There are times in life when we have to learn new things. There always seems to be some trepidation to do so because then we might make a mistake and disappoint someone. But we are imperfect beings, and the only perfect One is God.
Over the past three years, I’ve had to change my exercise routine due to chronic back pain. The doctor recommended I do only three kinds of exercise: swimming, walking, and biking. I tried the last two without success because they caused even more pain until it became unbearable. The only option left was swimming, but there was a big problem: I didn’t know how to swim. I had only taken one swimming class during summer vacation 35 years prior. The other problem is if I don’t exercise at all, I gain weight very quickly.
I had no other choice; I had to learn to swim at 45 years of age. I was a self-taught student; I would search for information on YouTube and then go to a pool at the Community Center near my house to put it into practice. One of my teachers used to say, “Definition and practice, otherwise you won’t make progress.” The first week I held onto a pool noodle hoping with all my might not to sink to the bottom of the 10-foot pool. Every time I finished, I thanked God for making it out alive. Little by little, I gained more confidence and the perseverance to reach my goal, which was to swim better than the day before. After nine months, I was able to swim freestyle consistently without any kind of flotation device.
In today’s Gospel, we see an example of the fact that we can always continue learning, but we don’t always take advantage of the opportunities that come our way. Jesus tries to warn the disciples that He is about to be handed over to His Passion, but they don’t understand. The passage ends with the words, “and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” The same thing can happen to us. We could have the opportunity to learn, but out of fear, being afraid of looking foolish or shame for not having learned it before, we don’t ask.
As long as we have life within us, we can continue learning every day. Many times we have to put our fears aside to give it a try. God is waiting for us to swim alongside Him. Every day He has a message for us in our daily prayers; He always has something to tell us so we can continue learning. We need to have that thirst to follow His will and walk hand in hand with Him. He will not let us drown in our problems. God is our Teacher through every stroke of life and our salvation.
Hay momentos en la vida donde uno tiene que aprender nuevas cosas. Siempre hay algún temor de hacerlo porque es algo natural del ser humano de querer no equivocarse y provocar alguna decepción. Pero somos seres imperfectos, lo cual el único perfecto es Dios.
En los últimos tres años tuve que cambiar de rutina de ejercicios por el dolor de espalda que estoy sufriendo. El doctor me recomendó solo tres ejercicios: nadar, caminar y bicicleta, de los cuales intenté los últimos dos sin tener éxito porque el dolor aumentaba y era insoportable. La única opción que quedaba era nadar, pero había un gran problema, no sabía nadar. Solo había tomado una clase de natación en las vacaciones escolares hace 35 años. El otro problema era si no hago ningún ejercicio, subo de peso rápidamente.
No quedaba de otra, había que aprender a nadar a mis 45 años. Tuve que ser autodidacta, buscando información en YouTube e ir a nadar en una piscina en un club cerca de mi casa para ponerla en práctica. Un profesor de mi escuela decía “definición y práctica, sino no se avanza”. La primera semana estaba agarrado a un flotador con la esperanza de no hundirme en las profundidades de la piscina que eran 10 pies. Cada vez que terminaba, agradecía a Dios por salir vivo de la piscina. Poco a poco fui teniendo más confianza y constancia para llegar a mi meta, que era poder nadar mejor que antes. Después de nueve meses, puedo nadar el estilo libre constantemente sin necesidad del flotador.
En el Evangelio de hoy, vemos un ejemplo del hecho de que siempre podemos seguir aprendiendo, pero no siempre aprovechamos de ella. Jesus intenta advertir a los discípulos que iba a ser entregado a su pasión pero no entienden. Termina con las palabras, “Y tenían miedo de preguntarle acerca de este asunto”. Lo mismo puede pasar con nosotros. Podríamos tener la oportunidad de aprender, pero por miedo, por temor a parecernos tontos, por vergüenza a no haberlo aprendido anteriormente, no preguntamos.
Mientras tengamos vida, podemos seguir aprendiendo cada día. Muchas veces tenemos que dejar nuestros miedos a un costado para intentarlo. Dios nos está esperando para que nademos junto a Él. Todos los días tiene un mensaje en las oraciones diarias, siempre tiene algo que decirnos para seguir aprendiendo. No somos seres perfectos, más bien necesitamos tener esa sed de seguir su voluntad y caminar de la mano junto a Él. No nos va a dejar ahogarnos en los problemas. Dios es nuestro Maestro de vida y nuestra salvación.
Felix Urcia was born in Lima, Peru. He moved the U.S. to complete his college degree in Computer Science at Northern Kentucky University. He is passionate about his faith, his family, education and soccer. When he is not homeschooling and caring for his young children he enjoys personal programing projects and sports analysis. He and wife live in a small town in Western Michigan where they enjoy spending time with their five children.
Feature Image Credit: Brian Matangelo, unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-black-one-piece-swimsuit-jumping-on-swimming-pool-during-daytime-gRof2_Ftu7A
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Christine Arata is a San Francisco, California native. She lives a few blocks away from the ocean and a park. She finds nature inspiring. Her cat brings her comfort. She loves being creative not only with her writing but with almost everything, including her home cooking. Her studies in the Catholic faith are ongoing. In 2019, when she discovered St. Hildegard of Bingen was underrepresented by Catholics, she found a purpose. Her latest website, St. Hildegard’s Wisdom features blog posts about all of that: 
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Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and eleven grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is 
Kimberly Andrich writes from the perspective of having a hidden, chronic illness and experiencing a deep, continuous conversion through being yoked to Jesus in the day-to-day trials and joys of life. She is a wife, mother of 5, and daughter of the King. Kimberly also writes for 
Merridith Frediani loves words and is delighted by good sentences. She also loves Lake Michigan, dahlias, the first sip of hot coffee in the morning, millennials, and playing Sheepshead with her husband and three kids. She writes for Catholic Mom, Diocesan.com, and her local Catholic Herald. Her first book Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman’s Guide to Adoration is available at Our Sunday Visitor and Amazon. You can learn more at 
Former NPS Park Ranger, Catholic educator, and Youth Minister, Melissa Lucca now spends her days evangelizing family and neighbors as a stay-at-home mom. She holds an MA in Theology from the Augustine Institute and pursues personal study in her spare time. Melissa loves Ignatian Spirituality, Mother Mary, and rock climbing. If you don’t hear her and her kiddo laughing at home, then they are probably out on an adventure!
Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed.; M.P.A., is a certified spiritual director, writer, speaker and content creator. The 
Mike Karpus is a regular guy. He grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, graduated from Michigan State University and works as an editor. He is married to a Catholic school principal, raised two daughters who became Catholic school teachers at points in their careers, and now relishes his two grandchildren, including the older one who is fascinated with learning about his faith. He also has served on a Catholic school board, a pastoral council and a parish stewardship committee. He currently is a lector at Mass, a Knight of Columbus, Adult Faith Formation Committee member and a board member of the local Habitat for Humanity organization. But mostly he’s a regular guy.
Hailing from Nashville, Catherine is a graduate of Christendom College with a lifelong passion for words. Her love of writing and her Catholic Faith continue to shape her as a freelance editor, copywriter, and (aspiring) novelist, where she pursues her passions for the love and greater glory of God.
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