Reflection: Dcn. Fernando Ayala

A couple of years ago, a very good priest, back in college seminary, told me that it is a good devotion to start praying for all those souls that I’ll be meeting in my ministry. I think that, what I’m looking forward to, the most, during my deacon year is, meeting all those souls that I’ve been praying for. All the souls that God will give to my care, especially in the sacraments. One of the most important sacraments, besides the Eucharist, to me, is the sacrament of Baptism.

Meeting all those souls that I’ve been praying for, I think that’s what I’m looking forward to the most. But not only that; God giving me the care of those souls, especially the care of opening the gates of Heaven to those who are about to enter into the Church in the sacrament of Baptism. I find that, that is one of the greatest acts of humility from God, besides becoming man for us.

For God, to give me, a weak sinner, the trust and the care of a soul, to welcome and to open the gates of Heaven for, through Baptism, is one of the greatest acts of humility. I’m hoping that, during this year, He allows me to see Him in the people I serve, especially in the sacrament of baptism.