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Silence is a Treasure / El Silencio es Un Tesoro

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As a young adult fresh out of missionary life, I used to listen frequently to Christian music. I found inspiration and fervor singing along to all the CD’s I had purchased after picking out my favorite tunes on the radio. Certain songs I listened to over and over again, due to their relevance in my life at the time. 

As the seasons of my life changed and I became a wife and mother to a brood of little ones, I realized how precious silence was and stepped away from listening to music. I never turn on the radio anymore and never pop in CD’s. I don’t have a Pandora app on my phone and don’t go to concerts. Any moment of silence is now a treasure.

But I recently started a new job and my coworker enjoys playing Christian music in the background while we work and I realized once again how enriching music can be. For the past few days I have been singing to myself: “All I know is I’m not home yet, this is not where I belong. Take this world and give me Jesus. This is not where I belong…” (song by Building 429) It reminds me over and over again that the only truly important thing in my life is my Lord and my God. 

Today’s readings are full of many such reminders: Moses reminded the people in today’s First Reading: “If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul.” The Psalm Response proclaims: “Turn to the Lord in your need and you will live.” The Second Reading states: “Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church.” And finally, the Gospel reminds us “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

All of these words from Sacred Scripture point toward one thing. God is God and I am not. He has everything in the palm of His hand. He’s got this. No matter how messy life gets (or how noisy), He’s got this. 

I pray that each of you may find a few moments of silence to cherish today, and may they be spent in His presence. Who knows, maybe you will even find yourself singing “Take this world and give me Jesus. This is not where I belong…” 

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Como adulta joven que recién había salido de la vida misionera, solía escuchar música cristiana con frecuencia. Encontraba inspiración y fervor cantando todos los CDs que había comprado después de elegir mis canciones favoritas en la radio. Ciertas canciones las escuchaba una y otra vez, por su relevancia en mi vida en aquel momento.

A medida que esta época de mi vida se iba cambiando y me convertí en esposa y madre de varios pequeños, me di cuenta de lo precioso que era el silencio y dejé de escuchar música. Ya nunca enciendo la radio y nunca pongo CDs. No tengo una app de Pandora en mi teléfono y no voy a conciertos. Ahora considero cualquier momento de silencio un tesoro.

Pero recientemente comencé un nuevo trabajo y mi compañera de trabajo disfruta escuchar música cristiana mientras trabajamos y me di cuenta una vez más de lo enriquecedora que puede ser la música. Durante los últimos días me he estado cantando a mí mismo: “Todo lo que sé es que todavía no estoy en casa, no pertenezco en este lugar. Toma este mundo y dame a Jesús. No pertenezco en este lugar…” (canción por Building 429) Me recuerda una y otra vez que lo único que es verdaderamente importante en mi vida es mi Señor y mi Dios.

Las lecturas de hoy están llenas de muchos recordatorios de este tipo: Moisés le recordó al pueblo en la Primera Lectura de hoy: “Si tan solo escucharan la voz de Jehová su Dios, y guardaran sus mandamientos y estatutos que están escritos en este libro de la ley, cuando vuelven al SEÑOR, tu Dios, con todo tu corazón y con toda tu alma”. El Salmo Responsorial proclama: “Vuelva al Señor en tu necesidad y vivirás”. La Segunda Lectura dice: “Cristo Jesús es la imagen del Dios invisible, el primogénito de toda la creación, porque en él fueron creadas todas las cosas en el cielo y en la tierra, lo visible y lo invisible, sean tronos o dominios o principados o potestades; todas las cosas fueron creadas por medio de Él y para Él. Él es antes de todas las cosas, y todas las cosas subsisten en Él. Él es la cabeza del cuerpo que es la iglesia”. Y finalmente, el Evangelio nos recuerda: “Amarás al Señor, tu Dios, con todo tu corazón, con todo tu ser, con todas tus fuerzas y con toda tu mente, y a tu prójimo como a ti mismo”.

Todas estas palabras de la Sagrada Escritura señalan una sola cosa. Dios es Dios y yo no. Él tiene todo en la palma de Su mano. Él lo tiene. No importa cuán desordenada se ponga la vida (o cuán ruidosa), Él lo tiene.

Espero que cada uno de ustedes pueda encontrar unos momentos de silencio para atesorar hoy, y que los pase en Su presencia. Quién sabe, tal vez incluso te encuentres cantando “Toma este mundo y dame a Jesús. No pertenezco en este lugar…”

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Tami Urcia grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. She loves tackling projects, finding fun ways to keep her little ones occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby and finding unique ways to love. She works at for Christian Healthcare Centers, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for over 20 years.

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Fearless / Audaz

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Would you invite someone to a task by saying how terrible it’s going to be for them? “It’s a dangerous and difficult job, and people are going to hate you for doing it. They will do all kinds of hurtful things to you. They will even kill you.” Um. I’ll pass on that.

This is what Jesus has just said to his Apostles as he sent them out “as sheep in the midst of wolves” to preach the Gospel. Full disclosure. But in today’s Gospel he is telling them that, even though it truly is a difficult task and they will be opposed and even killed (things that naturally cause fear!), they need not be afraid. But the reasons Jesus gives are not the reasons we might expect.

Jesus does not say that everything will be alright, or that the Apostles will only be threatened but not suffer, or that they will be saved from death at the last moment and defeat every enemy. Surely, Jesus is capable of those things. But those are the images of myths and superheroes, but not the images of the Gospel.

