Carpe diem – Guest post by Selin

This post was written by one of our readers from El Salvador named Selin.  I think it’s the perfect subject to speak of this time of year, as January is the first month of the year and we have our goals and New Year’s resolutions fresh in our minds.  With the frenzied fast pace of our day and time, it is important to keep in mind that every moment is precious and every day is worth savoring, moment by moment.  Sometimes we almost have to take a step back in order to remember to take one step at a time.

Carpe diem

First, hello everyone.  I hope Our Blessed Mother dwell in your minds and hearts.  May She guide you closer to our Lord Jesus.  I hope these few words be light in your life.  And here we go.  Carpe diem is a Latin expression that means “seize the day”.  It was coined by the roman poet Horace, who lived and died in Rome before Christ.  I first heard this sentence from the mouth of Robin Williams in that old movie called The Dead Poets Society.  Do you remember?  Williams was professor John Keating, one of those teachers that we all wanted to have, a passionate one.  A teacher who goes beyond transmitting knowledge.  Someone who teaches you how to live, how to discover the beauty surrounds us (and often we don’t see), someone who helps you to find the meaning of life and to savor every moment of your biography.  I love that movie!

Why Carpe diem?

Well, we are starting a new year.  So nothing better to savor every day of the calendar.  But not with that unbridled momentum to be the first, the best, the most famous, the one who most enjoy the pleasures of life or the one who have more “stuffs”.  For me (and hopefully for you too), now that I try to follow Mary in her footsteps, now that I try to imitate her to be better Christian, seize the day is to feel the peace and the joy of Jesus.  Do I speak of unattainable goals?  I don’t think so.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope John Paul II, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Monsignor Romero (from my country), and many others (known and anonymous) were successful.  Why we don’t?  Sure we can!  But how is it?  Start the day by thanking God, exalts His Holy Name, talks to Him at least 10 minutes a day, reads and meditates on the Bible, visit the Blessed Sacrament frequently, don’t break your Sunday Mass (if you can go everyday, much better), experience the Sacraments, pray the Rosary, listen to Catholic programs.  And, of course, do what you have to do (your ordinary job, whatever it is) the most extraordinary way you can.  Mmmmm, at this point you might say: how boring.  Yes, it may be at first.  But I tell you from the bottom of my heart, eventually you’ll find that it’s tastier than a cappuccino, better than to watch a good movie, better than a Coke in the middle of the desert.  Not because of you, but by Grace.  Remember what the Master of teachers said: “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:33).  I guarantee, fellas, being a Christian is beautiful; following Christ is born again, being a Catholic is … Carpe diem!

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