The Law of Inertia / La Ley de la Inercia

I really struggle with the law of inertia. You know, that rule of physics that states that an object in motion tends to stay in motion and an object at rest tends to stay at rest. Yup, that’s me. If I am working on a project at my house I just want to keep going and going and don’t want to stop. Yet, if I’m sitting at my desk at work, I really don’t want to get up. Just let me stay there and do my job and don’t ask me to do anything.

But the last few words of that law state, “unless acted upon by force.” Whether it be exhaustion from working all day causing me to sit down, or my boss asking me to get up and complete a task, some force motivates change.  

In our First Reading God sent his word through Jeremiah to enact change in the people of Judah: “Thus says the LORD: If you disobey me, not living according to the law I placed before you and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them, I will treat this house like Shiloh, and make this the city to which all the nations of the earth shall refer when cursing another.” Yet apparently they struggled with inertia even more than I do because instead of moving toward repentance they declared to Jeremiah, “You must be put to death!”

Our Gospel reading shows us an example of the exact opposite. The raising of Lazarus was one of the most amazing inertia-reversing moments in history. Through the force of our almighty God, a man was raised from the dead! 

Not many of us will face either of these two realities in our lifetime, yet we are consistently called upon to make changes to become more Christ-like. To change our attitudes, to change our words, to change our decision-making, to change our actions. Due to original sin, “inertia” makes it hard to focus our minds and hearts on God, but He is the “force” that can enact change in us. 

May we remember to call upon our amazing God every day, that He may grant us the grace to make changes in our lives for the better. Then perhaps that old law of physics won’t burden us so much anymore. 

Contact the author


Verdaderamente batallo con la ley de la inercia. Ya sabes, esa regla de la física que establece que un objeto en movimiento tiende a permanecer en movimiento y un objeto en reposo tiende a permanecer en reposo. Así soy yo. Si estoy trabajando en un proyecto en mi casa, solo quiero seguir y seguir y no quiero parar. Sin embargo, si estoy sentada en mi escritorio en el trabajo, realmente no quiero levantarme. Solo déjame quedarme allí a hacer mi trabajo y no me pidas que haga nada.

Pero las últimas palabras de esa ley establecen, “a menos que se actúe por la fuerza”. Ya sea que el cansancio de trabajar todo el día me obligue a sentarme o que mi jefe me pida que me levante y complete una tarea, alguna fuerza motiva el cambio.

En nuestra Primera Lectura, Dios envió su palabra a través de Jeremías para promulgar un cambio en el pueblo de Judá: “Así dice el Señor: Si me desobedecen y no viven conforme a la ley que puse delante de ustedes y no escuchan las palabras de mis siervos los profetas que les envío constantemente aunque no los obedecen, haré de esta casa como a Silo, y haré de ésta la ciudad a la cual se referirán todas las naciones de la tierra cuando maldigan a otra.” Sin embargo, aparentemente lucharon con la inercia incluso más que yo porque en lugar de moverse hacia el arrepentimiento le declararon a Jeremías: “¡Debes morir!”.

Nuestra lectura del Evangelio nos muestra un ejemplo de exactamente lo contrario. La resurrección de Lázaro fue uno de los mejores momentos de voltear a la inercia de toda la historia. ¡Por la fuerza de nuestro Dios todopoderoso, un hombre resucitó de entre los muertos!

Muchos de nosotros nunca vamos a enfrentar ninguna de estas dos realidades en nuestra vida, sin embargo, constantemente estamos llamados a hacer cambios para asemejarnos más a Cristo. Cambiar nuestras actitudes, cambiar nuestras palabras, cambiar nuestra toma de decisiones, cambiar nuestras acciones. Debido al pecado original, la “inercia” hace que sea difícil enfocar nuestras mentes y corazones en Dios, pero Él es la “fuerza” que puede realizar el cambio en nosotros.

Acordémonos a invocar a nuestro maravilloso Dios todos los días, para que Él nos conceda la gracia de hacer cambios en nuestras vidas para mejor, para que esa vieja ley de la física ya no nos agobie tanto.