On the contrary, Jesus points to the full reality of being an intentional Christian: the cross of opposition, humiliation, and suffering. The cross demands courage, perseverance, and faithfulness, which are possible when we see the purpose and the goal. So Jesus draws the Apostles toward the antidote to fear: an “eternal perspective,” helping them to see things in full cosmic scale, reminding them that there is so much MORE to reality than we normally consider. He reminds them that ultimately, the spiritual takes precedence over the physical, we must seek the Kingdom first, knowing that our value is exponentially greater than we understand. We are loved and cared for in every detail (the very hairs of our head are numbered!) by the Creator who is also our tender Father, so we need not fear anything but sin.

There is always evil and stupidity in the world, and often this is the noisiest and loudest and gets the most attention. But all the weakness and darkness that lies below the surface of the flashy noise will be revealed in the end, like the “man behind the curtain” projecting “the great and powerful Oz,” and we will see that it is nothing.

On the other hand, the steady and subtle movements of the Spirit of God within us and around us are where our attention should be, as it is this Spirit Who empowers us with every grace and virtue and adorns us with spiritual gifts, so that we are prepared for the eternal Wedding Feast. When we know the radiance for which we are created, we fear nothing on this earth. When our treasure is in Heaven and our eyes are fixed on the Heart of God, we will persevere through every difficulty until we are finally safe at Home.

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¿Invitarías a alguien a hacer algo presentándolo como algo terrible para ellos? “Es un trabajo peligroso y difícil, y la gente te va a odiar por hacerlo. Te harán todo tipo de cosas hirientes. Incluso te matarán”. Um…. no gracias.

Esto es lo que acaba de decir Jesús a sus Apóstoles cuando los envió “como ovejas en medio de los lobos” a predicar el Evangelio. La divulgación completa. Pero en el Evangelio de hoy les está diciendo que, aunque verdaderamente es una tarea difícil y se les opondrán e incluso los matarán (¡cosas que naturalmente causan miedo!), no deben tener miedo. Pero las razones que da Jesús no son las razones que podríamos esperar.

Jesús no dice que todo va a estar bien, o que los Apóstoles sólo van a ser amenazados pero no van a sufrir, o que van a ser salvados de la muerte en el último momento y vencerán a todos los enemigos. Seguramente, Jesús es capaz de esas cosas. Pero son imágenes de mitos y superhéroes, no del Evangelio.

Por el contrario, Jesús señala la plena realidad de ser un cristiano intencional: la cruz de la oposición, la humillación y el sufrimiento. La cruz exige valor, perseverancia y fidelidad, lo cuales son posibles cuando vemos el propósito y la meta. Así que Jesús atrae a los Apóstoles hacia el antídoto contra el miedo: una “perspectiva eterna”, ayudándoles a ver las cosas en su escala cósmica completa, recordándoles que hay mucho MÁS en la realidad de lo que normalmente consideramos. Les recuerda que en última instancia, lo espiritual tiene prioridad sobre lo físico, debemos buscar primero el Reino, sabiendo que nuestro valor es exponencialmente mayor de lo que entendemos. Somos amados y cuidados en cada detalle (¡los mismos cabellos de nuestra cabeza están contados!) por el Creador, quien también es nuestro  Padre tierno, por lo que no debemos temer nada, menos el pecado.

Siempre hay maldad y estupidez en el mundo y, a menudo, esto es lo más escandaloso y ruidoso y recibe la mayor atención. Pero toda la debilidad y la oscuridad que yace debajo de la superficie de la bulla se revelará al final, como el “hombre detrás de la cortina” que proyecta “el gran y poderoso Oz” , y veremos que no es nada.

Por otro lado, nuestra atención debe estar en los movimientos constantes y sutiles del Espíritu de Dios dentro de nosotros y alrededor de nosotros, ya que es este Espíritu quien nos fortaleza con toda gracia y virtud y nos adorna con dones espirituales, para que podamos ser preparados para la eterna Fiesta de Bodas. Cuando reconozcamos el resplandor para que fuimos creados, no tenemos nada que temer en esta tierra. Cuando nuestro tesoro esté en el Cielo y nuestros ojos estén fijados en el Corazón de Dios, vamos a perseverar a pesar de cualquier dificultad hasta que finalmente estemos seguros en nuestro hogar celestial.

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Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and four grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is www.KathrynTherese.com

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God Alone / Solo Dios

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Our readings begin with a clear reminder of God’s all-encompassing providence: “Because of me you bear fruit!” (Hos. 14:9). We hear this theme echoed throughout Scripture, especially in Jesus: “Without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Like the Israelites in the First Reading, we may think that the works of our hands, our ingenuity, or other nations will be our salvation, providing for us all that we need and giving us the strength to be morally upright and happy. Consider our dependence on technology, news, and scientific knowledge to give our lives meaning. We may not realize it at each moment, but we have a difficult time acknowledging God’s sovereignty and providence in practice.

God’s providence is not something distant. It is necessary for us to exist in the first place — without God allowing us to share in His existence we would not be here. Crippled as we are by Original Sin, we also need God’s providence to be forgiven and even to bear fruit in the first place. This is what our first two readings remind us of.

Once we have acknowledged our guilt and our trust in finite things instead of in the infinite God, there is still much work to be done for the kingdom. This is where we find ourselves in the Gospel. The Holy Spirit takes care of His people and enables them to witness, but we need to trust in Him. Again we run into the temptation to think that if our needs appear satisfied by the things of this world, we do not need God.

Ultimately, as Cardinal Robert Sarah is fond of saying, the choice is between God or nothing. The Lord made the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, and He keeps them running harmoniously, actively providing for the things He has created. We can acknowledge that or not, but He is working regardless. As Hosea says, “Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them” (Hos 14:10). We are all governed by God’s providence, but we reap the benefits of His care to the degree that we follow His way. If we ignore Him, we stumble.

Since He provides us with the grace we utterly depend upon, God deserves our constant praise. As Jesus and the Psalmist imply, this praise ought to extend to everything that comes our way, not just what comes in good times. God directs all things in the universe. We cannot forget that although He does not create or will evil, He permits it as a consequence of the free will He gives us. On the Cross, He showed us that He desires to bring good out of every evil, no matter the agony in the moment.

We have a powerful reminder today that without God, we cannot even begin to be good, fruitful, or happy, let alone exist in the first place. He provides us with more than we need. Let us praise Him for His wonderful providence, and trust that whatever comes our way, the Lord intends it to work for our good.

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Las lecturas de hoy comienzan con un claro recordatorio de la providencia abundante de Dios: “¡Gracias a mí lleváis fruto!” (Oseas 14:9). Escuchamos este tema repetido a lo largo de las Escrituras, especialmente en referencia a Jesús: “Separados de mí, nada podéis hacer” (Juan 15:5).

Como los israelitas en la Primera Lectura, podemos pensar que las obras de nuestras manos, nuestro ingenio o las de otras naciones serán nuestra salvación, proveyéndonos todo lo que necesitamos y dándonos la fuerza para ser moralmente rectos y felices. Considere nuestra dependencia en la tecnología, las noticias y el conocimiento científico para dar sentido a nuestras vidas. Puede que no nos demos cuenta en cada momento, pero en la práctica nos cuesta reconocer la soberanía y la providencia de Dios.

La providencia de Dios no es algo lejano. Es necesario que existamos en primer lugar, sin que Dios nos permita compartir Su existencia, no estaríamos aquí. Somos discapacitados por el pecado original y también necesitamos la providencia de Dios para ser perdonados e incluso para dar fruto desde un principio. Las dos primeras lecturas nos recuerdan de esto.

Una vez que hemos reconocido nuestra culpa y nuestra confianza en las cosas finitas en lugar de en el Dios infinito, todavía queda mucho trabajo por hacer para el reino. Aquí es donde nos encontramos en el Evangelio. El Espíritu Santo cuida a Su pueblo y lo capacita para testificar, pero tenemos que confiar en Él. Nuevamente caemos en la tentación de pensar que si nuestras necesidades parecen satisfechas por las cosas de este mundo, no necesitamos a Dios.

Al fin y al cabo, como le gusta decir al Cardenal Robert Sarah, escogemos entre Dios o nada. El Señor hizo los cielos y la tierra y todo lo que hay en ellos, y los mantiene funcionando armoniosamente, proveyendo activamente para las cosas que Él ha creado. Podemos reconocer eso o no, pero Él está obrando a pesar de todo. Como dice Oseas: “Derechas son las sendas del Señor, por ellas andan los justos, pero en ellas tropiezan los pecadores” (Os 14,10). Todos estamos gobernados por la providencia de Dios, pero cosechamos los beneficios de Su cuidado en la medida en que seguimos Su camino. Si lo ignoramos, tropezamos.

Dado que Él nos proporciona la gracia de la que dependemos por completo, Dios merece nuestra alabanza constante. Como lo insinúan Jesús y el salmista, esta alabanza debe extenderse a todo lo que se nos presenta, no solo a lo que se presenta en los buenos tiempos. Dios dirige todas las cosas en el universo. No podemos olvidar que aunque Él no crea ni quiere el mal, lo permite como consecuencia del libre albedrío que nos da. En la Cruz, Él nos mostró que desea sacar el bien de cada mal, sin importar la agonía del momento.

Hoy tenemos un poderoso recordatorio de que sin Dios, ni siquiera podemos comenzar a ser buenos, fructíferos o felices, y mucho menos existir en primer lugar. Él nos proporciona más de lo que necesitamos. Alabemos a Dios por Su maravillosa providencia, y confiemos en que cualquier cosa que se nos presente, el Señor tiene la intención de que obre para nuestro bien.

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David Dashiell is a freelance writer, editor, and proofreader based in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. His writing has been featured in Crisis Magazine and The Imaginative Conservative, and his editing is done for a variety of publishers, such as Sophia Institute and Scepter. He can be reached at ddashiellwork@gmail.com.

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The Father / Dios Padre

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Throughout scripture, God’s relationship with his people is described as like a bridegroom to a bride. You have probably heard the analogy that just as a husband and wife give up everything for the other, so too, Jesus gives up everything, even his very body, so that we might experience his love. 

We also have the analogy of the Trinity being like the relationship of a family. Now, of course, it is hard to talk about the Trinity without accidentally slipping into heresy and no analogy is perfect, but I think the image of a family is a good way to begin to describe the relationship of the Trinity. The husband loves the wife and the wife loves the husband and their love is so real that ordinarily in nine months you would give it a name. Similarly, God the Father loves God the Son and the Son loves the Father and from their loves proceeds the Holy Spirit.

I love all of the signs and symbols we use to describe God and his relationship with us, but perhaps my most favorite is the example we see in today’s First Reading. This one has hit home even harder for me since I became a dad. A father has to protect, guide, care for, and love his child but he also eventually has to let them make their own mistakes, grow, and learn. This is gut wrenching to even think about because all we want as father’s is for our kids to be ok. 

Now take that gut wrenching feeling that us imperfect humans have and multiply it by a million. We are seeing a fraction of what God feels for his people, knowing full well he is the way, the truth, and the life, but yet they still don’t believe, trust, or hope. The line that really strikes me is, “The more I called them, the farther they went from me, sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols.” God is calling each of us. Rather, he is chasing after us. Sometimes the more he calls the further away we run. Just like the Israelites who were freed from slavery turned to idols, we take up idols in our own lives to replace the relationship we should have with God. 

I think the question that is provoked from the First Reading is, what are your idols? What are mine? When God calls, what is it that allows us to easily turn and run? My encouragement to you today, as well as myself, is to pick one idol in your life that distracts you and for the next week try to break its power over you. One day, one minute, one second at a time. 

From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!

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Por todas las Escrituras, la relación de Dios con su pueblo muchas veces se describe como la de un novio con su novia. Capaz hayan escuchado la analogía de como un esposo y una esposa dan todo el uno por el otro, Jesús también da todo, incluso su propio cuerpo, para que podamos experimentar su amor.

También tenemos la analogía de la Trinidad como la relación de una familia. Por supuesto es difícil hablar de la Trinidad sin hablar herejías sin querer y ninguna analogía es perfecta, pero creo que la imagen de una familia es una buena manera de comenzar a describir la relación de la Trinidad. Un esposo ama a su esposa y una esposa ama su esposo y su amor es tan real que normalmente en nueve meses le darías nombre. Del mismo modo, Dios Padre ama a Dios Hijo y el Hijo ama al Padre y de sus amores procede el Espíritu Santo.

Me encantan todos los signos y símbolos que utilizamos para describir a Dios y su relación con nosotros, pero quizá mi favorito es el ejemplo que vemos en la Primera Lectura de hoy. Me ha afectado aún más desde ahora que soy papá. Un padre tiene que proteger, guiar, cuidar y amar a su hijo, pero también tiene que dejar que cometa sus propios errores, crezca y aprenda. Es desgarrador incluso pensar en esto porque todo lo que queremos como padre es que nuestros hijos estén bien.

Ahora, toma ese sentimiento desgarrador que tenemos los seres humanos imperfectos y multiplícalo por un millón. Estamos viendo una fracción de lo que Dios siente por su pueblo, sabiendo muy bien que él es el camino, la verdad y la vida, pero todavía no creen, confían ni esperan en él. La línea que realmente me llama la atención es: “Mientras más los llamaba, más se alejaban de mí, ofreciendo sacrificios a los Baales y quemando incienso a los ídolos”. Dios nos está llamando a cada uno de nosotros. Más bien, nos está persiguiendo. A veces, mientras más llama, más lejos corremos. Así como los israelitas que fueron liberados de la esclavitud se convirtieron en ídolos, nosotros tomamos ídolos en nuestras propias vidas para reemplazar la relación que debemos tener con Dios.

Creo que la pregunta que surge de la Primera Lectura es ¿cuáles son tus ídolos? ¿Cuáles son los míos? Cuando Dios llama, ¿qué es lo que nos permite dar la vuelta y correr fácilmente? Les motivo hoy, y a mí mismo también, elegir un ídolo que tienes en tu vida que te distraiga, y durante la próxima semana intenta romper su poder sobre ti. Un día, un minuto, un segundo a la vez.

De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios los bendiga!

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Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”

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Called By Name / Llamado Por Nombre

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We all have that experience of someone trying to talk to us but we are distracted by our thoughts or our actions and so it only barely registers. More often than not, the only thing that catches our attention in a situation like that is when someone calls our name. The simple use of our name is enough to demand a response, which can be a number of different things, such as, “Did you say something?” or “Are you talking to me?” 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus summons the twelve apostles and sends them out on mission, proclaiming that “the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” These apostles weren’t just any random followers – they were known by Jesus. He called them by name and asked great things of them. It’s also significant that their names are given to us in Scripture. We are an apostolic Church, after all. It’s important for us to know our roots, the beginnings of our Church. 

At first, Jesus called these twelve men to cure diseases and drive out demons and proclaim the Good News. After his Death and Resurrection, He asked them to continue the mission but with a new dimension – to break bread in His name, to celebrate the Eucharist. And so our Church spread to the ends of the earth. 

Jesus calls us by name, too. He gives us the same mission that He gave the twelve apostles. He demands great things of us. And He knows us better than we know ourselves. 

At our Baptisms, the first question that is asked of our parents is, “What name do you give your child?” The second question follows, “What do you ask of God’s Church?” One of the common responses is “faith.” It is this moment of our reception into the Catholic Church that we are given the mission of our faith, the same mission that we share with the apostles, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20)

Here are a few questions to ponder in prayer: Have you heard Jesus call your name? How have you responded in the past? What can we do differently to fully embrace our mission? 

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Todos hemos tenido esa experiencia cuando alguien quiere hablar con nosotros, pero estamos tan distraídos por nuestros pensamientos o nuestras acciones, que con las ajustas escuchamos. La mayoría de las veces, lo único que llama nuestra atención en esas situación es cuando alguien nos llama por nuestro nombre. El simple uso de nuestro nombre es suficiente para exigir una respuesta, que puede ser algo como “¿Dijiste algo?” o “¿Me estás hablando?”

