My husband and I often battle with “trying to make everybody happy”. If we decide to go to the museum, someone inevitably wants to go to the trampoline park. If we decide to watch a Christmas movie, someone prefers a superhero movie. If we order a pizza, someone whines because they wanted KFC. Perhaps it comes with the territory of having a big family, but every once in a while it would be nice if everyone was simply content with what they have.
It seems like we talk until we’re blue in the face about how other kids throughout the world don’t even have toys to play with, enough food to eat and perhaps even a roof over their heads. We talk about being grateful, thinking about others before ourselves and not complaining. Yet, it seems like someone is always upset about something.
I’m sure Paul understood this sentiment very well. Our First Reading states that while he was preaching in Athens: “When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, ‘We should like to hear you on this some other time.’ And so Paul left them.
But some did join him, and became believers.” Some thought he was babbling ridiculous fallacies and others were enlightened by the truth. Some walked about shaking their heads and others left behind their former beliefs and joined him.
One way or the other, we eventually realize that you can’t make everyone happy. Each one of us has a world of experiences, differences and thoughts running through our heads at any given time. Their reality causes them to act and react in certain ways that a another person wouldn’t. One is not necessarily wrong and the other right, but they definitely are different. And guess what, God made us that way!
But one reality holds true in all of us. Jesus knows each of us and loves each of us exactly the way we are. He invites us to grow and change, yes, but he knows us and loves us deeply just as we are. In the Gospel Jesus states. “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.”
May we allow ourselves to be deeply known and loved by our amazing God so that we may soon be able to bear what he wants to tell us. May we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to all truth and may that truth help us to be content with what we have, whether it be pizza or fried chicken.
Mi esposo y yo a menudo batallamos con “tratar de hacer felices a todos”. Si decidimos ir al museo, inevitablemente alguien querrá ir al parque de trampolines. Si decidimos ver una película navideña, alguien prefiere una película de superhéroes. Si pedimos una pizza, alguien se queja porque quería KFC. Quizás es algo normal cuando tienes una gran familia, pero de vez en cuando sería bueno si todos estuvieran simplemente contentos con lo que tienen.
Parece que hablamos hasta que nos falta el aliento sobre cómo otros niños en todo el mundo ni siquiera tienen juguetes, ni suficiente comida para comer y tal vez incluso ni tienen casa donde vivir. Hablamos de ser agradecidos, pensar en los demás antes de nosotros mismos y no quejarnos. Sin embargo, parece que alguien siempre está molesto por algo.
Estoy seguro de que San Pablo entendió muy bien este sentimiento. Nuestra Primera Lectura dice que mientras predicaba en Atenas: “Al oír hablar de la resurrección de los muertos, algunos se burlaron y otros dijeron: ‘De esto te oiremos hablar en otra ocasión’. Entonces Pablo se retiró. Sin embargo, algunos se adhirieron a él y creyeron.” Algunos pensaron que balbuceaba falacias ridículas y otros se iluminaron con la verdad. Algunos se marcharon moviendo la cabeza y otros dejaron atrás sus antiguas creencias y se unieron a él.
De una forma u otra, eventualmente nos damos cuenta de que no podemos hacer felices a todos. Cada uno de nosotros tiene un mundo de experiencias, diferencias y pensamientos rondando por nuestra cabeza en cualquier momento. Esa realidad hace que un individuo actúe y reaccione de cierta manera que otra persona no lo haría. Uno no es necesariamente incorrecto y el otro correcto, pero definitivamente son diferentes. Y adivina qué, ¡Dios nos hizo así!
Pero una realidad es cierta en todos nosotros. Jesús nos conoce a cada uno de nosotros y nos ama exactamente como somos. Nos invita a crecer y cambiar, sí, pero nos conoce y nos ama profundamente tal como somos. En el Evangelio Jesús afirma. “Tengo muchas cosas que decirles, pero todavía no las pueden comprender. Pero cuando venga el Espíritu de la verdad, él los irá guiando hasta la verdad plena.”
Que nos dejemos conocer y amar profundamente por nuestro Dios admirable para que pronto podamos comprender lo que nos quiere decir. Permitamos que el Espíritu Santo nos guíe a la verdad plena y que esa verdad nos ayude a estar contentos con lo que tenemos, ya que sea pizza o pollo frito.
Feature Image Credit: Marcos Paulo Prado, unsplash.com/photos/BWoRIaXy-Mw
Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works full time, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.
Susan Ciancio has a BA in psychology and a BA in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, with an MA in liberal studies from Indiana University. For the past 19 years, she has worked as a professional editor and writer, editing both fiction and nonfiction books, magazine articles, blogs, educational lessons, professional materials and website content. Thirteen of those years have been in the pro-life sector. Currently Susan freelances and writes weekly for HLI, edits for American Life League, and is the executive editor of Celebrate Life Magazine. She also serves as executive editor for the Culture of Life Studies Program—an educational nonprofit program for K-12 students. You can reach her at 
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.
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and seven 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 
J.M. Pallas has had a lifelong love of Scriptures. When she is not busy with her vocation as a wife and mother to her “1 Samuel 1” son, or her vocation as a public health educator, you may find her at her parish women’s bible study, affectionately known as “The Bible Chicks.”
Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mother. She is blessed to be able to homeschool, bake bread and fold endless piles of laundry. When not planning a school day, writing a blog post or cooking pasta, Kate can be found curled up with a book or working with some kind of fiber craft. Kate blogs at 
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