Comunicarse con la autora

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 at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Simon Berger, unsplash.com/photos/Jp5Lv17Mq4M

What a Difference a Year Makes! / ¡Un Año Hace Tanta Diferencia!

I can’t even begin to explain how different this summer has been from last summer. On July 9th we celebrated one year of complete wellness for my young son, after suffering repeated infections from a burst appendix. 

This year, the kids have been outside for hours everyday and we have been enjoying rivers, lakes and pools. The weather has been sunny and mild, I have a new job that I love and my baby girl is almost a year old. What a difference a year makes!

Surely Abraham and Sarah could say the same in today’s Old Testament reading. They had surely spent their whole young lives suffering from infertility and praying for a child and then they finally conceived in their old age. I’m sure they were both overjoyed! 

In hindsight we are able to see the fruits of our sufferings but oh, how hard it is to be strong and bear them in the moment! How different my summer would have been last year if I would have been able to say along with St. Paul: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake”! 

As a child, I was taught to offer up my sufferings. Perhaps for the poor souls in Purgatory, or my neighbor who was ill, or a classmate whose parents were getting a divorce, or my dad who was struggling at his job, etc. Yet as an adult I have a much harder time with it. I like to be in control and have a hard time when things go south or don’t go the way I planned. I often choose to brood or complain rather than calming my heart in prayer and offering it up to our Lord. 

Mary teaches us this calm and the importance of prayer in today’s Gospel. She sits at the feet of Jesus to spend time with Him and listen to Him. I think if we spent more time like this, the difficult times in our lives would feel much less like a storm. These calm, prayerful moments would anchor us in faith, so that we wouldn’t feel like we are being washed away.

My prayer today is that we may remember to rejoice in our sufferings, learn to offer them up and find constant strength in our loving Lord. And perhaps next year we can all exclaim together, “What a difference a year makes!”

Contact the author


Ni siquiera puedo comenzar a explicar cuán diferente ha sido este verano del verano pasado. El 9 de julio celebramos un año del bienestar completo para mi hijito, después de sufrir infecciones repetidas  por un apéndice reventado.

Este año, mis hijos han estado afuera por varias horas todos los días y hemos nadado en ríos, lagos y piscinas. El clima ha sido soleado y templado, tengo un nuevo trabajo que me encanta y mi niña ya va a cumplir un año. ¡Un año hace tanta diferencia!

Seguramente Abraham y Sara podrían decir lo mismo en la lectura de hoy del Antiguo Testamento. Seguramente habían pasado toda su juventud sufriendo de infertilidad y suplicando a Dios tener hijos y finalmente concibieron en su vejez. ¡Estoy seguro de que ambos se pusieron tan felices!

En retrospectiva, podemos ver los frutos de nuestros sufrimientos, pero ¡qué difícil es ser fuerte y soportarlos en el momento! ¡Qué diferente hubiera sido mi verano el año pasado si hubiera podido decir junto con San Pablo: “Ahora me alegro de mis sufrimientos por Él”!

De niño, me enseñaron a ofrecer mis sufrimientos como sacrificio. Tal vez por las almas del Purgatorio, o mi vecino que estaba enfermo, o un compañero de clase cuyos padres se estaban divorciando, o mi padre que estaba batallando en su trabajo, etc. Sin embargo, como adulto, se me dificulta bastante. Me gusta mantener el control y me pongo mal cuando las cosas no van bien o no salen como las planeé. Con frecuencia elijo enojarme o quejarme en lugar de calmar mi corazón en la oración y ofrecérselo a nuestro Señor.

María nos enseña esta calma y la importancia de la oración en el Evangelio de hoy. Se sienta a los pies de Jesús para pasar tiempo con Él y escucharlo. Creo que si pasáramos más tiempo así, los momentos difíciles de nuestras vidas se sentirían mucho menos como una tormenta. Estos momentos de tranquilidad y oración nos anclarían en la fe, para que no sintiéramos que la lluvia y el viento nos arrastra.

