Life is not worth living unless it is lived for others

"Quien no vive para servir, no sirve para vivir." Madre Teresa de Calcuta

Pope Francis finished his homily in his first mass in Cuba using this phrase which has since been attributed to Mother Teresa. I was glued to the television set since 8 o'clock in the morning. I started watching in English but then I switched to one of the Spanish speaking channels. I wanted to listen to the mass in the Pope's native language which is also mine. I wanted to make sure that nothing would get lost in the translation.

This morning, I searched for the translated text of his homily because I wanted to see how the above phrase that sounds so beautiful and rhymes so well in Spanish had been translated to English. The translated phrase is: “Whoever does not live to serve, does not ‘serve’ to live”. Definitely, something got lost in this literal translation. 

I did some research to confirm that this phrase had truly been said originally by Mother Teresa and this is what I found:

"In 1990, after over 40 years of almost constant activity, Mother Teresa began to have trouble with her heart. After she had a heart attack in 1989, a pacemaker was inserted. She offered to resign as head of the Missionaries, but no replacement was available. She agreed to remain on the job. Regardless of the fact she was still recovering from a serious illness the previous year, she insisted on keeping up her frantic pace. Traveling through the countries of eastern Europe took two months. She also spent many days at Calcutta’s Home for the Destitute and Dying. Doctors told her she should "slow down." Her reply: "I have all eternity to rest, and there is still much to do ... Life is not worth living unless it is lived for others." http://www.workersforjesus.com/teresa.htm

I like this translation better than the literal translation offered by the media. It's almost as if they were saying that a person that does not live to serve doesn't "deserve" to live and I don't think this is what the Pope meant to say. But definitely, unless we live our lives for others, our lives are empty and therefore, they are worthless.

A big theme of Pope Francis' message in this trip to Cuba and the United States is going to be power versus humility. Yesterday's readings were perfect to get this message across: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Mk 9:35 "Whoever wishes to be great must serve others, not be served by others," reiterated Pope Francis. "Life is lived authentically in a concrete commitment to our neighbor... Christians are constantly called to set aside their own wishes and desires, their pursuit of power, and to look instead to those who are most vulnerable... Service is never ideological, for we do not serve ideas, we serve people."

It was very emotional to see Pope Francis giving mass in my birth country, a country I left 46 years ago but that still remains vividly imprinted in my heart. As I saw images of the Cathedral in Old Havana, where the Pope would be giving mass in the afternoon to the youth, I remembered attending mass in that same cathedral with my mom and grandmother. I was only seven when I left Cuba and I am yet to return, but there are memories that are like flashbacks to a past that forever ties me to that land. 

Only 90 miles separate us from Cuba but the emotional division cannot be measured. Only time will tell if this visit from Pope Francis to two countries that are so close and yet still so far, will bridge our differences. But one thing is certain, the message was meant for people on both sides of the water. Those of us that think we are better and more powerful, must come down from our thrones of power and contempt. Those of us that think we deserve to be served because we were dealt the wrong card, must rise up, stop judging and start making a difference in the life of someone else. No matter where we fall in the spectrum, there is always someone more vulnerable that we can help out. 

As Pope Francis pointed out: "We need to be careful not to be tempted by a 'service' which is 'self-serving'. This service gives rise to a process of exclusion. All of us are asked, indeed urged, by Jesus to care for one another out of love. Without looking to one side or the other to see what our neighbor is doing or not doing. We have to be careful to avoid judgmental looks and renew our belief in the transforming look to which Jesus invites us." And we have to put aside all those divisions that we have created over the course of more than half a century to truly be able to extend a hand and embrace our neighbors on the other side of the strait because after all, "life is not worth living unless it is lived for others."

Everything's Gonna be Alright

Yesterday we attended mass at St. Francis de Sales in New York City. I was pleasantly surprised. This Church community is vibrant. I was ready to raise my hand and volunteer to help out. Then I remembered that I was just visiting. For that one hour, I forgot I was a visitor. I felt at home.

As New York gets ready for the Pope's visit next week, that is the message I got. We are one family, one community, no matter where we come from. And this is the message that Pope Francis is trying to spread through the world. The Church needs to be open. It needs to be inclusive. We need to welcome everyone. I recently found out that women that have had abortions were not welcome in the Church. I was appalled. If Jesus came today, would He turn His back on them? I don't think so. So who are we to judge? We have to be careful not to become like the Pharisees of the first century. We get so hung up on the rules that we lose sight of our humanity.

Pope Francis is trying to change the Church's outlook and old ways. Another area that I was happy to hear that he's taking a second look at is how the Church annuls marriages. I know many couples that go to mass every Sunday and yet they are not allowed to receive the Eucharist because they were previously married by the Church and for whatever reason, they have not been able to annul those first marriages. Would Jesus deny them His body and blood simply because they made a mistake the first time around? 

The priest at St. Francis de Sales in New York City began the mass by asking everyone to say hello to those around them. Then he grabbed the little girl sitting in the front pew and asked her to hold the Bible for him. He asked for volunteers to pass out the mass and song booklets. During the offertory, instead of passing the basket, everyone walked up to the altar to deposit their gifts. He said: "I'm not the only one celebrating mass. We are all celebrating mass together, as a community. This is your home. You should feel welcome when you come here." At the end, he called to the front everyone that was celebrating a birthday or anniversary and he blessed them. He asked: "Who is visiting?" and he personally went up to each visitor and welcomed us to St. Francis. 

The offertory song went something like this: "I've got a feeling, everything's gonna be alright..." And I left with joy in my heart. No matter what we are going through on a personal level and no matter what is happening in our world, "Everything's gonna be alright."

May We Never Forget

As I fly to New York today on 9/11, I remember all those persons that fourteen years ago boarded planes without imagining that it would be their last time. And I also remember all those that went to work thinking that it would just be another regular day at the office. I pray for all those families that are still mourning the loss of the loved one they lost on that day. 

My friend Maria said, "you are courageous,"when I told her on what day I was flying to New York. But I don't think it's about courage. I think it's about not allowing evil to win. If we stop flying on 9/11, if we stop doing the normal things we always do, if we live in fear, then we have allowed evil to win. And I am happy to report that it takes more than fear and threats to break the American spirit. The airport is packed. My flight to New York is full to capacity. And yes, security was tighter than it usually is, they even had checkpoints as we drove into the airport, but that is a good thing and I feel very safe flying today.

I keep hearing everywhere: "We are living scary times. The world is not what it used to be..." But isn't it? If we really take a look at any history book or the Bible, we can see that any period in time has had its own sets of challenges. In the first century Christians were persecuted and killed through crucifixion. Many have been martyred for their faith in all the centuries. During the Middle Ages, Christians were accused of heresy and they were persecuted by other Christian groups. There have been wars, plagues, and all kinds of calamities during every period. So why not now? We are no more special than our ancestors. This is the time that we live in and it's up to us to make the best of it.

Evil and good have held hands in our world forever. But it's up to each one of us not to allow evil to win. If we combat every evil act with love and kindness, we have conquered. If we don't allow fear to control us, we can claim the victory. The Good News is that Jesus has already claimed that victory for us. He has beat the evil one and so can we.

So today, I also pray for all those that in the name of a god carry so much hatred in their hearts. May our God which is a God of love open their eyes to see the truth. And may God protect us as we try to spread His message of love throughout the world. If we do this, then all those that died fourteen years ago did not die in vain. May we never forget them. And may we always live in peace with one another because after all we are the United States of America. 

May God bless our country!!!

Happy Birthday Mama Mary

"Her soul was the space from which God was able to gain access into humanity." Pope Benedict XVI

Today we celebrate the feast day of "La Caridad del Cobre" (our Lady of Charity), patroness of Cuba. Most people in Miami know this but what most don't know is that today we also celebrate Mama Mary's birthday. The day that she became a mom is celebrated more than the day she was born. And I'm sure she doesn't mind. Most mothers celebrate the day they became moms and that day is usually more important to them than the day they were born.

In two days I will also celebrate the day I became a mom. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. I can't believe 27 years have passed. I have accomplished things in my life of which I am proud, but nothing surpasses becoming a mom. It wasn't easy for me. I thought that once I was ready, I would conceive immediately. It took two years. When I held that baby boy for the first time, I knew that I was holding a miracle. I had become a co-creator with God. I was in awe of that tiny and yet so perfect human being.

I imagine that's how Mama Mary felt when she held her baby boy for the first time. He was truly a miracle. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a Virgin Girl and His Father was God. She must have been in complete awe. From the day she was conceived, God chose her as His vessel to bring Christ into the world. I imagine on the day she was born, the Angels must have sang their praises.

Even though she was chosen by God, she still had a choice. She had free will so she could have easily answered "NO." That would have been the easy choice. But she did not choose the easy road. She answered "YES." And today we are still benefiting from the ripple effects of that "YES." The most important "YES" that has been ever uttered.

