When I was young, I fancied myself as growing up to do big things. I wasn’t necessarily consumed with fame, but I wanted to do or be something important and affect the lives of many.

We go about our daily life running from one thing to the next. We are consumed with our “to do” lists and how many tasks we can scratch off. We go to work. We study at school. We take care of our homes and yards, do laundry and go to the grocery. You get the idea … we are very busy.

I spent a good deal of my recent vacation in church … well … churches, actually. While vacationing, we attended Sunday Mass at the Catedral-Basilica de Santa Maria de Mallorca located in Palma, Mallorca, an island off the coast of Spain.

A priest has been present for almost every pivotal moment of my life: Baptism, first Communion, confirmation, marriage, family deaths and work experiences.

I’m not a fan of the word “woke” because I don’t think most people understand its definition. The term refers to when one is “awakened” to facts or issues they previously did not know or understand.

I just started having my nails done at a local salon about a year ago. Luckily, I found a nail technician there who does a fantastic job, and I also enjoy chatting with her. She is originally from Venezuela, and I love learning about her culture, traditions and family.

Another year, another Lent. Another season of successfully or not so successfully giving something up as a sacrifice. But what if there’s another way of truly focusing on the meaning of sacrifice?

Jesus ministered to thousands, but he invested in 12. He ministered to large crowds but invested deeply in a small group. That’s how a grassroots effort begins. While society tells us everything bigger is better, Jesus knew the exponential impact his 12 Apostles would have on our world.

Have you ever had the experience of hearing the same Scripture over and over throughout your life, but you suddenly hear something new in the story?