Le pido a Dios que recordemos regocijarnos en nuestros sufrimientos, aprendamos a ofrecerlos a Dios y encontremos la fortaleza constante en nuestro amoroso Señor. Y tal vez el próximo año podamos exclamar todos juntos: “¡Un año hace tanta diferencia!”

Comunicarse con la autora

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 at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Fauzan Ardhi, unsplash.com/photos/rqclLm60c1k

Silence is a Treasure / El Silencio es Un Tesoro

As a young adult fresh out of missionary life, I used to listen frequently to Christian music. I found inspiration and fervor singing along to all the CD’s I had purchased after picking out my favorite tunes on the radio. Certain songs I listened to over and over again, due to their relevance in my life at the time. 

As the seasons of my life changed and I became a wife and mother to a brood of little ones, I realized how precious silence was and stepped away from listening to music. I never turn on the radio anymore and never pop in CD’s. I don’t have a Pandora app on my phone and don’t go to concerts. Any moment of silence is now a treasure.

But I recently started a new job and my coworker enjoys playing Christian music in the background while we work and I realized once again how enriching music can be. For the past few days I have been singing to myself: “All I know is I’m not home yet, this is not where I belong. Take this world and give me Jesus. This is not where I belong…” (song by Building 429) It reminds me over and over again that the only truly important thing in my life is my Lord and my God. 

Today’s readings are full of many such reminders: Moses reminded the people in today’s First Reading: “If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul.” The Psalm Response proclaims: “Turn to the Lord in your need and you will live.” The Second Reading states: “Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church.” And finally, the Gospel reminds us “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

All of these words from Sacred Scripture point toward one thing. God is God and I am not. He has everything in the palm of His hand. He’s got this. No matter how messy life gets (or how noisy), He’s got this. 

I pray that each of you may find a few moments of silence to cherish today, and may they be spent in His presence. Who knows, maybe you will even find yourself singing “Take this world and give me Jesus. This is not where I belong…” 

Contact the author

__________________________________________________________________

Como adulta joven que recién había salido de la vida misionera, solía escuchar música cristiana con frecuencia. Encontraba inspiración y fervor cantando todos los CDs que había comprado después de elegir mis canciones favoritas en la radio. Ciertas canciones las escuchaba una y otra vez, por su relevancia en mi vida en aquel momento.

A medida que esta época de mi vida se iba cambiando y me convertí en esposa y madre de varios pequeños, me di cuenta de lo precioso que era el silencio y dejé de escuchar música. Ya nunca enciendo la radio y nunca pongo CDs. No tengo una app de Pandora en mi teléfono y no voy a conciertos. Ahora considero cualquier momento de silencio un tesoro.

Pero recientemente comencé un nuevo trabajo y mi compañera de trabajo disfruta escuchar música cristiana mientras trabajamos y me di cuenta una vez más de lo enriquecedora que puede ser la música. Durante los últimos días me he estado cantando a mí mismo: “Todo lo que sé es que todavía no estoy en casa, no pertenezco en este lugar. Toma este mundo y dame a Jesús. No pertenezco en este lugar…” (canción por Building 429) Me recuerda una y otra vez que lo único que es verdaderamente importante en mi vida es mi Señor y mi Dios.

Las lecturas de hoy están llenas de muchos recordatorios de este tipo: Moisés le recordó al pueblo en la Primera Lectura de hoy: “Si tan solo escucharan la voz de Jehová su Dios, y guardaran sus mandamientos y estatutos que están escritos en este libro de la ley, cuando vuelven al SEÑOR, tu Dios, con todo tu corazón y con toda tu alma”. El Salmo Responsorial proclama: “Vuelva al Señor en tu necesidad y vivirás”. La Segunda Lectura dice: “Cristo Jesús es la imagen del Dios invisible, el primogénito de toda la creación, porque en él fueron creadas todas las cosas en el cielo y en la tierra, lo visible y lo invisible, sean tronos o dominios o principados o potestades; todas las cosas fueron creadas por medio de Él y para Él. Él es antes de todas las cosas, y todas las cosas subsisten en Él. Él es la cabeza del cuerpo que es la iglesia”. Y finalmente, el Evangelio nos recuerda: “Amarás al Señor, tu Dios, con todo tu corazón, con todo tu ser, con todas tus fuerzas y con toda tu mente, y a tu prójimo como a ti mismo”.

Todas estas palabras de la Sagrada Escritura señalan una sola cosa. Dios es Dios y yo no. Él tiene todo en la palma de Su mano. Él lo tiene. No importa cuán desordenada se ponga la vida (o cuán ruidosa), Él lo tiene.

Espero que cada uno de ustedes pueda encontrar unos momentos de silencio para atesorar hoy, y que los pase en Su presencia. Quién sabe, tal vez incluso te encuentres cantando “Toma este mundo y dame a Jesús. No pertenezco en este lugar…”

Comunicarse con el autor

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 at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Amy Tran, unsplash.com/photos/nHRjqkRIuTE

Bearing Good Fruit

As soon as I walk in the door from any given workday, I am ambushed by a barrage of “Mommy!!!” “Hi Mommy!” and “Yeah! Mommy’s home!!” My usually subdued workplace atmosphere gives way to the chaos of several littles as I try to get dinner on the table while listening to their stories and their complaints. 

Sometimes these moments are overwhelming. Sometimes my reactions are not loving. Sometimes I wish I had some earplugs. Sometimes, I remind myself to take a step back and take it all in while it lasts. 

I often feel like I’m in the midst of a whirlwind. One day blows into the other at a rapid pace. The years go by in the blink of an eye. Am I behaving as I should as a Catholic Christian?

Today’s Psalm implores: “Teach me the ways of your decrees”. I do want to live in the ways of the Lord and I want to teach my children to live that way too. Everything I do matters. Every comment I make, every tone of voice I emit, will affect them in one way or another. Teach me your ways, Oh Lord, teach me your ways. 

The Gospel tells us: “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.” I long to be that good tree that bears fruits of goodness in my children. There are days that I hear sarcasm come out of their mouths and I say to myself, “I taught them that.” And there are other days that I hear them say, “I shared with my brother today” and I taught them that too. 

The daily struggle between good and evil is real, but if we remember to ask the Lord to teach us His ways, He can make that good fruit grow within us. 

May our children, and all those we meet, encounter Christ through our good fruits.

Contact the author

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 at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Jamie Street, unsplash.com/photos/tb5A-QTI6xg

God Always Provides

I know I am not the only one feeling the squeeze. With gas over $5.00 a gallon and groceries 20-30% higher than they were just a few months ago, the financial stress is real. Yes, we are doing what we can to cut back. Yes, we are trying to spend as little as possible. And yes, I do my fair share of complaining about it. 

Over the weekend, I said a few things I shouldn’t have and felt bad about it. Among them, was complaining about the aforementioned issue. My husband said to me, “It’s not like you’re the only one paying that much for gas or the only one paying that much for food. I don’t know why you’re complaining about it. Everyone is struggling with it.” 

It was a simple statement, but one I needed to hear. We are all in this together, folks, whether we like it or not, and all we can do is do our best to continue providing for our families. 

Today’s Gospel was exactly what I needed to hear and I hope it is balm to your soul as well. 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,

what you will eat or drink,

or about your body, what you will wear.

Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds in the sky;

they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns,

yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are not you more important than they?

Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?

Why are you anxious about clothes?

Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.

They do not work or spin.

But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor

was clothed like one of them.

If God so clothes the grass of the field,

which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow,

will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’

or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’

All these things the pagans seek.

Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given you besides.

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.

Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” (Matthew 6)

God has always taken care of us, my friends, and He will continue to do so. Let us hold on to hope and ask Him for a greater trust that His grace will provide all that we need.  

