Remembering Rendell

Don't know why I suddenly thought of him, but I'm sure God has His reasons.

On June 9, 2004, I was an emotional wreck. Spiritually, God was sustaining me as I found myself flung overboard into the strange waters of the deep, but the crisis was something I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined I'd be experiencing. Talk about going out - being shoved, albeit lovingly, is more like it - out of one's comfort zone. For the first time in my young life as a Christian, God presented me with an overwhelming choice: commitment to something that had become the central focus of my life or submission to the call of conscience. He was insistent, I responded to what I prayed was His calling, and now I know it was His direction all along, and His blueprint that was unfolding.

On June 9, 2004, despite two years in the renewal, I did not know a single priest personally - except for my Tito Father Dante Venus, SVD and Father Steve Tynan, mgl who I hadn't even said ten words to (that's changed much since then!). And in this time of turmoil (you can call it spiritual, but even then I knew that the Lord had His hand firmly on the rudder), a priest was the one person I needed to talk to! Priests used to terrify me (I wasn't a very good Catholic - I'm still not, but this time at least I'm actually trying), just like dentists still terrify me: you know that they're there to help and that visiting them is for your own good, but there's the stigma of shame that comes with baring the dark cavities of your life, and there is always some amount of pain involved before the relief comes. So anyway, on June 9, 2004 - my youngest sister's birthday - I was supposed to meet Rhia, one of my oldest and best friends, to "cry" on her shoulder (although, for some strange reason, I didn't shed any tears until very much later when my favorite brother-in-Christ started the waterworks over the phone!) and perhaps have some lunch. By some uncanny twist of faith, Mia's birthday luncheon (which was previously scheduled to be a birthday dinner) was held at the very same restaurant where I was supposed to meet Rhia, and so I didn't have to cancel on anyone. Good thing I didn't, because on June 9, 2004, I met my very first priest-friend. Well, OK, future priest-friend (he's taking Philosophy and Theology classes for the next year or so and living in a discernment house before entering seminary proper). After I'd unloaded my sorrows on Rhia, I apologized to him for being so rude and burdening them (him, especially, an unwitting lunch companion!) with my troubles. And he had this to say, which I shall never forget, because God spoke through this stranger at this turbulent point of my life: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." (Hosea 6:6)

And mercy was what God was calling me to offer at that point in time, to give Him mercy through the least of our brothers: to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, comfort the ill and visit the imprisoned. On June 9, 2004, I met Neil's cousin Rendell, the future Father Rendell, and through Him God gave the confirmation I most desperately needed. And, in the evening of June 9, 2004, with Rhia, Mia, and Rendell, I visited for the first time a place where I received - and continue to receive - God's mercy: He Cares. My life has never been the same since, praise God!

More than a year later, I find myself a lay missionary (and still training very hard at it), serving God through He Cares. I'm no longer in active legal practice (although our managing partner Kenneth is in denial). My writing is just something that puts a little money (very little) in the bank, and once again I've taken up teaching the law on the side as well (ah Honey, ye of little trust in God's Providence!). I've given up most everything that used to preoccupy my life, or at least I'm in the process of giving it up - and most people tell me what a shame it is for me to waste my career and education and experience!

Well, I'm in good company, I think. Aside from the people I work with in the mission, who have traded in their careers to continue the Lord's ministry on earth, I present to you as Exhibit "A" Dr. Rendell Torres, Ph.D., M.S., B.S.. Professor, acoustic architect, civil engineer, concert cellist. Man of God. The son-in-law my father will never have (ha ha - my Dad fell in love with him 10 seconds after meeting him!). I know he'll be one extraordinary priest someday, because he gave up an already extraordinary life to pursue one that's truly out of this world. God bless you, Father Rendell - may His light continue to shine through you in this life!