<![CDATA[OSCAR RIVERA - BLOG]]>Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:30:20 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Donkey see's Jubilee]]>Thu, 26 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMThttp://oscartwoten.com/blog/opening-the-doors-more-than-curb-appealOpening the Doors: More than Curb Appeal
When I first moved to Somerset, MA, I couldn’t help but notice the curious obsession people have with their front doors. They’re a big deal here—painted in bright colors, adorned with intricate wreaths, and often more decorative than functional. What really surprised me, though, was that most people don’t even use them to enter their homes. They’re more like an art piece for the curb appeal than an actual point of entry.
This newfound fascination with doors took on a life of its own after I traveled to the Azores on my way to World Youth Day in Lisbon. In Ponta Delgada, I saw the Portas da Cidade—and thought to myself; ‘This place must be big fans of Fall River, MASS’. Suddenly, it all clicked. The front-door mania in Somerset is an homage to the region’s Portuguese roots. It’s not just a door; it’s a cultural statement. (And it also clicked that the Port da Cidade, in Fall River was a replica.)
But my curiosity didn’t stop there. Doors, it turns out, have been a "thing" throughout history. The ancient Egyptians used them to symbolize gateways to the afterlife in tombs. The Greeks and Romans later turned them into architectural marvels, complete with sliding and double-door designs for temples. By the Middle Ages, doors had become powerful symbols of wealth and status, often crafted from heavy wood or bronze and adorned with intricate carvings on cathedrals and palaces.
Doors have always been more than wood and hinges; they represent something deeper. Meeting guests at the door, welcoming someone across the threshold, or even the act of holding a door open all carry profound meaning. Yet as much as we focus on the grandeur of doors, we often overlook the small, humble hinge that makes them work. Without the hinge, a door is just a piece of wood stuck in a frame, unable to fulfill its purpose. 
This year, one door in particular will take center stage, yet the hinge will still remain hidden to most. The Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in that center stage door. On December 24, 2024, Pope Francis will ceremonially open this door, marking the beginning of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year. It’s not just a symbolic action but also  rare gesture; steeped in rich tradition and spiritual significance.
To understand the significance of the Holy Door, we first need to dive into the roots of the Jubilee Year, which are found in the Old Testament. In Leviticus 25:10, God commanded the Jewish people to observe a jubilee every 50 years. This was no ordinary celebration—it was a time for radical acts of mercy and justice. Slaves were set free, debts forgiven, and land returned to its original owners. These actions served as a powerful reminder that everything ultimately belongs to God.
The Jubilee Year was more than a societal reset; it was a spiritual renewal. It reminded the people of their dependence on God and their responsibility to care for God’s creation of all.
This theme of liberation and restoration is echoed in the prophecy of Isaiah 61, where the coming of the Messiah is described as a time of freedom for captives and healing for the brokenhearted. We believe these words from the Prophet Isaiah finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who came to free humanity from sin and death.
Jesus himself uses the imagery of a door in John’s Gospel: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” The Holy Door invites the faithful to embrace this truth. Crossing its threshold signifies leaving behind sin and stepping into God’s boundless mercy.
St. Peter’s Basilica doors recount the story of Salvation. Each panel illustrates a key moment in God’s relationship with humanity. One particularly moving panel shows the Good Shepherd searching for a lost sheep. This image is a powerful reminder of Christ’s relentless love and pursuit of every soul, no matter how far they’ve wandered. For those feeling adrift, the Holy Door offers a message of hope: it’s never too late to return to God’s loving embrace.
In a world filled with pressures, uncertainties, and distractions, the Holy Door serves as a reminder to all that they are deeply loved and that God’s mercy is always within reach.
The Jubilee Year is a call to action for all Catholics. It’s a time to reflect on one’s relationship with God and others, to practice forgiveness, and to live out the principles of mercy and justice in daily life. At its core, it proclaims that no one is beyond redemption and that every life can be transformed by God’s grace.
This message is particularly resonant for youth and young adults, who often face questions of identity, purpose, and belonging. The year encourages them to trust in God’s plan for their lives and to seek His guidance in moments of doubt or difficulty.
While the Holy Door’s symbolism captures the imagination, it’s the hinge that ensures its movement. Without the hinge, the door would remain closed, unable to fulfill its purpose. In the same way, Christ is the hinge of our faith—the one who enables us to move from darkness into light, from sin into grace.
In John’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims, “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” This declaration reminds us that Christ is not only the door but also the hinge that makes salvation possible. He is the pivot point, connecting heaven and earth, and the one through whom we find true freedom and renewal.
As the Holy Door opens on  December 24, 2024, it serves as an invitation to all Catholics: step through, embrace God’s mercy, and renew your life in Christ. Just as the hinge allows the door to swing open, Christ enables us to step into the fullness of His mercy, justice and love. Let us open not just the doors of basilicas but the doors of our hearts, responding to God’s call with trust, gratitude, and joy.]]><![CDATA[Donkey see's Hope]]>Wed, 27 Nov 2024 02:28:24 GMThttp://oscartwoten.com/blog/november-26th-2024​HOPE: Grind, Faith, and Resilience for the Real Ones Picture
During my recent visit to New York City, I couldn’t help but feel the pulse of the city—it’s like the big brother of the world, constantly moving, always grinding. It’s tough, no doubt. You can see it in the steel of the skyline, the hard hustle of its people, and the resilience that runs through the streets. But even in all that power, I noticed something deeper, and it broke my heart: a spiritual void. It’s like the city’s built on strength but missing the soul beneath it. The toughness is there, but spiritually, it’s soft—caught up in an optimism that can’t hold up when the real struggles hit. New York’s got the resilience to make it through anything, but it’s also full of spiritual quitters. They’ve confused optimism with true Christian hope, and that’s where the gap lies.

