This spring semester I completed my Spanish minor at Marian University. It was a long time coming and to be honest, I never would have thought this day would come. But here I am on the other side of this accomplishment in which I had little faith I would achieve. I felt the call on my heart to study Spanish in order to be a more versatile priest through this area of ministry. This journey has taught me many things, and one that is very apparent is the necessity to have trust in God. It was not through my own skill that I was able to do this, but by the Lord bestowing his grace upon me, especially in difficult moments. This journey also extends outside of the classroom and into real life situations.

At Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary, all sophomores all required to do community service as their ministry for the year. Senior seminarian David Martinez allowed me to help teach first communion classes with him at Saint Anthony Parish in Indianapolis. This experience allowed me to practice my Spanish with students while teaching about the Catholic faith. It was a little stressful at first, but eventually I was able to overcome the fear of making mistakes. One day I led a small group discussion in Spanish and could tell that the students were intrigued because they could talk about the faith in their language. Also, the students were eager to help me if I made a mistake, which increased my comfort level with teaching. Overall, this experience taught me that it is okay to make mistakes because we are human, and we do not need to be perfect. After all, Christ came to save the imperfect and sinners.    

Another experience I had this year was using my Spanish to tutor a fourth grader. I volunteered to help at a local school that needed tutors and was assigned to help a young boy learn English. Before coming to this school, I did not know I would have to teach someone who barely knew English. I just thought I would help some students with some math problems and call it a day. I do not know why I said yes to this invitation to help, because I had other opportunities. I believe that the Lord guided me to say yes. Although I didn’t have complete confidence in my ability, the Lord still called me to do it. This experience taught me that Christ qualifies the called and does not necessarily call the qualified. The Lord will make use of one’s abilities in order to fulfill His will, so listen for His voice.    

This journey was certainly not easy, but it was through suffering and being put in uncomfortable positions that I was able to find the Lord. Cardinal Robert Sarah says that if we want to find the Lord, then we must go into the desert, a place where Christ suffered and underwent temptations. It is by taking up our own crosses that we will grow closer to the heart of Christ. Now I rejoice in the Lord’s goodness and grace he has bestowed on me, his servant through this journey. Praised be God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. Alleluia.