Contact the author

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 at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Alexander Schimmeck, unsplash.com/photos/6bykmLxy-3Y

When Stubbornness is Transformed

I have to admit that I’m a pretty stubborn gal. I tend to get thoughts, ideas or desires stuck in my head and don’t give up until they’re resolved or obtained. I have a knack with words and can be pretty convincing most of the time. One of the reasons I know this is because of my offspring. Every one of them takes after me and every one of them is stubborn. 

Of course this strength of character has its benefits when trying to pull through tough times, when completing tasks that are particularly difficult or when something unpleasant just has to get done. But more often than not, our stubbornness only causes us unnecessary sadness when we don’t get what we want. 

The children of Israel were one stubborn bunch in today’s First Reading. They had strayed and begun following false gods. Their hearts were hardened. They even resorted to cutting themselves to get Baal to make his presence known. Of course it was all to no avail, because there is no other god than the One, true God.

He made himself known through a raging fire, despite the fact that the altar was doused with water three times. He came down to show his people that he was real, alive and present. He came in flames to show them that he could once again set their hearts aflame if only they would open them up to Him. 

I find that I’m happier when I let go of my stubbornness, when I let another person make a decision once in a while or when I tell them they had a good idea. When my heart and mind is open to truly listening to my family, friends and coworkers instead of always thinking about the next thing to say to appear that I always know what I’m talking about or am always right, I feel free. 

I imagine the Israelites felt the same sense of relief. God surely sent them a burst of joy once they declared their dedication to Him, their faith in Him. Surely they felt remorse for their stubbornness and sought to seek God and His will above their own. 

Lord, help me to let go of any unhealthy attachments, any lesser gods that have snuck into my heart. Turn my stubbornness into openness and generosity. May my life give witness to you, your joy and your love. Amen. 

Contact the author

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 at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen, unsplash.com/photos/cSsvUtTVr0Q

Remaining in Him

Do you ever feel like there is a general state of discontent in your household? One kid is  complaining about every little thing, the other doesn’t want to do his school work, the other has decided that copying every word that comes out of our mouths is funny, and they are all begging for new toys and video games that are not in our budget. 

I have tried getting them outside to get some Vitamin D and a change of attitude and they complain about that too. “I used to spend all day outside when I was kid!” I tell them, to no avail. I wonder why I was so excited to move to a house with a big fenced-in backyard when they don’t even want to step foot outside the door. 

At moments like these I recall something my brother mentioned telling his kids when they got whiny: “You don’t suffer enough.” And perhaps it’s true. Perhaps they can do without the individualized meals, the 50 stuffed animals, the weekly ice cream cone and the abundant hours of screen time. They are used to getting what they want and could use yet another lesson about sacrifice. 

In today’s Gospel Jesus states: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.” Our Father prunes and refines us, just as we seek to prune and refine our children by teaching and directing them. Because in the end, we all could use a little pruning and we all could stand to sacrifice just a tad more. 

There is so much beauty in this process. When we allow ourselves to be pruned and adhere to the true vine, we will bear much fruit. “Remain in me, as I remain in you… If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.” 

What an incredible promise! That is enough to turn any frown upside down! Remaining in Christ is not easy. It requires a continual focus and a periodic pruning, but when we do, Christ promises to be with us and respond to our every request!

Maybe I am not so different from my kids after all. Maybe I want certain things just as much as they do and get grumpy when I don’t get them. Maybe I don’t suffer enough either. Join me in remaining in Christ today so that we may bear much fruit and watch His many blessings unfold. 

Contact the author

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 at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Sven Wilhelm, https://unsplash.com/photos/2cRXSWyMHA8

Being a Light to Others

Do you ever feel like you are in a time of plenty, but simultaneously in a time of drought? We are in the midst of the Easter season, flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, the school year is coming to a close, and yet we are dragging…

My family has been struggling through yet another period of illness. Fevers, incessant coughs, ear infections, pink eye, snotty noses, you name it. We just keep passing germs from one to the other to the other. I just started a new job and have already had to go to the doctor four times. We have missed out on receiving our Lord three weeks in a row because we are hacking up a lung (slight exaggeration).

