Thankfulness along the road

Monday, November 23, 2009

*Father Luis A. Rivero - Archdiocese of Miami

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Back in August, I reflected upon my vocational journey using the analogy of a road trip. While the months have quickly passed, I assure you that there is still some road left to travel. Nonetheless, I want to take this opportunity, as we sit at the rest stop, to tell you a little more about what has occurred along the road – a road that has gotten interesting, to say the least. This is almost like that part of the trip where driving too fast is not an option because you want to enjoy the beautiful view that surrounds you. During these months, in particular after my ordination to the transitional diaconate, I have experienced many graces for which I cannot help but be thankful.

Up to this date I have experienced Christ’s presence in the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in New York City, where I worked and lived for the summer months. There I witnessed God’s loving mercy and kindness through the many people who suffered some form of illness. I experienced Christ’s compassion and love for us to a great degree. I also made new friends, particularly in the house where I lived; this constantly reminded me that Christ is truly present through the Holy Spirit in our very midst.

Upon returning to Miami, I was assigned to my home parish, St. Timothy, for my diaconate year. Thus far it has been a beautiful experience to be among the people from which my vocation was born. It has been beautiful to share with them the many moments of joy and challenges that are present in every family. I have been blessed with the gift of baptizing over a dozen infants and witnessing marriages. I was also graced with celebrating the parish’s 50th anniversary and remembering the past while looking forward with great hope toward the future. I also had the opportunity to share with my alma mater, St. John Vianney College Seminary, 50 years of priestly formation - a great celebration, which highlights the important work building the Kingdom of God that takes place on 33 acres in Westchester.

In the midst of all this excitement, that gentle voice of the divine GPS continues to guide me. Balancing the four areas of formation - spiritual, academic, pastoral and human - the seminary continues to serve as that navigational system. The ride here has been very exciting and there have been so many beautiful scenes along the way. The road has gotten very exciting, and at times challenging, with a few scattered showers but nothing to deter me.

As Thanksgiving approaches I have many things to be thankful for. I have many faces which I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt serve as witnesses to Christ by simply holding up a road sign along the way. In the midst of a world where the finances are ever more pressing, the social structures which we are used to are changing and things are no longer the way they used to be, I cannot help but be thankful.

I thank God everyday for the many blessings he has bestowed upon me. I thank him for the gift of priesthood, in this Year for Priests, and for the many good examples he has placed before me. I thank him for St. John Vianney’s 50 years of priestly formation and for my parish family at St. Timothy. I thank him for my vocation to the ministerial priesthood and the many graces received.

What are you thankful for?

Deacon Luis Rivero
Seminarian, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach