The means are always the same, but the channels change over time and expand the possibilities. Now there are many resources in the digital world, and among them WhatsApp and Instagram, which are the ones used by the initiative we are presenting.
The home confinement that we experienced in Spain and in many other latitudes a few months ago revealed the tremendous spiritual need we have for God. And the fact is that, many times... we seek and do not find. Or rather, it is difficult for us to know where the sources to look for are. Because the means are always the same: the word of God, prayer and the sacraments. But the channels change with time and need to be adapted to the personal circumstances of each one.
In this sense, in recent months there has been a vast proliferation of digital resources that try to bring God closer to people and people closer to God. However, this is not the case of the network that concerns us today. The network @rezandoconbelen has been in operation for a year. Its promoter, Belén, tells us about her motivations for starting this adventure.
The origins
The chats @rezandoconbelen can be better understood if I tell a little of my life story. Because, in the end, it is an initiative that arose from my personal prayer. I am neither a priest nor a nun, nor do I belong to any ecclesial movement; I am simply a woman who wants to live in love with Jesus Christ, a laywoman who is clear about her baptismal commitment, understood as the universal call to holiness and the living out of Our Lord's command: "Go and preach the Gospel.". But, above all, the word that resonates most strongly within me has been and will continue to be this: "Give freely what you have received freely".
I have not done anything special: I have simply put at the service of others what I have received from the Lord. I have understood that we are all a true and authentic gift of God for others; each one of us has been created in his image and likeness, we come from Love and we are destined to Love. This is well understood when we discover, in a personal way, the restlessness that St. Augustine expressed so beautifully: "You made us Lord, for you, and our heart is restless, until it rests in you.".
Since I was young I dreamed of doing great things; I have had an intense professional and personal life. I am an architect by training and, after completing an MBA in Economics and Business Management, I have dedicated 25 years to management.
I am married and have 2 wonderful children, and I am the first born of a large family, which is one of my greatest prides. I have always considered my family as an emotional breakwater, which has made me strong and resilient in hardship. A few years ago I published my first personal development book. As I tell in those pages, I am proud of many things; everything good has been a gift and the bad, tests that make you stronger and purify you.
However, at this moment in my life, what excites me and warms my heart is this evangelization initiative. I see it as one way, among many, of setting in motion thehe Church on the way out Pope Francis is asking so much of us. In this sense, the chats @rezandoconbelen were born in a natural way, as a need to communicate the greatness of Christ's love, the beauty of the Word of God. Also the wonder of a Church that is mother and teacher, even though it can so often be obscured by the miseries of us Christians.
Our faith is not irrational but supernatural, and there are many reasons to believe and it is necessary to understand them and make them known. On the other hand, God is not reached only by reason but above all by the heart; I advocate an intelligent love, based on a good religious formation and knowledge of the doctrine of the Catholic Church; but, above all, in prayer, in dealing with the Lord in the Eucharist and devotion to Our Heavenly Mother, Mary. To be a Christian, more than fulfilling precepts is, above all, to love. And, above all, to let oneself be loved by the Lord, to let oneself be molded by the Holy Spirit, like clay in the hands of the potter.
A three-course menu
For some time now, I myself have been a member of several Spanish and Latin American groups that disseminate a wide variety of digital initiatives, especially via WhatsApp. Usually one receives a daily content: the Gospel commentary, a reflection, a video, etc. However, it seemed necessary to me to create a daily spiritual menu for each soul, because what may help some may not be useful to others..
That is how I came up with the initiative to set up my chats. @rezandoconbelen as a three-course spiritual menu that, usually consists of: -an audio (elaborated by me) about the holiday or the theme of the day, together with some supporting material (usually pictures, articles, catechesis of the Pope, etc.); -a commentary on the Gospel of the day; -a prayer.
Depending on the special times, there may be a fourth point. For example, in November, a catechesis on the blessed souls in purgatory has been incorporated; in Advent it is a preparation for Christmas. The theme has a common thread, linked to the liturgical moment celebrated by the Church: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, etc. There are also special months: May and October are more dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the devotion of the holy rosary; June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart, etc.
It is important to make it clear that the variety of daily content is not intended to be heard or followed in everything, but rather that everyone can choose what best suits his or her soul.
A chat for every age
At the moment there are four chats running through WhatsApp. Three of them (Praying with Bethlehem, Youth y Pills) have the aforementioned structure and, at this time, the content is very similar among the three, with the exception of the Gospel commentary, which is always different.
The most recent project to join this network was Children praying with Bethlehem. It is intended for children from 4 to 12 years old. It also has three points, which vary according to the rhythm of the liturgical season. Although the structure is similar to that of the adults, the Gospel commentary is only sent on Sundays. The second point is usually a formative video.
This chat is especially intended for parents and grandparents, priests and catechists, who can find in it a reinforcement in the wonderful work of helping the little ones to grow in faith and in the love of Jesus and Mary.
The four chats @rezandocobelen are silent WhatsApp groups, with free entry and exit. Only the administrator sends material, to avoid distractions and communication among participants, who usually do not know each other. People join by receiving a link, which can be shared to all those who may be interested in this content.
I also have a profile on Instagram, called @rezandoconbelenThe audio is only a reminder of certain liturgical feasts or some news of the Church. In the future, I do not rule out opening a YouTube channel or similar to post there, at least, the daily audios.
From these lines, I wish everyone a happy Advent and a beautiful Christmas, in the midst of this pandemic that speaks to us of our indigence and the need to be more humble and more fraternal.
-Belén Regojo
Instagram: @rezandoconbelen
WhatsApp: + 34 615 08 76 76 (to request access link)
