In just a few days, my husband and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. And while this may not be considered a milestone by many, so much has happened in these short but long years. We have survived many storms: familial feuds, monetary muddles, infectious illnesses, chronic conditions, and the daily difficulties of raising five lively littles. I could compare it to the ebb and flow of an ocean tide. So many ups and downs, so many certainties and uncertainties, so much joy and pain.
Yet this year has seemed like the best one yet in so many ways. While the marriages of several family members struggle and deteriorate, ours remains strong. While the world shines forth hatred and misunderstanding, our love and communication continue to grow. While others strive for material riches, we strive for poverty of spirit found in a quest for holiness. Constant pain is lifted up to the Lord as an offering and patience is refined through countless opportunities to practice it.
We seek to provide a home where perfection is not required, flexibility is welcomed, and laughter and snuggles abound. And while we often fall short of this goal, our daily prayer and Tuesday evening Mass dates ground us over and over again. God has blessed us so abundantly through the sacrament of matrimony that all that is left is for us to be thankful. For as Fr. Mike Schmitz says, if you have gratitude, you have everything. Gratitude is all you need.
Although the world often tempts us to lean towards a more glamorous marriage of fancy cars, a spotless home and elaborate vacations, we seek to follow the voice of our Good Shepherd, who “calls his own sheep by name and leads them… he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.” We know He calls us by name with overwhelming love. We know He leads us along the path to eternal life with gentle care. We know His voice speaks truth and goodness with justice and mercy. And we believe when He says to us, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (see today’s Gospel)
What is God speaking to your heart today? Do you recognize His voice? Will you follow Him wherever he leads you? May the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom we honor in a special way this month, lead you into a deeper relationship with her Son. May her motherly prodding encourage you to break down any barriers that are preventing you from allowing Him to walk ahead of you. May whatever you experience this day, whether it be an illness, an anniversary, or just another Monday, be filled with gratitude for being able to live one more day as His beloved sheep.
En tan solo unos días, mi esposo y yo vamos a celebrar nuestro 13° aniversario de bodas. Y aunque muchos no lo consideren un hito importante, han sucedido muchas cosas en estos cortos pero largos años. Hemos aguantado muchos aguaceros: pleitos personales, dilemas de dineros, dolencias difíciles, condiciones crónicas y las dificultades diarias de criar a cinco enanos energéticos. Podría compararlo con el flujo y reflujo de una marea oceánica: tantos altibajos, tantas certezas e incertidumbres, tanta alegría y dolor.
Sin embargo, este año ha parecido el mejor de todos en muchos sentidos. Mientras varios miembros de la familia batallan en sus matrimonios y se deterioran, el nuestro sigue sólido. Mientras el mundo irradia odio y malentendidos, nuestro amor y comunicación siguen creciendo. Mientras otros luchan por las riquezas materiales, nosotros luchamos por la pobreza de espíritu que se encuentra en la búsqueda de la santidad. Nuestro dolor constante se eleva al Señor como una ofrenda y nuestra paciencia se refina a través de innumerables oportunidades de practicarla.
Buscamos ofrecer un hogar donde no se requiera perfección, la flexibilidad es bienvenida y abundan las risas y los abrazos. Y aunque con frecuencia no alcanzamos esta meta, nuestra oración diaria y yendo a misa juntos los martes por la noche nos vuelvan a fundamentar una y otra vez. Dios nos ha bendecido tan abundantemente a través del sacramento del matrimonio que lo único que nos queda es estar agradecidos. Porque como dice el Padre Mike Schmitz, si tienes gratitud, lo tienes todo. La gratitud es todo lo que necesitas.
Aunque el mundo nos tienta a tendernos hacia un matrimonio más glamoroso de vehículos lujosos, una casa impecable y vacaciones elaboradas, buscamos seguir la voz de nuestro Buen Pastor, que “llama a cada una por su nombre y las conduce… camina delante de ellas, y ellas lo siguen, porque conocen su voz”. Sabemos que Él nos llama por nuestro nombre con un amor abrumador. Sabemos que nos guía por el camino de la vida eterna con gentil cuidado. Sabemos que Su voz habla verdad y bondad con justicia y misericordia. Y lo creemos cuando nos dice: “Yo he venido para que tengan vida y la tengan en abundancia” (ver el Evangelio de hoy).
¿Qué le está diciendo Dios a tu corazón hoy? ¿Reconoces su voz? ¿Lo seguirás adonde sea que te lleve? Que la Santísima Virgen María, a quien honramos de manera especial este mes, te conduzca a una relación más profunda con su Hijo. Que su estímulo maternal te anime a derribar cualquier barrera que te impida permitirle caminar delante de ti. Que cualquier cosa que experimentes en este día, ya sea una enfermedad, un aniversario o simplemente un lunes más, esté lleno de gratitud por poder vivir un día más como su oveja amada.
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: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦, unsplash.com/photos/man-and-woman-holding-hand-together-while-stepping-on-rocks-near-sea-s7pxXFY9Pwk
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