Unified…in The Body of Christ
by Deacon Dominic Romaguera, SOS BOD member (First Printed in Servant News: 3Q/2017)
Deacon Dominic blessing a 99-year-old lady.
Unified by a single purpose, our groups from Houston and Austin journeyed to the city of Joyabaj, Guatemala. Our mission, guided by the Holy Spirit, was to share our faith and love of God. This mission started, as it should, united in prayer. It was an incredible experience to see our group of 19, ranging in age from 16 to their 60s, coming together without complaints, with our hearts on fire, eager to engage with our neighbors in Guatemala; when in reality the restrooms, the long walks, and the long hours took many of us far from our comfort zones. Pope Francis says, “Works of love directed to one’s neighbor are the most perfect external manifestation of the interior grace of the Spirit,” and this is the grace we shared as we traversed the paths in Guatemala.
“...at the very heart of the Gospel is life in community and engagement with others. The content of the first proclamation has an immediate moral implication centered on charity.”
Our group meetings each brought a unique view of the faith to the brothers and sisters we met, because we shared from our hearts which are individually special in God’s eyes. The response from our Mayan hosts was incredible. It brought me an awareness of the beauty and simplicity of the faith of these people. It was easy to feel their love shared for our God, and for the Eucharist. This central theme of “Eucharist” was one that unified our trip. From our main focus on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we saw in these Mayan neighbors, their added focus on family. So many times 2, 3, and even 4 generations were living together, praying together, with care and focus on the important things in life; faith in God, care for each other, and the education of their children. It was amazing how much we learned from them:
a man who felt an obligation to God to share his faith with his family and those he encountered.
a woman, 99 years old, who grew up in the Mayan faith, married a Catholic man, then converted to Catholicism in her 70s.
but for me, one of the most touching moments, was watching our different groups meet with children, teens, and adults with a unified focus of the Eucharist, and seeing the gratitude and affection of each...especially seeing some of the adult men with tears in their eyes after reflecting on the meaning of Eucharist.
Many times the Spirit of God can change our best laid plans, but with a better plan in mind. The plan for our third day was changed from home visits and presentations on the Eucharist to respond to an invitation from Bishop Bianchetti to join in a procession to remember the three priests murdered for their faith in 1980. The realization of this invitation brought a special feeling of being included ... and united... with this community; not only united, but truly welcomed to be part of this special event. So many people of the city were involved in the procession to the Cathedral, the mass, and then a shared lunch together. I couldn’t help but reflect on the symbolism of the Eucharist in remembering these Martyrs during this procession, meal, and mass. We were united in purpose, united in spirit, united in desire, united in heart and love...but why not, isn’t that the true meaning of Eucharist—the one body of Christ—Texan and Guatemalan.