En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús convoca a los doce apóstoles y los envía a la misión, proclamando que “el Reino de los cielos se ha acercado”. Estos apóstoles no eran simples seguidores al azar, eran conocidos por Jesús. Los llamó por su nombre y les pidió grandes cosas. También es significativo que se nos den sus nombres en las Escrituras. Después de todo, somos una Iglesia apostólica. Es importante que conozcamos nuestras raíces, los inicios de nuestra Iglesia.

Al principio, Jesús llamó a estos doce hombres para curar enfermedades y expulsar demonios y proclamar la Buena Nueva. Después de su Muerte y Resurrección, les pidió continuar la misión pero con una nueva dimensión: partir el pan en Su nombre, celebrar la Eucaristía, y así nuestra Iglesia se extendió hasta los confines de la tierra.

Jesús también nos llama por nuestro nombre. Nos da la misma misión que le dio a los doce apóstoles. Nos exige grandes cosas y nos conoce mejor que nosotros mismos.

En el bautizo, la primera cosa que preguntan a nuestros padres es: “¿Qué nombre le dan a su hijo?” La segunda es: “¿Qué le piden a la Iglesia de Dios?” Una de las respuestas comunes es “la fe”. Es en este momento de ser recibidos en la Iglesia Católica se nos da la misión de nuestra fe, la misma misión que compartimos con los apóstoles: “Id, pues, y haced discípulos a todas las naciones, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo, enseñándoles a guardar todo lo que os he mandado”. (Mt 28, 19-20)

Aquí hay algunas preguntas para reflexionar en oración: ¿Has escuchado a Jesús decir tu nombre? ¿Cómo has respondido en el pasado? ¿Qué podemos hacer diferente para abrazar plenamente nuestra misión?

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Erin is a Cleveland native and graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is passionate about the Lord Jesus, all things college sports and telling stories and she is blessed enough to get paid for all three of her passions as a full-time youth minister and a freelance sports writer.

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My Way / Mi Manera

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One of the more insidious pitfalls in the spiritual life is the desire to make our own rules. I suppose it can be considered an offshoot of pride, but the idea that I always know what is best, or that I can follow God’s instructions selectively, never works out well in the end. The Old Testament is full of examples of God’s people choosing their own way over God’s explicit way, the negative consequences that followed, and God’s mercy despite their disobedience. 

The Pharisees seemed to follow this dysfunctional pattern. They were leaders who lacked leadership. They set difficult rules for the people and didn’t follow those rules themselves. They decided their way was the right way and blinded themselves to the truth to such an extent that they literally couldn’t recognize God in their midst.

While it’s easy to point fingers at the Pharisees and their prideful stubbornness, they reflect the fallen nature in all of us. We, too, insist our way is better and fail to see God with every sinful word and action.

So today I must ask myself: in what ways do I insist that my way is better than God’s? Am I open to God’s will even if it comes in an unexpected or humbling form? Do I set an example for those around me, or are there ways I lead others astray? 

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Una de las trampas más insidiosas en la vida espiritual es el deseo de hacer nuestras propias reglas. Supongo que se puede considerar una rama del orgullo, pero la idea de que siempre sé lo que es mejor, o que puedo seguir las instrucciones de Dios de manera selectiva, nunca funciona bien al final. El Antiguo Testamento está lleno de ejemplos del pueblo de Dios eligiendo su propio camino sobre el camino explícito de Dios, las consecuencias negativas que siguieron y la misericordia de Dios a pesar de su desobediencia.

Los fariseos parecían seguir este patrón disfuncional. Eran líderes que carecían de liderazgo. Establecieron reglas difíciles para la gente que ellos mismos no siguieron. Decidieron que su camino era el correcto y se cegaron a la verdad hasta tal punto que literalmente no pudieron reconocer a Dios en medio de ellos.

Si bien es fácil señalar con el dedo a los fariseos y su terquedad orgullosa, ellos reflejan la naturaleza caída en todos nosotros. Nosotros también insistimos en que nuestro camino es mejor y fallamos en ver a Dios con cada palabra y acción pecaminosa.

Así que hoy debo preguntarme: ¿de cuál forma insisto que mi manera es mejor que la de Dios? ¿Estoy abierto a la voluntad de Dios incluso si se presenta de forma inesperada o humillante? ¿Son un ejemplo para los que me rodean, o hay formas en que desvío a otros?

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J.M. Pallas has had a lifelong love of Scriptures. When she is not busy with her vocation as a wife and mother to her “1 Samuel 1” son, or her vocation as a public health educator, you may find her at her parish women’s bible study, affectionately known as “The Bible Chicks.”

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Closeness to Christ / Cercanía a Cristo

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In today’s Gospel, we hear two instances of Jesus restoring life. In both cases, it is through proximity, through closeness to Jesus that the person is healed.

On His way to heal a young girl who has died, a woman suffering hemorrhages touches Jesus’ cloak in the hope of being healed of her ailment. He tells the woman, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” Imagine you are the one seeking healing from an ailment–be it physical or spiritual–and that Christ is saying that directly to you. “Courage, John/Jessica/Katie/Aaron! Your faith has saved you.” That’s powerful! Faith is powerful! That’s exactly what we are being told in this Gospel. When we feel weak and we authentically and faithfully seek out Christ to help us through that weakness, He answers our prayers. 

This Gospel also shows us the power of intercession. In the healing of the young girl, it is the faith of her father that brings her back from the dead. It is her father who appeals to Christ and it is because of his faith that Jesus grants healing to the young girl. How often are we asked by those around us–family, friends, people on social media, our parish community–to pray for someone in need? How often do we say “of course I’ll pray for them!” and then not follow through with those prayers? I know I’ve done that more times that I would care to admit. This Gospel hopefully teaches us the importance of praying on behalf of others and shows us the power of those prayers. 

