A Faithful Follower of God

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

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By Reina Mosqueda

Columban Lay Missionary in Taiwan

When I was young, my family was neither religious nor active in the parish. Although my eight siblings and I were all baptized in the Catholic Church, we did not go to church like other Catholic families in our neighborhood. My father held different beliefs and hated the Catholic faith, especially the priests. My mother, on the other hand, often agreed with my father to avoid conflicts with him. Growing up, I did not have an idea of who Jesus was because we did not talk about it at home. But there is one member in the family who was brave and courageous in expressing his faith and love in God - my brother, Levy.

Levy is the third older brother. Growing up, he was very much aware of the poor financial condition of our family. He used to trek the almost two-hour walk from our house to the farm so he can gather wood or vegetables to sell.

He was a teenager when he started going to mass every Sunday. He found fulfillment in listening to the homilies of the parish priest and the songs of the choir. Because of this newfound interest, he did not feel disappointed over our family’s financial condition. The physical hard work he did on the farm felt light and satisfying, knowing that God was with him. He did not feel discouraged because he found joy in everything he did.

His desire to know God became stronger every day. He tuned in to the Catholic radio station, joined a Bible study group, bought spiritual books, joined a charismatic community, and became a catechist in the parish. Through these activities and the formation he received in the church, he developed a deep relationship with God. He saw God as his strength and great provider. He believed that following Him and His teachings would make him inherit His kingdom, his ultimate goal as a Christian.

This did not please my father. Whenever our father arrived home drunk, even if it was in the middle of the night, he would get a bible and start an argument. My brother did not fight back and did not hold grudges against our father. Instead, he forgave and prayed for him. His relationship with God shaped his Christian values and character.

From an early age, this biblical passage became my brother’s great reminder of God’s love for him. He believed that the graces of courage and determination he had during those times of searching for the call of God were the manifestations of God’s faithfulness to him. Nevertheless, God had a different plan for my brother Levy. He got an opportunity to study in a Catechetical Center for two years for free on the condition that he would teach in the parish school. And after some years of working in the school as a Religion teacher, he found his future wife in the parish who was also a catechist at that time. After getting married, he studied a four-year course in college majoring in Mathematics. At present, my brother is a public-school elementary teacher. He did not become a monk or a religious but he continues to serve God in his parish together with his own family.

The fulfilment and deep joy I witnessed in my brother’s journey were the reasons why I also desired to follow God. He inspired me to put my faith and trust in God’s divine providence and to learn more about the life and teachings of Jesus so I can also share His great love for His people. I also became a student catechist in high school and took up a course majoring in Religious Education. God is truly faithful and generous to His people. He gave me my brother, who led me to know and love Him. I hope that like my brother, I may lead other people to know God’s great love for them with deep joy and a heart that is fulfilled.

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Levy with his wife Malou and son LJ