In the January edition of the magazine 21, published by the Iberian Province, a brief interview with Pablo Bernal sscc, features in the section “A Coffee with …..” Pablo who made his perpetual profession on 28th November. Here is the text:
If there is one thing that defines him as a religious, it is that everything about him (his gestures, his words, his way of being everywhere) speaks of his relationship with God. We had a Coffee with Paul, alone and without sugar, just after he confirmed his yes forever to the Lord.
You have just celebrated your perpetual profession as a religious of the Sacred Hearts.
Perpetual profession is the "forever" of religious life. It means that I commit myself to live according to the religious vows and as a member of the community throughout my life and in all aspects of my life. And even more: it means that I place this "forever" in God's hands, knowing that it is not a question of voluntarism.
What makes a 30-year-old young man want to be religious?
It would be better to ask what makes him want to stay religious! (laughs) Although I am now a perpetually professed religious, I have been living as a brother in temporary vows for eight years. And it has been important for me to come to realize that the reasons that led me to want to be a religious are different from those that are motivating me now. If I had to choose only one reason for this step, I would give it with hope.
How can you be sure that this is what the Lord is asking of you?
I just don't. Moreover, I tend to mistrust certainties as far as God's will is concerned. Indeed, nothing worthwhile is undertaken with absolute certainty! And this is coming from an inveterate rationalist! But this is not about blind trust either, which seems to me to be a nonsense. Although I don't have any certainties, I do have some indications that this is where God is asking me to go. The most important indication, I think, is my free will to embrace this way of life. Another great sign has to do with what I said before about hope: experiencing how my limits are not as great an obstacle as I thought to give myself to others.
You studied Mathematics and Theology... where do science and faith meet?
Shall we order another coffee? (laughs) This is a question that always comes up and I have struggled with the question for a long time. If I were to make an effort to summarize, I would say that science and faith meet in reality. They are paths to the truth, which will always be bigger and a little bit beyond one and the other. Science and faith involve each other: science without faith explains, but leaves us without meaning; faith without science smells of fanaticism and domination.
Any advice to help young people discern about their lives?
Of course! Something they already know, I’m sure: venture to know Jesus with an open heart, as Lord and Friend; look for a person who is both free and wise who can accompany them; and overcome the fear of freedom.
01/05/2021