Even though we cannot physically touch Jesus as the young girl and the woman suffering hemorrhages could, we can grow close in relationship to Him. Through prayer and through the sacraments we can stay close to Christ. 

May we continue to grow in relationship with Christ for the sake of ourselves and of others.

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En el Evangelio de hoy, escuchamos dos instancias donde Jesús restaura la vida. En ambos casos, es por la proximidad, por la cercanía a Jesús que la persona se cura.

Mientras está en camino a curar a una joven que ha fallecido, una mujer que sufre hemorragias toca el manto de Jesús con la esperanza de ser sanada de su dolencia. Le dice a la mujer: “¡Ánimo, hija! Tu fe te ha salvado.” Imagina que tú eres eras la persona que busca la curación de una dolencia, ya que sea física o espiritual, y que Cristo te diga directamente. “¡Ánimo, Juan/Yesica/Katalina/Aarón! Tu fe te ha salvado.” ¡Eso es poderoso! ¡La fe es poderosa! Eso es exactamente lo que dice este Evangelio. Cuando nos sentimos débiles y buscamos a Cristo auténtica y fielmente  para que nos ayude a superar esa debilidad, Él responde a nuestras oraciones.

Este Evangelio también nos muestra el poder de la intercesión. En la curación de la joven, es la fe de su padre que la resucita de entre los muertos. Es su padre quien apela a Cristo y es por su fe que Jesús cura a la joven. ¿Con qué frecuencia los que nos rodean (familia, amigos, personas en las redes sociales, nuestra comunidad parroquial) nos piden que oremos por alguien que lo necesita? ¿Con qué frecuencia decimos “¡por supuesto que voy a rezar por ellos!” y luego no damos seguimiento con la oración? Sé que yo lo he hecho más veces de las que me gustaría admitir. Esperamos que este Evangelio nos enseñe la importancia de orar en nombre de los demás y nos muestre el poder de esas oraciones.

Aunque no podemos tocar físicamente a Jesús como la jovencita y la mujer que sufría hemorragias, podemos acercarnos más a Él. A través de la oración y a través de los sacramentos podemos permanecer cerca a Cristo.

Que sigamos creciendo en nuestra relación con Cristo por el bien de nosotros mismos y el bien de los demás.

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Dakota lives in Denver, CO with her husband, Ralph, and their two sons, Alfie & Theophilus. She is the Dean of Enrollment Management for Bishop Machebeuf High School where her husband also teaches. You can find Dakota at the zoo or a brewery with her family or with her nose in a book at home. For more of Dakota’s writing check out https://dakotaleonard16.blogspot.com/

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Practice / La Práctica

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We most closely image God when we are in union with one another. It is together, in the giving and receiving of love, that we image God and give others a glimpse of His great love.

Today the Old Testament gives us also the imagery of Jerusalem as a nursing mother. The Church is the new Jerusalem and Mother Church feeds the world when we, within the Church, share of our very selves. But we cannot share what we don’t have, this is why we must practice our faith. Practice in the same way we use the word when we talk about practicing a skill. I am not saying faith is a skill, but living out our faith is made more fruitful when we stretch our “faith muscles” and that happens with practice.

We practice when we attend Mass, not from a sense of obligation, but from a desire to open ourselves up further to Jesus Christ. We practice when we extend attending Mass, not just on Sunday but as part of our daily lives. We practice when we receive Jesus Christ, not simply as part of a sacred ritual, but so that He is able to transform us. We practice when we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation so we are better prepared to receive God’s graces. We practice when we take time to be alone with God. We practice when we read Scripture and the Church Fathers. We practice when we pray, write, and listen quietly. The more we practice, the more are we are prepared to do His will. 

What’s more, we don’t do these things for our benefit alone. We do them so that like the disciples in today’s Gospel, we are prepared to carry God’s peace and mercy out into the world. We may not perform miracles or cast out demons, but we can lighten another’s load. We can notice those who need our smile or our hand. We can walk alongside those who haven’t yet experienced God’s grace and peace and share what we have received. For those who don’t want that, we shake the dust from our feet and move on so that in all we do we maintain our peace. Then we can rejoice with the original disciples, not because spirits are subject to us, but because our name too will be written in heaven. 

After all, isn’t that our goal, to get to heaven and bring along as many people as possible? Let’s practice for that union now and get a glimpse of heaven here on earth. 

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Hacemos mejor representación de Dios cuando estamos en unión el uno con el otro. Estando juntos, en el dar y recibir amor, reflejamos a Dios y les damos a otros un vistazo de Su gran amor.

Hoy el Antiguo Testamento nos da también la imagen de Jerusalén como madre lactante. La Iglesia es la nueva Jerusalén y la Madre Iglesia alimenta al mundo cuando nosotros, dentro de la Iglesia, compartimos de nosotros mismos. Pero no podemos compartir lo que no tenemos, por eso debemos practicar nuestra fe. Hablo de la práctica de la misma forma cuando hablamos de practicar una habilidad. No estoy diciendo que la fe sea una habilidad, pero vivir nuestra fe se vuelve más fructífero cuando estiramos nuestros “músculos de fe” y eso sucede con la práctica.

