In a recent conversation with my oldest son, we were discussing the fact that the things that bring the most happiness in life don’t cost a dime. I gave him the examples of the love between couples and quality family time. He went on to dispute (because that’s just what adolescents do) that these things do in fact cost money. He said that for a guy to take his girlfriend out for coffee, it costs money, or for a family to enjoy an outing, even if their destination doesn’t charge an entrance fee, you still need gas and food. I conceded that he had a point, but that I was referring to the sentiments and the actual time spent with loved ones, for I truly believe that money doesn’t buy happiness. I’m not sure I had him convinced…
The following day, I was driving a different route to work due to construction on the main highway and I noticed a crossing guard. I had seen her before on other days but for some reason she struck me differently on this particular day. Now this area of town is not the best, yet there she stood, waving to each car that passed by with a huge smile on her face. Most drivers didn’t bother to wave back and just went on their way, but that day I decided to wave back and offer her my own smile. As I passed her, I noticed just how bright her face was, just how sincere her joy. I decided that perhaps she was one of those angels that God places in our path to make our day just a little bit brighter.
I could definitely say the same about St. John Paul II, whose feast we celebrate today. I had the privilege of seeing him in person at two World Youth Days and he radiated that same kind of bright joy. He suffered so much during his lifetime, including the death of his family members, the plague of communism, his own personal illness, and so much more, yet he always appeared so full of joy.
Today’s Psalm proclaims, “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” No matter how many men rise up against us, no matter how fiercely the raging waters sweep over us, the Lord does not leave us. He rescues us “like a bird from the fowler’s snare”. I’m sure John Paul II was fully aware of this reality, and probably the crossing guard too, and that is what brought them joy. It’s not the absence of problems, but rather the assurance that God is with us through them all. The One who is powerful enough to make Heaven and Earth is our help.
With this knowledge, let us all be a beacon of joy to our world. We have been offered salvation, a relationship with Almighty God, and an infinity of love. We have been entrusted with much, so much will be required of us (see Gospel). Let’s start with shining our light to those around us.
En una conversación reciente con mi hijo mayor, estábamos discutiendo que las cosas que traen más felicidad en la vida no cuestan ni un centavo. Le puse ejemplos del amor de pareja y el tiempo de calidad en familia. Me empezó a discutir (porque eso es lo que hacen los adolescentes) que estas cosas sí cuestan dinero. Dijo que para que un chico invite a su novia a tomar un café, cuesta dinero, o para que una familia disfrute de un paseo, incluso si el destino no cobra entrada, requiere gasolina y comida. Le concedí que tenía razón, pero que me refería a los sentimientos y al tiempo mismo que se pasa con los seres queridos, porque creo firmemente que el dinero no compra la felicidad. No estoy segura de haberlo convencido…
Al día siguiente, iba manejando por una ruta diferente al trabajo debido a la construcción en la carretera principal y vi a una guardia de cruce. La había visto otros días, pero por alguna razón me afectó de forma diferente ese día en particular. Esta zona de la ciudad no es la mejor, pero allí estaba ella, saludando a cada carro que pasaba con una enorme sonrisa. La mayoría de los conductores no tomaron el tiempo de saludar y seguían su camino, pero ese día decidí saludarle y ofrecerle mi propia sonrisa. Al pasar junto a ella, noté lo radiante que era su rostro, lo sincera que era su alegría. Se me ocurrió que tal vez era uno de esos ángeles que Dios pone en nuestro camino para alegrarnos un poco el día.
Sin duda, podría decir lo mismo de San Juan Pablo II, cuya fiesta celebramos hoy. Tuve el privilegio de verlo en persona en dos Jornadas Mundiales de la Juventud e irradiaba esa misma alegría radiante. Sufrió mucho durante su vida, incluyendo la muerte de sus familiares, la plaga del comunismo, su propia enfermedad y mucho más, pero siempre se mostró lleno de alegría.
El Salmo de hoy proclama: “La ayuda nos viene del Señor, que hizo el cielo y la tierra.” No importa cuántos hombres nos asaltan, no importa si las aguas del torrente nos llegan al cuello, el Señor no nos abandona. Nos rescata “como a un pájaro de la trampa de los cazadores”. Estoy segura de que Juan Pablo II era plenamente consciente de esta realidad, y probablemente la guardia de cruce también, y eso es lo que les trajo alegría. No es la ausencia de problemas, sino la seguridad de que Dios está con nosotros en medio de todos ellos. Aquel que es lo suficientemente poderoso para crear el Cielo y la Tierra es nuestra ayuda.
Con este conocimiento, seamos todos un faro de alegría para el mundo. Se nos ha ofrecido la salvación, una relación con Dios Todopoderoso y un amor infinito. Se nos ha confiado mucho, y mucho se nos exigirá (ver el Evangelio). Comencemos por hacer brillar la luz de Cristo a quienes nos rodean.
Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adulthood she was a missionary in Mexico, where she studied theology and philosophy. After returning stateside bilingual, she gained a variety of work experience, traveled extensively and finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Brescia University. She loves organizing and simplifying things, watching her children play sports, deep conversations with close family and friends and finding unique ways to brighten others’ day with Christ’s love. She works full time at Diocesan in the Software Department and manages the Inspiration Daily reflections. She is also a contributing writer on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net.
Feature Image Credit: MI PHAM, unsplash.com/photos/a-young-boy-running-through-a-sprinkle-of-water-FtZL0r4DZYk
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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