Author: María Martínez
In 2023, I volunteered in Magdala, where I experienced a spiritual transformation that changed my life. During that time, I had an encounter with Christ that I hadn't felt in a long while. Although I had always been a believer, I had never experienced such a deep connection with Him until that moment. I felt as if His mantle wrapped around me, and His love filled me, healing the wounds in my heart. It was a moment of healing and renewal, where I decided to become His apostle and promised to follow Him despite any circumstances or difficulties I might face. Not only did I find a new purpose, but also an immense family that shared my faith and love for Christ.
This year, as a volunteer at the Encounter Magdala 2024, I relived a profoundly spiritual experience that transported me back to those moments in the Holy Land. From the first moment, I felt a renewed closeness to Christ, as if I were touching His mantle again.
It was as if He whispered in my ear: "You are not alone; I am here with you, and I love you." In that instant, I felt an immense embrace that filled my heart with a renewed fire of love and hope.
When the pilgrims began to arrive, something within me changed. I ceased to be just myself and became an instrument of Christ, filled with love and hope for those from different parts of the world. My mission was to share a bit of the experience I had lived in the Holy Land with them, but above all, to share the immense love of Christ. Each Encounter with the pilgrims was an opportunity to offer them a reflection of the deep spiritual connection I had experienced and to be a channel of His love and hope.
Being an apostle of Christ is an experience that completely transforms you. It is a constant invitation to walk by His side and share His love with others. During the Encounter Magdala, we lived the 4 elements of the Encounter: sing, walk, share, and celebrate alongside the pilgrims. It was a clear example of what it means to be an apostle in the modern world. I felt at every moment that Jesus was present, guiding our steps and uniting our hearts in His love. It was like being one of His disciples, called to follow Him and spread that infinite divine love to everyone around us.
As the Encounter progressed, I realized I was not alone in my mission. Christ was by my side, strengthening me and guiding me every step of the way. He reminded me that being His apostle is not just a choice but a calling transcending life's difficulties and trials. It is a privilege and a responsibility to share His love and message with the world, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to do so and follow in His footsteps.