As I mentioned earlier, becoming a mother has been my greatest accomplishment but it has also been the most difficult. Motherhood is not for sissies. I remember my grandmother's words to me when I told her that I was expecting a child. She told me: "You will never sleep peacefully again." How right she was. The saying: "Out of sight, out of mind," doesn't apply to mothers. My oldest son may be turning 27, he lives in New York and is fully independent. I have not seen him since May but he is always present in my mind and in my heart. That is the case also with his sister and brother. They may be out of sight but they are never out of mind. I know they don't like the fact that I'm constantly checking up on them. I make them text me every morning. The youngest who is the clown of the family, always texts me: "I'm alive." And when they are traveling, I request a step-by-step: "at the airport," "through security," "in the plane," "landed..." They claim I'm a "helicopter mother." Too bad. After carrying them for nine months and bringing them into the world, the very least they can do is to check in with a simple text.

Mama Mary did not have this advantage because in the first century there were no cellphones. There were not even telephones. Communication took forever. In today's world where we can't be apart from our cellphones for a minute, it's hard to imagine having to wait days to receive news about someone. I can't imagine being a mother in the first century. My heart would not withstand the uncertainty of never knowing if my child was fine. But Mama Mary survived that and more. She is my role model and my hero. I can't even begin to imagine the pain and the suffering that she went through at every stage of Jesus' life. When He got lost for three days and she couldn't find Him... When He began His public life and she went months without seeing Him, not knowing where He was or how He was... And the most horrific moment of her life, to see her Baby Jesus carrying such a heavy cross, condemned even though she knew that He was innocent and to witness His crucifixion... Oh Mama Mary, how much that "YES" cost you, but You were obedient to the Father and if you had to do it all over again, I know you would always say "YES."

Happy Birthday, Mama Mary. Help us to love like you did. Teach us to obey like you did. Show us to bear our pain the way you did, in silence and always trusting God. Thank you for your "YES." It was the greatest, most unselfish gift ever given to the world. Guide us so we can be more like you.

This too shall pass

"My God, I have never thanked you for my thorn. I have thanked you for my roses, but not once for my thorn... Those miserable, prickly thorns! What eternal weights of glory they may be." 
                                                                                                                                 -George Matteson

Life is a rollercoaster. There are times when everything seems to be moving in slow motion and on a flat surface. And then all of a sudden, you take a turn and you are dropping at 100 miles per hour. And then you have to make your way out of the hole at snail pace, trying to reach the top while all the time hoping that you can find another plateau where you can actually breathe.

Whenever I'm going through a difficult time in my life, my friends tell me over and over: "This too shall pass." And if they don't tell me, then I keep saying it to myself. Recently, my friend Lupe told me that she was praying for Alex and she mentioned the famous phrase: "This too shall pass." But she added what she likes to call her philosophical rampage:

"Life is not the fairy tale that we grew up believing. It consists of a myriad of experiences, ranging from heart wrenching to ecstasy, each experience allowing us the opportunity to either grow or to wither. With God's grace, we move from one to the other, firmer in faith and trusting in His will."

I told Lupe that her philosophical rampage had been inspired by God and that I was going to use it in my next meditation. She hit it right on the nail. "Life is not a fairy tale." We move from happy and joyous events to sad and somber experiences. But the important thing is what we learn from each experience. As Lupe so wisely stated, we can "grow or wither."

My least favorite book in the Bible is the Book of Job. I don't know too many people that like this book for obvious reasons. Nobody likes to suffer. Job's struggles are overwhelming. I don't want to walk in his shoes. Ever. But unfortunately, to some degree, we all have to walk in Job's shoes at various points in our lives. And here's where the Book of Job can be very helpful. We can learn a lot from Job. Job's biggest distress comes from thinking that God did not care. He asked God for an explanation. When God speaks to Job, He doesn't explain and He doesn't apologize. We are not going to receive an explanation from God or an apology either. But from the book of Job we can learn that even in the calamities of our life, God has a purpose. He may seem silent but He is not absent. Even when we feel that He is not answering our prayers, we can trust that God has a bigger plan for us just like He had a bigger plan for Job. Silence is just part of His strategy. 

God hears us. He hears our prayers, our petitions, our weeping... But God wants us to grow, He doesn't want us to wither. Afflictions truly shows us our strengths. It reveals what we are made of. And tribulations, if we offer them up to God, can become the tools that God uses for our spiritual growth.

So next time that you find yourself in the rollercoaster, falling at 100 miles per hour, remember that this too shall pass.