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Life moves so fast in today’s world that we often overlook what is going on around us. This is especially true now that our cell phones are like portable computers; our phones are our number one priority. The first thing we look at when we wake up is our phone, even when we’re on vacation.
Today’s Gospel tells us, Jesus “took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him.” Jesus healed a sick man on the Sabbath, the day of rest for the Jewish people. Sometimes, we might fall into the trap of thinking that we’re only allowed to think about God on Sundays—the day we go to Mass—or only when a family member, a friend, or we ourselves are going through a difficult time. In those moments, we finally put the phone aside and place our hope in God, trusting Him to pull us through the crisis.
Sometimes, when we’re on vacation, we don’t want to go to Mass. I’ve heard people say, “God knows that we’re on vacation.” But I ask you this: Does God ever take a vacation from us? Of course not. Even though the Sabbath is a day of rest for the Jewish people, God is always ready to listen to us—every day and at any hour. He is not only there during hard times but also during good times, for which we should always have the humility to thank Him.
Let us not take a vacation from God, and let no temptation lead us off the path of following Him. We can start by thanking God before every meal; and if the first thing you do when you wake up is grab your phone, let it be to read the day’s reflections. Let us also pray for our priests, our bishop, the Pope, and those called to religious life, so that together we may continue to grow in faith.
En este mundo actual se vive tan acelerado que nos olvidamos de lo que pasa a nuestro alrededor. Aún más ahora que el teléfono celular es como una computadora portátil, hacemos que toda prioridad tenga el teléfono. Cuando uno se levanta de la cama, lo primero que uno ve es el teléfono, hasta en las vacaciones.
El evangelio de hoy dice, “Entonces Jesús tocó con la mano al enfermo, lo curó y le dijo que se fuera”. Jesús cura a un enfermo el día sábado, lo cual es día de descanso para los judios. A veces pienso que podríamos llegar a creer que solo los domingos está permitido pensar en Dios porque es el día de ir a misa. O solo cuando un familiar o amigo o nosotros mismos estamos pasando momentos duros. Ahí sí nos olvidamos del teléfono y la esperanza está puesta en Dios para que nos saque de este mal momento.
A veces estamos pasándola bien en nuestras vacaciones y no queremos ir a misa. He escuchado que dicen “Dios sabe que estamos de vacaciones”. Te pregunto, ¿Dios toma vacaciones de nosotros? Por supuesto que no. Porque a pesar que el día sábado para los judios es el sabat, Dios siempre está dispuesto a escucharnos, todos los días y a toda hora. No sólo en los momentos difíciles sino también en los momentos buenos, lo cual debemos tener la humildad de agradecerle siempre.
No tomemos vacaciones de Dios, y que ninguna tentación nos saque del camino para seguirlo. Al menos empezar agradeciendo a Dios antes de cada comida y si lo primero que vas hacer al abrir los ojos es agarrar el teléfono, que sea para leer las reflexiones del día. Además rezar por nuestros sacerdotes, obispo, el Papa, y la gente que tiene vocación de vida religiosa, para que junto con ellos podamos seguir creciendo en la fe.
Felix Urcia was born in Lima, Peru. He moved to 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 his wife live in a small town in Western Michigan where they enjoy spending time with their five children.
Feature Image Credit: Upgraded Points, unsplash.com/photos/brown-wooden-bench-on-beach-during-daytime-KVym2PAn1gA
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