Practicamos cuando asistimos a Misa, no por un sentido de obligación, sino por un deseo de abrirnos más a Jesucristo. Practicamos cuando extendemos la asistencia a Misa, no solo los domingos sino como parte de nuestra vida diaria. Practicamos cuando recibimos a Jesucristo, no simplemente como parte de un ritual sagrado, sino para que Él pueda transformarnos. Practicamos cuando recibimos el Sacramento de la Reconciliación para estar mejor preparados para recibir las gracias de Dios. Practicamos cuando tomamos tiempo para estar a solas con Dios. Practicamos cuando leemos las Escrituras y los Padres de la Iglesia. Practicamos cuando oramos, escribimos y escuchamos en silencio. Mientras más practicamos, más preparados estamos para hacer Su voluntad.

Además, no hacemos estas cosas solo para nuestro beneficio. Las hacemos para que, como los discípulos en el Evangelio de hoy, estemos preparados para llevar la paz y la misericordia de Dios al mundo. Puede que no hagamos milagros ni expulsemos demonios, pero podemos aligerar la carga de los demás. Podemos fijarnos en aquellos que necesitan nuestra sonrisa o nuestra mano. Podemos caminar junto a aquellos que aún no han experimentado la gracia y la paz de Dios y compartir lo que hemos recibido. Para los que no quieren eso, nos sacudimos el polvo de los pies y seguimos adelante para que en todo lo que hagamos mantengamos la paz. Entonces podremos regocijarnos con los primeros discípulos, no porque los espíritus estén sujetos a nosotros, sino porque nuestros nombres también estarán escritos en el cielo.

Después de todo, ¿no es ese nuestro objetivo, llegar al cielo y traer a muchas personas con nosotros? Practiquemos para esa unión ahora y echemos un vistazo al cielo aquí en la tierra.

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Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy. 

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Peace / La Paz

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The English language can be so confusing. To speak of peace is not the same as to speak a piece of my mind (or my piece). The words peace/piece are homophones, words that sound the same but have different meanings. Peace is what has been catching my attention when praying and reflecting with today’s readings.

Let me clarify as to why.

The readings from Amos and the Gospel speak of transitions; the restoration of the people and lands of Israel, fasting, a bridegroom and wedding guests, and the patching of cloaks and wineskins. As I read these passages, I am reminded of perseverance, patience during the process and the grace of peace through it all.

The Responsorial Psalm illustrates this:
“The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
 The Lord proclaims peace to his people.
 Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss.

Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.
 The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps.”
These phrases about peace are words of encouragement, grace, hope and strength to continue in all of the facets of my day and in the world. I so easily get caught up in personal drama or issues swirling around me, that I forget that the focus is to be the Lord’s way, not the contention and disharmony that abounds on the earth, throughout every part of creation.

The Lord says: “my sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Jn 10:27

When I read this line I understand it as a directive to speak and do as the Lord would with a newborn, the infirmed, the elderly, the grieving, anyone who is learning (which is everyone, at all times). I am to follow the Shepherd who has justice before him and salvation in his footsteps. I am to be a companion and leader to sow peace, truth and justice in the world and all stages and places of life.

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Amen.

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La paz es lo que me ha estado llamando la atención al orar y reflexionar con las lecturas de hoy.

Permítanme aclarar por qué.

Las lecturas de Amós y el Evangelio hablan de transiciones; la restauración del pueblo y las tierras de Israel, el ayuno, el novio y los invitados a la boda, y el remiendo de mantos y odres. Mientras leo estos pasajes, recuerdo la perseverancia, la paciencia durante el proceso y la gracia de la paz a través de todo.

El Salmo Responsorial ilustra esto:

“El Señor habla de paz a su pueblo.
El Señor proclama la paz a su pueblo.
La bondad y la verdad se encontrarán; la justicia y la paz se besarán.

La verdad brotará de la tierra, y la justicia mirará desde el cielo.
El SEÑOR mismo dará sus beneficios; nuestra tierra dará su producto.
La justicia caminará delante de él, y la salvación, por el camino de sus pasos”.

Estas frases de paz son palabras de aliento, gracia, esperanza y fuerza para continuar en todas las facetas de mi día y del mundo. Me enredo tan fácilmente en el drama personal o en los problemas que me rodean, que olvido que el enfoque debe ser el camino del Señor, no la contención y la falta de armonía que abundan en la tierra, en cada parte de la creación.

El Señor dice: “mis ovejas oyen mi voz; Yo las conozco y ellas me siguen.” Juan 10:27

Cuando leo esta línea la entiendo como una directiva para hablar y hacer lo que el Señor haría con un recién nacido, un enfermo, un anciano, un doliente, cualquiera que esté aprendiendo (es decir todos, en todo momento). Debo seguir al Pastor que tiene la justicia delante de él y la salvación en sus pasos. Debo ser compañero y líder para sembrar la paz, la verdad y la justicia en el mundo y en todas las etapas y lugares de la vida.

Que haya paz en la tierra, y que empiece conmigo. Amén.

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Beth Price is part of the customer care team at Diocesan. She is a Secular Franciscan (OFS) and a practicing spiritual director. Beth shares smiles, prayers, laughter, a listening ear and her heart with all of creation. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.

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Mercy, Not Sacrifice / La Misericordia, No el Sacrificio

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***Introducing a brand new, BILINGUAL Inspiration Daily! ¡Bienvenidos al nuevo Inspiración Diario BILINGUE!***

I have noticed in my time in ministry and as I have been trying to follow Jesus for a while now, that there is a trap laid before the feet of a weathered Christian. When I was younger, I misunderstood this trap. I thought that people used religion as a weapon in order to establish a culture they were comfortable with. Now, I understand a bit more, especially now that I have dealt with these temptations from time to time.

