Movies tend to depict God's voice as a booming deep and manly voice that seems to shout out to you when you need to hear him most.... If only it was that simple and distinct to hear.

The truth is, trying to understand what God is speaking to you is really pretty confusing.  Many times we leave this conversation only within speaking about Sacramental vocations.... Things such as the priesthood and religious life.  However the more daily non-sacramental vocations that we live as the laity seem to need even more guidance when it comes to these things.  When you live as a consecrated religious, at the end of the day if your superior says it so then you have a simple answer as to what is the will of God in your life.  But when you are a single or married person, trying to engage the culture for Christ each and every day, at work, at school, on the streets, and on the internet filtering through the noise of the world is very difficult.

Don't get me wrong, I am in no way reducing the stresses of religious life at all. I am only speaking to the reality I know as a member of the laity, who lives within this missionary role.

Of course we are told the basics... Have an active prayer life.  Receive the sacraments. Read your bible daily. Have a spiritual director. Go through continuous formation. Read the lives of the Saints... And of course all of these help.  However, how do you know moments when God is asking you to "Go" or to "Stay".

I post this because not only is it a question I am faced with time and time again by teens, parents, and just people I meet every day - but it is also a crossroad I currently find myself at. (Before moving forward and any assumptions are made; I am not questioning faith or thinking about leaving the church or anything of that sort).  

I find myself in a time wondering if I should take new risks, and get uncomfortable once again.  Traveling, and external ministry work is growing but at the same time some deep relationships have been built locally and walking alongside young people and their families is where my heart grows in so much more affection for the Lord.  Navigating through all of it, and working between conflicting schedules becomes more and more difficult.... Not to mention providing income to support your family.  Especially when you yourself are a minority, working mainly in lower income communities it is not as easy as fundraising or crowdfunding a salary.

Yesterday I found myself before the blessed sacrament for almost 3 hours and all I could understand the Lord saying in the depths of my heart was "Do you trust me?".... The easy answers are yes and no, but I don't know if it is that simple.  Do I trust that he can see through the battles and politics of local ministry? - yeah of course.  Its been frustrating at times, but yeah.... Do I trust that somehow, someway he will continue to provide means for me to provide for my family? - well yeah... it's been hard but he hasn't let us down.  Do I trust he is going to open new doors? - yeah.... he continues to do so.

The questions could easily continue, however the specifics of the clear answer I want seems to stay ambiguous(at least with my limited human understanding).  Please pray with me, as I continue to trust God will see this all through as he takes me through uncharted waters.  I will offer each of these struggles also for you that his will for your life may also become more clear. Amen.

- The Symbol
- All is Love

I had the opportunity to collaborate with Hard as Nails ministry's Justin Fatica in creating this video for their Lenten series in connection with his book "You're Amazing".  Below the video you can see all of the information connected with it.... Please like, comment, share; but most importantly take time to pray and apply the challenges in the video.

- The Symbol
​- All is Love

Another great meeting today here in the Bronx with some of our local leaders.  If your parish or group would like to join us to help with some techniques, strategies, and knowledge of how to connect with your youth please send an email with the subject "Youth Ministers Assemble".  We meet once a month on a Saturday morning.

- The Symbol
- All is Love

I have been told I wear too many hats... both literally with the ones I put on my head, and with the many things I am involved in.

When it comes to the literal ones.... It's just my culture. I am not used to having my head bare.  As a kid, my father would always ask me "Where's your hat?" before leaving the house and as I matured into middle school and high school it became a sort of social statement I never have been able to leave completely from.  I know it may sound weird or cliche, however truly "wherever I lay my hat is home."  It is only in mass and in my literal home that you will commonly see me without some kind of head gear.... In fact something me and my wife have bumped heads on is how much closet space my many hats take up.

When it comes to my talents, gifts, and connections to various things I think they are rooted in teachings from my grandfather.  Everyone who knows him can attest to his seemingly endless stories, which contain time in the army as well as the marines; along with shining shoes and sweeping up candy stores as a kid.  They move forward to include teenage gang connections, working as a train operator, as well as a driving instructor, and detective... Not to mention fishing, working for a marketing company, and being a jeweler.   With all of these my Grandfather always taught me, "Not to be afraid to try anything new." (This is even goes with all of the foods we enjoy from all kinds of international cultures).

Both as an artist, and especially as a person of faith this philosophy has helped me to go where most won't go, and to get involved in whatever way I am able to serve.  Although many may use quotes like "A jack of all trades is a master at nothing" to describe me, I would prefer to look at it as St. Paul did saying:

"Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible.To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law—though I am not outside God’s law but within the law of Christ—to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it." - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

So yes - I am a father and husband... I am a youth minister and missionary... A rapper, producer, singer, worship leader, graphic designer, educator, catechist, writer, and film director.... Whatever it takes to bring souls to heaven.... I will be there.

- The Symbol
- All is Love