Hope isn’t just wishful thinking or some fleeting emotion—it’s an anchor, a power source that can pull you out of the darkest situations. Whether you’re grinding through school, dealing with family struggles, or trying to make your mark in the professional world, hope is a game changer. It gives us the strength to keep going when the odds seem stacked up and the resilience to bounce back when life knocks us down.
​
Navigating today’s challenges presents new sources of stressors. Addiction to social media and its dopamine fix, and the deceptive source feeding of algorithmic marketing are strong distractions that blind people from hope.  Today it wouldn’t be preachy to claim boldly: hope is essential today more than ever. But we’re not talking about blind optimism or ignoring reality. Hope is gritty. Hope is active. The source of all hope is Jesus, and the good news of Jesus' message is full of hope and that message, as Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his encyclical Spe Salvi, is not just “informative” but “performative,” meaning it changes lives and moves us into action.
Let’s break this down and explore how you can make hope part of your everyday life.​

1. Hope Fuels Strength:
Hope and strength go hand in hand. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
When you’re staring down challenges—a hard exam, a financial hurdle, or even heartbreak—hope doesn’t just help you endure; it empowers you to “soar”. Think about athletes who train tirelessly, even when they don’t see immediate results. Hope in their goal keeps them going.

Action Tip: When you feel weak or discouraged, remind yourself of what you’ve already overcome. Say to yourself, “I’ve got the strength to handle this, one step at a time.”

Jesus’ Message: “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” -John 16:33

2. Reframe the Negative Thoughts:
Hope shifts our focus from what’s wrong to what could go right. When life throws curveballs, hopeful thinking helps us see setbacks as stepping stones. For example, if you don’t get the job or internship you wanted, instead of thinking, “I’m a failure,” or ‘it is what it is” say ”I am not failure” or “It is what it is, but I am going to do what I need to do”

Action Tip: Write your negative thoughts and actively reframe them. Write down one thing you can learn or an alternative path to your goal.

Jesus’ Message: “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” -Luke 6:45

3. Hope Is Active, Not Passive:
Hope isn’t about waiting around for things to magically improve. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and doing what you can to create a better future. As Spe Salvi emphasizes, “All serious and upright human conduct is hope in action”-Spe Salvi #35. In other words, true Christian hope inspires action and fuels perseverance, especially in tough times.
Think about someone working to heal a broken relationship despite past hurt. They’re not just wishing things will get better—they’re reaching out, having honest conversations, and making sacrifices to rebuild trust. That’s hope in action.

Action Tip: Set a small, achievable goal each day that moves you closer to hope in action. Maybe it’s reaching out to a mentor, studying for an extra 30 minutes, or applying for one more opportunity.

Jesus’ Message: “For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” -Matthew 7:8


4. Gratitude Builds Hope:
Gratitude shifts your mindset from scarcity to abundance. When we take time to recognize what’s going well—no matter how small—it strengthens our hope for better days ahead.

