How I Met the Home
Maria Jesús Jimenez
Well, I truly think that I’m still meeting the Home. I am still getting to know it. What I mean to say is that, like all of God’s works, the Home surpasses man and I will never completely get to know it. It was eleven years ago that I decided to go to a get-together of the Home of the Mother in Priego. I was invited by Sr. Rocio, a classmate of mine from the faculty of Pharmacy. I am convinced that it was completely providential and that it was Our Lady who caused it all to happen. As I write this, I must at least thank Her and feel how my littleness is raised up before Her immensity.
It was a true “bombardment from God.” I felt that my soul was being filled with that “living water” which I so greatly needed. I went from one surprise to another, seeing how that which was curbed by my usual desire for comfort, was opened with an unsuspected strength, breaking down the barriers which my mediocre Catholicism had created.
It was Holy Week of 1994, the year of the families, and the topic for that Holy Week Encounter was precisely John Paul II’s letter to the families. From the very first moment I met people, the majority of whom were young people, who made me forget my apprehensions with their joy, amiability, service, and respect. And they did it all through Christ and for Christ. It was then that I met Mamie. They told me that she was unbelievable and they were right. All her external fragility became strength, frankness and profound devotion when you were with her. I remember how in her presence, tears came to my eyes. Perhaps it was because I understood that God was asking me to put my hands to the task. The following days were days of intense prayer, of great discoveries, such as the praying of the Rosary, of talks, celebrations, and of powerful testimonies of faith. I was very happy. I had found people who were and wished to continue being witnesses of Jesus Christ in the world. They were people who were coherent in their faith. They were shouting to me, telling me that it IS possible to be a Christian in the midst of a society that is so impoverished in moral values. I had found my path.
Ever since that moment, I have continued going to Holy Week Encounters, get-togethers, Home Centers, pilgrimages. All these events have continued opening to me the doors of the profound spirituality of the Home. The Home has brought me closer to Our Lady, who is my teacher and my Model, always sweet and pure. The Home has led me to see Her as a true Mother who takes care of us and who intercedes for all of us. I now remember how in the most important moments of these last few years (my courtship, my marriage, the birth and baptism of my sons, and even the moments of doubt and discouragement), I have always turned to Our Blessed Mother, who with love and patience has helped me to feel the hand of God. Through Her, I learn to live the Eucharist as the greatest mystery of the love of Jesus Christ for His Church and I am frequently moved to think about my own miseries and His greatness, (once again You surrender Yourself for us, Lord!) peeking out on the infinity of divine Love which surpasses that which is rational.
The Home has also shown me the necessity of taking Christ to the young people, who are the future of the Church. I have seen that there is hope in this youth that is so many times presented to us as a failure and that our beloved Pope John Paul II so much loved and took care of. What a living example of faith he was!
I must give thanks to so many people who throughout these years have taught me to fall in love with God, to seek Him through prayer and the sacraments, directing my life to give it meaning, and making me truly feel the Home as my home. I hope that the example of Christ and the Blessed Virgin may always be present in me and that I may respond with love to all the love that I have received.
©HM Magazine No.126 - September/October 2005
