Cristian Nazer Astorga complied 30 years of consecration to God in the Regnum Christi. He is a member of the lays consecrateds from Regnum Christi and is currently a member of its general council. For him, these 30 years have been a path of surrender, an adventure of love, fidelity and spiritual growth. Talking to him, we shares his experiences, challenges, and learnings in this tour of God's hand.
A cof paz and .legría
Cristian comments from the beginning that his vocation has not been without trials, but that at every step he has felt the closeness of God. «It has been a beautiful journey in the that I have always felt the presence of God very close to me, who in surprising ways never ceases to accompany me.». Although recognizes the moments difficult that have marked her consecrated life, a background of peace and joy has always prevailed.
He imagine what his life would have been like without this call and, even though he think who would have experienced the same joys and difficulties, go to one big difference: the inner peace that only God can give. «That state of inner peace would not have been there and, perhaps, the final sum would have been negative rather than positive as I see it today.», he reflects.
«Because, just like a child holding his father's hand, he is not interested in the landscape but in the sensation of being physically united to his father. . who has walked with me».
Your day has not only been a quest for achievement, but the recognition that the same path is in itself a gift. For him one image defines his experience: a child walking hand in hand with his father and who, more than the scenery, enjoys the security of being united with him. «So today I appreciate the road and the one who has walked with me, who, curiously enough, is the one who has walked with me. “the Way”».
Time has passed quickly, and that sense of fleetingness is is rewarded with the wealth of experiences. «God has allowed me to, in these 30 years, have many valuable experiences that I treasure today and, like Maria, I am looking for meditn in my heart».
Know me .mado .command
Un phrase has taken shape in his heart in all these years: to know that I am loved by loving. «Knowing that I am loved by God is the source of peace and joy; knowing that I am loved is what makes man happy.», he says. This certainty is what drives him every day to get up and fulfill his mission: to love, work for grow in the virtue and serving others.
That The motto has become a virtuous circle: the act of loving makes it him more aware of how much he is loved. «It's a dynamic that reflects a lot of what happens in my soul, sometimes consciously and many times without realizing it». And today, in retrospect, tells us that addgo to one more nuance: joy. «The joy of knowing I am loved while loving».
«I feel that these three verb conjugations form a dynamic that reflects much of what goes on in my soul, sometimes consciously, many times without so much awareness.».
Faith in difficult times
The road to consecration is not without its crises., of difficult moments, even of sadness. Cristian has faced those moments both at a personal and personal level. at the community level, situations that have tested their vocation, but without question .r of their call.
«Knowing that I am loved has been fundamental, because nothing changes that essential fact, no matter how dark the circumstances may be.», he shares. In the face of the crisis, his response has been clear: trust more, pray more, accept that not everything depends on him and rely on his community. «God is faithful, he comes to your side and restores your calm, as in the tempestad calm. He will do it when He sees fit, when it serves me best.».
«I must say that, by the grace of God, never since I finally said yes to God have I doubted my vocation and that is a strong pillar that has kept me afloat in situations that humanly could have knocked me down.».
This fidelity de God that he has experienced in his life has also been reflected in others. «Perceiving God's action in others is perhaps the greatest joy of these years.». In every person he accompanies spiritually, in every advice he gives, in every chance encounter, ve present esa hand of God that transforms lives. «It is wonderful to see how the light returns toI have in circumstances where there seemed to be only darkness», comments.
Challenges and esperanza en la Juventud
Cristian Nazer, in his experience as a rector of the University Finis Terrae, has been witness to the challenges facing youth today. «We live in a culture that encourages individualism, which pushes people to withdraw into themselves in search of happiness that they will never find.», he explains. In a world where immediate gratification is valued and commitment is feared, talk of the vocation and to discern becomes more challenging.
Your advice parto young people is clear: service is the key to opening up to true happiness. Cristian has a conviction: «Whether or not they believe in God, it is the service to others that will open their horizons.». He also underlines the importance of accompaniment, of being close to the young people so that they feel secure in their journey.
«It is an enormous privilege that God wants to count on our poor existence to transmit his love to other people. Knowing that I am an instrument of God is a manifestation of knowing that I am loved.».
«To learn to swim you have to let go of the shore. And how hard it is to separate your fingers from the rail...», he comments with a metaphor. Just as someone supported us in our first attempts at swimming, today's young people need someone to help them make the leap to a meaningful life.
And what would you say to a young person who is considering the possibility of following God? Of pursuing a vocation to the consecrated life? Or simply discerning what God wants for his or her life? Three pieces of advice: First of all, do not be afraid. «Cs Benedict XVI repeated, God takes nothing from us and gives us everything. Jesus Christ often reminds us: do not be afraid, do not be afraid; for fear paralyzes and a road cannot be traveled without moving.».
The segundo advice: «to foster a life of prayer, because it is in attentive listening to the voice of God that we discover the path that He has dreamed for each one of us since our creation. Spend time with Him, because Jesus is the first one interested in our following Him.».
Y the third: «let yourself be guided, one step at a time, do not pretend to understand everything immediately, because God likes to surprise us and he reveals his plan gradually.».
Cristian Nazar in brushstrokes:
- Book that has marked your life: «Jesus Christ» by Bishop Bougaud
- Regnum Christi is: the way in which God loves me and allows me to love Him.
- Gospel phrase that inspires you the most: «Lord, You know everything, You know that I love You» (Jn 21,17).
- The Eucharist is: my rest.
- Your apostolate: God's love in action.
- To get to heaven you have to... to know oneself loved by loving.
- A song you would listen to every day: «Vida en abundancia», a song composed by Mechi Ruiz, Sole and Berni.
30 years of consecrated life that have been worthwhile and that continue to count... Cristian sums up his experience in one sentence: the joy of to know oneself loved by loving. Every step of the way, every step of the way, every step of the way, every step of the way, every step of the way, every step of the way difficulty overcome, in university youth that has been able to accompaniesr, in every person who has seen get ahead for the love of God, this truth has been made stronger, more convincing.
