 |
Name
Paul Ybarra |
|
Hometown
Los Angeles, CA |
Occupation
Husband, father, Apparatus Operator, LA
City Fire Department |
Introduction
It is 5:50 a.m. and firefighter Paul Ybarra
hasn’t slept all night. He is coming to
the end of a 72-hour shift, when the station
alarm sounds. He takes his place at the wheel
of the station’s truck as firefighters
drop through the ceiling on poles. Within seconds,
Los Angeles Task Force 39 is down the street,
lights flashing and sirens blaring.
Even when he’s on the run, and he usually
is, Paul tries to turn his work into prayer.
St. Josemaria’s spirituality has taught
him how to find God right in the middle of all
the action.
How did you first encounter the Spirituality
of St. Josemaria?
A friend at church invited me to an evening
of recollection. I was impressed by the people
I met there and have been involved ever since.
What do you feel you have now that
you didn’t have before you met the Spirituality
of St. Josemaria?
I have frequent opportunities to talk with priests
who are excellent confessors and I receive very
good spiritual direction. I share camaraderie
with friends who take their professions and
their faith seriously. I belong to a spiritual
family.
What is the hardest part about living
the spirituality of St. Josemaria?
Trying to be saint and living my life to the
fullest. It would be much easier to just be
lukewarm and coast through life and seek only
my own satisfaction.
How has the spirituality of St. Josemaria
helped you?
I have learned to always begin again and never
quit trying. I can see that God loves me like
I love my children and that my spiritual life
is very important, especially the reception
of the sacraments.
These were things that my father taught me and
that were reinforced by the members of Opus
Dei. I believe that these ideas were always
deep down in me and the Spirituality of St.
Josemaria helped draw them out.
Are you happier because of St. Josemaria’s
Spirituality?
I think I was happy before but now I have a
clearer understanding of my purpose here on
earth. I am very grateful for the help I have
received from Opus Dei and St. Josemaria’s
Spirituality in living a spiritual life with
my family and in my professional work.
