The Seed That Became a Tree
If I had to choose an image to describe my vocational journey, it would have to be the one Jesus himself used to describe what the Kingdom of God is like: like a mustard seed, which being the smallest of all, becomes a lush tree. The ways that God employs with each person are, as they say… personal. And there are vocations that arise as if God were planting the tree directly in the ground, others emerge as if by a sudden miracle. In my case, the vocation grew slowly and gently, like a seed that day by day becomes a tree.
The fertile ground where God deposited that seed was my family, a very practicing Catholic family. An environment I realized much later: it was natural to see my dad praying the Rosary or teaching me to pray in front of the image of the Virgin at my school; to see my mom teaching catechism and praying before the tabernacle. These are images I have from childhood and perhaps I will never fully appreciate them. I will never know what that meant and still means in my life today. Thank you for that, Mom and Dad.
When and where was the seed deposited? I wouldn’t be able to specify the exact moment or place. It could have been during a mega mission, during a prayer time in my school chapel, or perhaps while accompanying my family to Holy Mass. The truth is that when that seed started transforming into a small sprout, I felt called to the priestly life with the Legionaries of Christ.
I entered the novitiate in 2008, a few months before an internal process within the congregation began, which has led to rethinking formation, governance, codes, etc. Let’s say I have been shaped by the entire process. However, I believe that although these have been external circumstances, God has been leading me toward a deeper intimacy.
We began as friends; Jesus calls a young heart to follow Him, and this young heart leaves its land and follows very eagerly in the footsteps of His friend. This young heart remembers how the plane took off to go abroad, to where the Friend asked him to go to follow Him. My first years of following Him I lived as a friend who enjoys the company of the other.
I soon realized that this call was not just for me; it is not to be part of an elite or an exclusive group. There are other people involved. I then began to see myself as an instrument as well. A couple of years of apostolic enthusiasm, where I wanted to do things and launch projects to make this friend known. However, the great light on my path came when I discovered that Jesus did not want me as His instrument. An instrument is an object, it is cold, impersonal. God was not calling me to be an instrument; He calls me to be a father. And that is my vocation.
My vocation: that immense gift and undeserved grace that fills my heart and knots my throat. That mystery that, when I think of it, brings tears to my eyes. My vocation. To be your apostle, your disciple, to be your close friend! To live your life. To live as You do. That is what my vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience are for: to follow You and live Your life. So that You may live in me. Friend! My vocation Jesus, what an enormous gift and what a tremendous responsibility. To reflect the goodness of the Father here on earth. To be His arms to embrace and lift up. His eyes to look into the heart. His mouth to bless and encourage, to console and strengthen, to correct and defend. To be His heart to love. That was and is Your life. And You want it to be mine.
And I also desire it, Jesus. If that will be my life, I want to live it fully. No matter how much pain or suffering I have to go through. With You on board in the boat of my life, even if You sometimes sleep, I know I will reach a good port and be able to help others too.
You changed lives, Jesus. The Gospels tell us some episodes of changed lives. You have changed lives throughout history. You changed my life, Jesus of mine, out of pure love. Only You can change lives for good. Only You. But You give me the task and mission to continue Your work and make You present always, everywhere, with all my being. Let it be so, my Jesus. Let’s change lives together. You call me to that: to live as You do, to live as a son; so I can also be a father to many, a faithful reflection of the Heavenly Father. To be a father is to be fruitful. Because my life, Jesus, is to give it as You gave it.
Brief biography.
Father Mario Rodríguez was born in Monterrey on February 21, 1992. He joined the Legionaries of Christ Vocational Center in 2005 and the novitiate in 2008. He studied classical humanities in Salamanca, Spain; and philosophy and theology in Rome. During his apostolic practices, he was an assistant for humanists in Monterrey and an aide for ECYD and the youth section of León. Currently, he is happily serving as director of the youth section and ECYD in Chihuahua, as well as tutor at Prepa Anáhuac. A lover of human life, from a mountain hike, a beer with friends, a night of adoration, or a campfire at the ranch. He is passionate about accompanying others and being, even if only a faint reflection, of God’s goodness the Father for others, especially for young people.
