This is Enrique Fernandez

One of the reasons we are out here studying Spanish is so that we are immersed in the Spanish-- that is, Mexican-- culture. As we all know, immigration is a big topic of discussion in the Estados Unidos (... the United States). And, well, it's a big topic here in Mexico. In order to be able to minister to the growing Hispanic population in the US-- many of which have immigrated to the country, we must get to know the Hispanic culture as well as possible. Every Tuesday here at the Center, we have a "Pastoral Planning" seminar. In this seminar, we are presented on any number of topics involving the Mexican people and culture: what are their struggles, sacrifices, hopes, lifestyles, etc etc.

As in any culture, many Catholics in Mexico try to integrate the Gospel into their daily lives. They ask the questions "What does Jesus do in this country?" and "What does he call me to do?" Many recognize that there are sick people-- so they ask: how can I help them? They see that there there are many who are poor-- so they ask: what about them, Jesus? There are many who are at a loss for meaning in their lives and truly struggle to find real, lasting happiness-- the Christian responds: can I not give them an answer?

Ultimately, such question boil down to one: Does not the love which Jesus gives me call me to love others in return? In a word, am I not on mission to love others as Jesus loves me?

An amazing group of college volunteers and Catholics who are part of Regnum Christi have teamed together to form what is called Red Misión (or, in English, the Mission Network). This amazing organization presented a lecture today as part of the pastoral series. A fine young man of 25, Enrique Fernandez, painted a picture of a wealth of people in need-- and how his group, Red Misión, tries to help.



He does really amazing work. They minister to kids who are sick with cancer or HIV, or who come from homes that are sorely in need of God's loving kindness. There are a lot of things in particular that Red Misión does here, the list of which is too long to mention right now (visit their website!). As well, they try to affect the culture: they occasionally throw their own fashion show in order to show what true fashion is-- namely, clothes that do not degrade either women or men, but are instead truly complementary to the human person... and truly beautiful. They also permeate the culture with the Catholic culture: they have a Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Mexico, as well as a powerful Via Crucis (way of the cross) during Lent.

Of course, these are only a few events-- they are not the programs themselves. Rather, there is a lot of follow-up, a lot of teaching, and a lot of getting at the core reasons for what causes the problems afflicting the people with whom they live. But none of these services are service for service itself. At the same time, it is not forcing Jesus upon anyone. Rather, the programs find at their core a loving and personal Father and his Son who wish to bring true peace, joy, and happiness to their lives. This is the motivation, the source, and the end of all of their service, of all their mission.



The presentation made me think as I contemplated the fact that there are many college student volunteers in this organization: what are our college students in St. Louis doing with regard to their Catholic faith? Do our college students-- in fact, do our everyday- or Sunday-Catholics-- understand and love the faith so much that they see it to be necessarily missionary? In other words, how many of us see that being Catholic means to share what has been given to us, what has been passed on from Christ through the Apostles and the Church?-- namely, his love that is sacrificial; his love that holds man and woman to a standard of kindness and affection wherein no exploitation should ever occur; his love that calls us to help the weak and comfort the sorrowful (and haven't we been the beneficiaries of such love?).

Surely, there are many college students and Sunday Mass-goers that do share their faith through all that they do. But how many of us are worried that sharing the faith-- either by word or by deed-- may border on prosyletism, on "forcing our beliefs on others"? In our feel-good world, how often do we avoid talking about Jesus because we are worried about how it might make others not feel good? The facts are, however, that people don't feel good right now; people are searching always for something more-- and that providing them "our beliefs" is not simply providing "our beliefs," but providing insight into reality as it really is, that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And He is the source of all real happiness-- a happiness that brings a feel-good joy for all eternity.

Of course, this requires that we know Jesus and that we do not color him or his teachings with our own personal agendas.

If being a Catholic means following Jesus and doing what he said, then what happened to following his last request to "go... and make disciples of all nations, ... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.." (Mt. 28:20) ? These are his last words to humanity before he disappears in the clouds as he descends into heaven. Usually, one's last words to one's family or friends-- like on a deathbed-- are vitally important and are not something flippant. Like a final request, they should be listened to and carried out. Of all the things he could have said before he went, he commissioned us to "go out."

How much of our time is spent "staying in" ?

I've been here in Mexico for eight days now and God is hitting me over the head with the notion of mission. To be on mission does not mean having to be in a foreign country. Nor does it mean that it must always involve helping the poorest of the poor or the sickest of the sick-- it can, but it often involves something more simple: being on mission can be in our very city, on our very block, with those so very close to us. After all, how many neighbors of ours are, in fact, foreign to us?

So, these are just a few thoughts... a little diversion from the usual "this is what we did today" format of my blog. After all, as a future priest, I'm always thinking and asking myself: how can I better serve humanity? What I learned today is not supposed to stay here in Mexico-- rather, it is to come home with me and make a difference in St. Louis.

Perhaps you may find some inspiration in these simple words or through your browsing of the Red Misión site. And may we both always be mindful that we are always on mission, to be "always ready to give a reason for the hope that lives within us" (1 Peter 3:15), whether it be through simple words or simple deeds to neighbor, family, or complete stranger.