Yet we are Easter people, and Alleluia is our song. We rejoice through the trials because there is always something positive to rejoice over. There are always milestones to celebrate. The baby is getting her first teeth and standing up. The boys are doing well in soccer and scoring goals. My husband is gaining recognition in his video show. 

But above all I am rejoicing because the people and the mission of my new workplace are bringing me closer to God. We pray together each morning, lift up our individual intentions and praise God for His blessings. Then we each go about our day trying to bring Christ to each person we encounter. It is truly beautiful. 

Each day we can imitate the first disciples, like Paul and Barnabas in today’s First Reading who spoke out boldly: “ For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.” What a great reminder to us of what we are called to do each and every day! To be Christ’s hands and feet on this earth until He comes again in His glory.

Just as Jesus states: “The Father and I are one” in today’s Gospel, may we also be one with God so as to live with true Easter joy and then share that love and joy with others. 

I leave you with today’s Psalm, that you may rejoice evermore in Him: “Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful song. Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. The LORD is good: his kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations.”

Alleluia!

Contact the author

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 at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Tom Podmore, https://unsplash.com/photos/cp-GfZhCXI8

God is Good, All the Time!

I’m sure your mother told you many times as you were growing up: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” I have even found myself reminding my own children the very same thing. Yet as an adult I find myself struggling over and over again with keeping my mouth shut. 

I admit it, I am such a groaner! I wish my kids would behave such and such a way, I wish so and so would stop this or that, why does that person have to do that? etc. etc. 

I remember one year I gave up complaining for Lent and let me tell you, I spent a lot of time in silence! 

And although I consider myself a generally happy person, I can always find something wrong with something. 

One thing that I have found that really helps combat this bad habit is an attitude of gratitude. I find that if I am appreciative of people, their thoughts, words and actions, and of things as gifts from God, I have much less to complain about.

In today’s Gospel we hear about the Jews who had seen what Jesus had done and began to believe in Him. We are told that a few of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. They saw his wondrous deeds and heard his insightful teachings and yet they went to complain about him! How sad…

Because of this one act of gossip, Jesus could no longer go about in public and he realized his time was drawing nigh. Surely a great sadness overtook him. 

 What a call to us all to be appreciative of our Lord and all his works in our life, no matter how great or small. His works show us that he is God and show us how much he loves us. 

Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to spend a whole lot more time in silence when I have nothing nice to say, and a whole lot more time talking about how good you are. 

Contact the author

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 at her parish, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: marthaartess, https://www.cathopic.com/photo/2524-conozco-mis-ovejas

True and Lasting Peace

As you read, my family and I are on a much needed vacation. After dealing with illness, childbirth, and stress at work over the past year we were so ready to get out of dodge. 

It’s amazing what a change of atmosphere can do for the soul. All the normal worries of the daily grind seem to disappear. You can breathe easy for a while, enjoy the scenery, eat some tasty treats and simply BE. No dishes or clothes to wash, no floors to sweep, no toys to trip over. 

Yet no matter how much we may look forward to these fun days of R & R, they never seem to last, do they? We always have to go back home, back to work and back to our routine. The vacation in itself can grant us only a momentary, temporary peace of mind. Why?

Because true peace comes only from God and the gifts that the Holy Spirit grants us. If we are not living in him, but rather for the next passing pleasure, our peace will always be fleeting. 

Recently I had a conversation with my 7-year-old, who frequently begs me over and over to buy this or that toy or stuffed animal or video game. He seems to always want something, and if I get it for him, he soon wants something else. I had to have a serious talk with him about consumerism and the fact that Jesus is the only source of true peace and happiness. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Pharisees: “I am going away and you will look for me…” If only we truly sought out Jesus, who is about to suffer and die for us, more than things! If only we were truly saddened by the thought of Jesus “going away” even for a split second of our lives! 

Lord, help me to understand the incredible significance of your presence in my life. Help me to miss you when my thoughts are not with you. Help me to yearn only for you, not for pleasures that do not satisfy the soul. Help me to seek lasting peace in your most Sacred Heart. Amen.

