We often feel overwhelmed by the problems that suddenly arise in our lives. The plans we once set out for ourselves never materialize, and we often become stubborn in trying to follow our own plan.
That happened to me when I graduated from college at the end of 2007. I had plans to get a really good job at a company here in the United States, daydreaming about it all the time. I had several interviews, which came down to the wire, but ended quickly when I answered one simple question: “Are you a permanent resident or a citizen?” Even though I had a work permit, they didn’t get the job because they didn’t want to deal with the paperwork.
Those were tough times, and I didn’t give up. My stubbornness caused a lot of stress and prevented me from realizing that there were other ways for personal development. God has a plan for us, even if it’s hard for us to accept. That path often leads to the opposite of what we had hoped for – I had to clean offices and bathrooms for a long time until I found a job in my field.
In today’s Gospel, we see a man preparing a great banquet, but none of the guests wanted to come. They all had their excuses and other plans. What awaited them was delicious food, a beautiful venue, and pleasant company, but they rejected it. How many times are we like those people? The banquet of God’s plans awaits us, and we reject it by following the rice and beans of our own plans.
The positive side of my personal experience was that I was able to pay off the credit cards I had used during my time in college. After a few years, I also saw the fruit of this because by the time I got married, I had very little debt. The lesson here is to be open to change – God’s ways are amazing.
Let us not stray from God or be sad when things seem to be going wrong. As the first reading says, “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” Surrender your plans to God in prayer and tell Him “Thy will be done.”
Muchas veces nos sentimos abrumados por los problemas que llegan de un momento a otro en nuestras vidas. Los planes que nos propusimos en algún momento, no se llegan a concretar, y muchas veces nos ponemos tercos al intentar seguir nuestro propio plan.
Me pasó cuando me gradué de la universidad a finales del 2007, donde había hecho planes de conseguir un mejor trabajo en alguna empresa aquí en Estados Unidos y soñaba despierto en cada momento con mis planes. Tuve varias entrevistas lo cual llegaba hasta la última instancia para que al final con una simple pregunta me terminaba negando la posición,” ¿Eres residente permanente o ciudadano?” Aunque tenía permiso de trabajo no querían lidiar con el papeleo.
Fueron momentos duros y no me daba por vencido. Mi terquedad hizo que me pusiera muy estresado y no me di cuenta que había otros caminos para desarrollarme cómo persona. Dios tiene un plan para nosotros aunque nos cuesta aceptarlo. Ese camino muchas veces va a lo opuesto a lo que queremos – me tocó limpiar oficinas y baños por un largo tiempo hasta poder conseguir un trabajo en mi carrera.
En el Evangelio de hoy vemos que un hombre preparó un gran banquete pero ninguno de los invitados querían venir. Todos tenían sus excusas y otros planes. Lo que les esperaba era comida deliciosa, un ambiente hermoso y la compañía de personas agradables, pero lo rechazaron. ¿Cuántas veces nosotros somos iguales a esas personas? Nos espera todo un banquete de los planes de Dios y lo rechazamos por seguir el arroz y frijol de nuestros propios planes.
El lado positivo de mi experiencia fue que pude pagar mis tarjetas de crédito que había utilizado en mi estancia en la universidad. Después de algunos años también se vio el fruto de este esfuerzo porque al momento de casarme ya no tenía casi nada de deuda. La lección que se da aquí es, hay que estar abiertos al cambio – los caminos de Dios son maravillosos.
No nos desviemos de Dios ni nos pongamos tristes cuando las cosas parecen ir mal. Como dice la primera lectura, “Que la esperanza los mantenga alegres; sean constantes en la tribulación y perseverantes en la oración”. Entregale tu plan a Dios en la oración y dile que se haga su voluntad.
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: Jon Tyson, unsplash.com/photos/man-in-black-jacket-lying-on-floor-CYswOLYDUXY
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Lily is a Michigan native and cradle Catholic who has spent most of her life exploring her own reasons to embrace her faith fully. She attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she discovered the beauty of her personal relationship with Christ and the Church. After college, she worked in Montessori Education for three years and recently transitioned to nannying. She was recently married and spends most of her time reading, and enjoying her dog and family!
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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 
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Pamela Kavanaugh is a grateful wife, mother, and grandmother who has dedicated her professional life to Catholic education. Though she has done her very best to teach her students well in the subjects of language and religion, she knows that she has learned more than she has taught. She lives, teaches, and writes in southwest suburban Chicago.
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