Juggling for Jesus

PONCE. The grace and gift of faith has made his life worth living—and sharing. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

At the recently concluded 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City, a number of famous spiritual speakers and theologians drew thousands of avid listeners—but one of the most unexpectedly popular attractions turned out to be an Argentinian circus performer, Paul Ponce, who literally “juggled for Jesus Christ.”

His unique life story is that he travels around the world not just to entertain people with his expertise at juggling—but, after he’s “hooked” them, he proceeds to talk “from the heart” to them about how his faith has vibrantly transformed him into the exceptionally caring and sharing person he has become.—No complicated theological insights and arguments are involved, just one uniquely believing and loving man expressing his intense gratitude for the grace and gift of faith that has made his life worth living—and sharing!

Born into a famous circus family that has enabled him to perform for many topnotch troupes like the Cirque du Soleil, Ponce luxuriated in the fame and fortune that came in the course of his high-flying career—but, after a while, he realized that, in terms of actual happiness and joy, he was coming up empty.

Clearly, he needed to reevaluate his priorities. His life began to change when he received the sacrament of confirmation at the “advanced” age of 21.

With his outlook on life more focused, Ponce felt the need to look for a wife, after years of dallying with a number of lovely women in different parts of the world.

Inner beauty

This time around, however, he was looking more for inner beauty—and he finally found it in Lia, a lissome Mexican who also gave her faith top priority.

Their three children, Pablo, Jose and Lili, have also started to learn how to juggle, and travel all over the world with them.

When they appear and perform as a family, the “juggling for Jesus” Ponces don’t have to preach in verbal terms, the love and faith they share as a family shines across the footlights clearly and brightly, wordlessly inspiring viewers to also love their own families and friends.

When they “performed” as a family at the IEC in Cebu last month, the Ponces made the strongest impression on viewers because they vivified what Eucharistic devotion and fealty should be about!