Contact the author

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 at her parish, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Colton Duke, https://unsplash.com/photos/QRU0i5AqEJA

Belonging to God

I have really been struggling with one person in particular lately. Some of the struggles have come about due to emails. Why does so and so have to be so direct, sarcastic, rude, etc.?

When speaking to a friend recently I found myself apologizing for an email that could have come across the very same way! She gave me a piece of advice that I found very helpful. She said that whenever she opens up an email to read it, she tries to think happy. So often the way we read a message depends on our mood at that moment, so if we try to read others’ messages with an upbeat spirit, it may help us to avoid many misunderstandings.

Ultimately, if I assume someone is writing a certain way without proof, I am judging them. Was I there when they were typing? No. Did I hear them speak the words out loud? No. Do I know what frame of mind they were in when they wrote the message? No. Since that is the case, I should always give them the benefit of the doubt and not assume the worst.

In today’s First Reading, Moses encourages the people to observe the statutes and decrees of God with all of our heart and soul. “And today the LORD is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments, he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God.”

What an incredible promise! To be God’s special people, to belong to Him as His own, to be raised up high as a people sacred to the Lord… But what is the caveat? That we follow His commands. If I judge people’s intentions, I am not following His commands. Boy, do I want to partake in that promise, so from now on I pledge to think happy thoughts!

Jesus takes it one step further in the Gospel saying: “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” Now the person I am referring to is far from my enemy, but I have to be careful. If I pile one offense upon another, they could easily become like one in my heart.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us continue to examine our hearts and purify our minds so that we too may rejoice in the words of the Psalmist: “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!”

Contact the author

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 at her parish, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: Jackson David, https://unsplash.com/photos/cIcBInoyb7U

When Life Gives You Lemons

We have all heard the phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” But what if life just keeps throwing you lemon after lemon after lemon, so that everything seems to turn sour? After getting through my young son’s illness, giving birth to our 5th child and recovering from the C-section, it seemed like life was finally getting “back to normal”, when we got hit with the dreaded virus. 

I fell ill right after saying goodbye to my grandmother and I couldn’t even go to her funeral. One by one, the kids all got sick and then finally my husband. While the kids and I all recovered within a few days, he did not fare so well. We ended up in the ER and he was diagnosed with pneumonia. 

So here I sit, taking care of five littles and a sick husband, while simultaneously homeschooling, breastfeeding and working from home. As a stay at home dad, he normally takes care of all the cooking, cleaning, dishes and laundry so we’ll just throw that in too as the icing on the cake. 

Yes, I feel a bit overwhelmed and stretched thin, yet as I did before when my son was sick, I call on my Lord and Savior to BE my strength. Not to give me strength, but to BE my strength. And I am not overcome. The kids pitch in to help out a little more, the baby sits in her high chair a little longer and somehow, life just keeps moving on. 

Now that we have entered into this beautiful season of Lent, I don’t even have to look around for sacrifices and penance. Jesus lovingly gives it to me of His own accord! All I have to do is accept it, embrace it and offer it up for others. 

Today’s First Reading reminds me to “Cry out full-throated and unsparingly, lift up [my] voice like a trumpet blast…seek [God] day after day and desire to know [His] ways.” It reminds me to abandon my cares to Him, forget myself and my woes and think rather of others. The oppressed, the hungry, the homeless, the naked, all those who have it much worse than I do.

I recall talking to a fellow parishioner. She has four boys, lives in a broken down trailer and her husband was deported. Yet she does not complain, but rather gives thanks to God that she has a roof over her head, (barely) enough to pay her bills and she and her children are healthy. She even goes so far as to say that others are worse off than she is. She embodies today’s Psalm “A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn”. 

So as we navigate through this first week of Lent, let us recognize our own lemons, i.e. crosses, offer them up to the Lord, and seek to alleviate the crosses of others. “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” 

Contact the author

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 at her parish, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

Feature Image Credit: ERnest Porzi, https://unsplash.com/photos/Z-Y6I45f9kQ