Think about how many blessings you overlook daily: a roof over your head, a friend who checks in, or the simple fact that you made it through another day. Gratitude doesn’t ignore the struggle; it reminds us there’s still good to hold on to.

Action Tip: Each night, write down three things you’re thankful for. Even if it’s just “I had a good meal” or “I laughed today,” that’s enough to start shifting your focus.

Jesus’ Message: “And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice”-Luke 17:15

5. Find Joy in the Everyday:
Spe Salve states the following: “In the midst of these torments, which usually terrify others, I am, by the grace of God, full of joy and gladness, because I am not alone —Christ is with me” -Spe Salve #37. 

Joy is not always manifested in laughter, yet laughter can be a vehicle which drives joy to hope. Laughter has the power to change the body chemistry and brain functioning. Sometimes, hope shows up in small joys and laughter—a funny TikTok, a random compliment, or an inside joke with a friend. Laughter and smiles release chemicals in your brain that help fight stress and build resilience.

Action Tip: Make room for joy. Whether it’s watching a comedy, listening to music that lifts your mood, or just joking with friends, these moments recharge your hope.

Jesus’ Message: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” -John 15:11

6. Train Your Resilience:
Hope and resilience are like workout partners: they strengthen each other. Resilience means bouncing back after life knocks you down, and hope gives you the energy to do it.
For example, think about how you handled past disappointments. What helped you recover? That process—learning, adapting, and trying again—is what builds resilience.

Action Tip: The next time you face a challenge, ask, “What did I learn, and how can I use this to grow?” Keep a record of these lessons as reminders of your strength.

Jesus’ Message: “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.s But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.” -Matthew 7: 24-25

7. Choose Your People and Spaces Wisely:
“Bad company corrupts good morals.'" -1 Corinthians 15:33Your environment matters. Surrounding yourself with hopeful, supportive people can keep your hope alive, even when you’re struggling. In contrast, toxic environments drain your energy and perspective. “Freedom requires conviction; conviction does not exist on its own, but must always be gained anew by the community.” - Spe Salve #24

Jesus did not surround Himself with people who agreed with Him on everything: He surrounded Himself with a community that shared His vision and purpose, even when there was uncertainty or doubt. You should do the same.

Action Tip: Make more time for people who uplift and inspire you—friends, mentors, faith groups. If you don’t have those connections yet, consider volunteering or joining spaces where positivity thrives.

Jesus’ Message: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” - Matthew 18:20


Hope vs. Optimism: Know the Difference:
Optimism says, “Everything will work out.” But hope says, “Even if things don’t go as planned, I’ll keep pushing forward.” Hope is more than just good vibes—it’s rooted in faith and action.

As Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, Christian hope is anchored in the ultimate promise of eternal life. But that hope isn’t about ignoring suffering or pretending everything’s fine. In fact, an article from Health Psychology points out that “suffering is an inherent part of life that must be confronted rather than avoided.” This echoes the message from Salvifici Doloris and the words of Jesus: “Take up your cross and follow me.” As Salvifici Doloris states, suffering is tied to humanity’s transcendence—it’s part of the journey where we’re called to go beyond ourselves, even in mysterious ways.

This doesn't mean we ignore our struggles. Instead, it’s about trusting that, even in the midst of hardship, there’s a greater purpose at play. Each challenge we face has meaning within God’s bigger plan for you.

Practicing hope isn’t about denying the pain or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about believing that your story isn’t over. It’s about trusting that God’s got your back and that he is giving you what it takes to persevere.

True Christian hope isn’t just the "keep pushing" mentality that says everything will be fine in the end. Nah, hope is about knowing that, even when it doesn’t go the way you want, there’s still a bigger purpose at work. It’s about trusting that God’s plan holds weight, even in the struggle. In the city that never sleeps, resilience is everywhere, but hope—real hope—needs a foundation, to lean on.and Jesus built His church to be that foundation. It’s not about surviving; it’s about thriving through the hard times with the kind of faith that sees the unseen. Just like the city, we’ve got to build strength, but we can’t forget the deeper foundation that keeps us standing when everything else falls apart.
​
As Isaiah says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” So, lean into that strength. Take action, stay grateful, and surround yourself with positivity. Every time you practice hope, you’re choosing to rise, to grow, and to trust that your future is worth fighting for.

Keep the faith, and keep moving forward. You've got this.

]]>