not be surprised at the thought of law students suddenly being disconnected from the world. So it's not surprising to find only a few law school students actually joining orgs, volunteering or even finding time to pray, to go to mass or engage in other meaningful and worthwhile activities outside of law school. I found myself entering this world 3 years ago. Studying law was one of my options after college and I told the Lord that whatever opportunities are given to me I'll take it just so long as I feel that I'm doing His will and His work. While on a vacation I got a call that I passed Ateneo Law and I realized that this is where God wants me to go, because He found a way to give me the good news just when I was trying to find some quiet time after graduation. I prayed before enrolling, asking for His guidance and blessing and I took the leap of faith, entered law school and began the journey I'm on now. The past 3 years had been quite a ride, with ups and downs, triumphs and defeats, literally like being on a roller coaster. I found myself preparing for a profession with high demands and standards but unfortunately, a profession which can also challenge your morality, values and faith at times. It was a scary prospect to hear that a lot of lawyers choose to do what is convenient rather than what is right, or choose to do anything to win rather than doing what is fair and just. With this dilemma at hand, I prayed to the Lord and asked Him that if I should lose my way in the future and end up becoming the kind of lawyer I feared, then He should let me fail law school now, not become a lawyer and lead me to another vocation. Well with 3 years down the line, by the grace of God I?m still here in Ateneo Law and I'm thinking this is still the place where He wants me to be right now, so I might as well make the best out of the opportunity by studying and working hard. The most important role that my faith plays in my life as a student, as a member of an organization, or as a volunteer in the Ateneo Law School community is that it keeps me grounded and rooted in good values, which help me get through whatever challenges I face. It gives me a firm place to stand on when faced with a dilemma on what to do or on what path to take. It gives me comfort when things get too hard, not just with school, but with life in general. Most important of all, my faith keeps me on the right path - to study law not to be rich nor powerful or famous, not to be admired nor praised or feared, but rather to toil and work for 4 years knowing that in the end this noble profession is indeed the noblest of its kind because at its core is the desire to serve others, to do justice to every person we meet and to try to make the world a better place to be in for those who are most in need. In the Gospel, we hear the story of Jesus asking his disciples "Who do people say that I am?" Today, I believe we are being asked the same question: "who Jesus is to us?" and as I ask this question to myself, I reflect on my sharing today. Jesus to me is not simply my God and creator but rather He is my friend, my companion and my source of guidance and strength as I trod along and continue on the roller coaster ride that is law school. In everything that we do, may we always find the compassionate God that Noah knew and the friend and companion that we always need as we go through this great journey called life. GREGORIO "Grip" BUETA 3rd Year Student Ateneo Law School"
Source: https://lists.ateneo.edu/pipermail/blueboard/2009-February/012093.html
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