Jesus proclaims to us today, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” After working for years with Jesus to put an end to sin in my life and live a full one, I have begun to experience the temptation of self-righteousness. I feel that I struggle the most with this temptation when my outlook is focused on accomplishments in the spiritual life. It is my experience that my temptation to self-righteousness is rooted in self-reliance. As I have grown, I have taken more pride in being able to provide for my family, and in my accomplishments and goals. 

In other words, my desire for a good life seeps into my view of my spiritual life. By doing this, I sacrifice my mindset that life and every good thing in it is a gift. I forget that my ability to not sin is a gift. It is in my forgetfulness and my desire to protect the ideals I have set for myself that I give myself the freedom to judge, set standards for other people that I do not know, and burn myself out striving for the gift of Heaven which is impossible for a human to earn. Jesus said in Luke 18:27 “What is impossible for man is possible for God.” Jesus tells us in the Gospel acclamation, “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” His invitation to us today is to stop striving to earn heaven, but receive it as a gift from the Father who loves us enough to send His only Son to die for me and you.

Look at how the Pharisees treated those Jesus was trying to heal. They were rude and looked at the tax collectors and prostitutes as if they were insignificant and dirty. Their defensive attitudes of trying to establish themselves as important in God’s eyes brought them to an attitude of judgment and cruel words. I find that it is when I overextend the standards that I have set for myself to others, and compare others to that standard, that I act like a Pharisee. It is my prayer for myself and you that we can seek the living mercy of Jesus and not what makes us feel secure. I would like to challenge you, to reflect and allow the Holy Spirit to gently open your eyes to those who you treat as the Pharisees did the tax collectors and prostitutes and ask for mercy. If you are on the flip side of this and feel that there are many in the Church who judge you, my challenge for you is to lock eyes with Jesus and let Him heal you. Know that it is fear that holds us back from love, but fear will not hold Jesus back from loving you. May Jesus bless us all with clean hearts.

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Me he dado cuenta durante mi tiempo en el ministerio y como he estado tratando de seguir a Jesús por un tiempo, que hay una trampa puesta ante los pies de un cristiano con experiencia. Cuando era más joven, entendí mal esta trampa. Pensé que la gente usaba la religión como un arma para establecer una cultura de comodidad. Ahora entiendo un poco más, especialmente ahora que he lidiado con estas tentaciones de vez en cuando.

Jesús nos proclama hoy: “Id y aprended el significado de las palabras quiero la misericordia, no el sacrificio. No he venido a llamar a justos sino a pecadores”. Después de trabajar con Jesús durante años para poner fin al pecado en mi vida y vivir una vida plena, he comenzado a experimentar la tentación de la justicia propia. Siento que batallo más con esta tentación cuando mi perspectiva se enfoca en los logros en la vida espiritual. Según mi experiencia, mi tentación de fariseísmo tiene sus raíces en la autosuficiencia. A medida que crecía, me enorgullecía más de poder mantener a mi familia y de mis logros y metas.

En otras palabras, mi deseo de una buena vida se filtra en mi visión de mi vida espiritual. Al hacer esto, sacrifico mi mentalidad de que la vida y todo lo bueno que hay en ella es un regalo. Me olvidababa que mi capacidad de no pecar es un regalo. Es en mi olvido y en mi deseo de proteger los ideales que me he fijado que me doy la libertad de juzgar, establecer estándares para otras personas que no conozco y quemarme luchando por el don del Cielo que es imposible que un ser humano gane. Jesús dijo en Lucas 18:27 “Lo que es imposible para el hombre es posible para Dios”. Jesús nos dice en la aclamación del Evangelio: “Venid a mí todos los que estáis trabajados y cargados, y yo os haré descansar”. Su invitación para nosotros hoy es dejar de esforzarnos por ganar el cielo, y recibirlo como un regalo del Padre que nos ama lo suficiente como para enviar a Su único Hijo a morir por mí y por ti.

Mire cómo los fariseos trataban a aquellos que Jesús estaba tratando de sanar. Eran groseros y miraban a los recaudadores de impuestos y prostitutas como si fueran insignificantes y sucios. Sus actitudes defensivas de tratar de establecerse como importantes a los ojos de Dios los llevó a una actitud de juicio y palabras crueles. Me doy cuenta de que es cuando extiendo demasiado las normas que me he fijado a los demás, y comparo a otros con esa norma, que actúo como un fariseo. Es mi oración por mí y por ti que podamos buscar la misericordia viva de Jesús y no lo que nos hace sentir seguros. Me gustaría desafiarte, reflexionar y permitir que el Espíritu Santo te abra suavemente los ojos a aquellos a quienes tratas como los fariseos hacían con los recaudadores de impuestos y las prostitutas y pedir misericordia. Si estás en el otro lado de esto y sientes que hay muchos en la Iglesia que te juzgan, mi desafío para ti es mirar a los ojos a Jesús y dejar que Él te sane. Debes saber que es el miedo lo que nos impide amar, pero el miedo no impedirá que Jesús te ame. Que Jesús nos bendiga a todos con corazones limpios.

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Arthur Richardson is married to his wonderful wife, Gabby Richardson. Most of his work experience is in ministry. He was a retreat missionary in Wisconsin for two years and a youth minister for three years. He is now the Web Project Manager here at Diocesan, and loves it!

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We Are So Important To The Divine Physician

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Today’s Gospel reading is from the beginning of Chapter 9 of the Gospel of Matthew. Let’s take two steps back and get some perspective on where this healing narrative falls in the development of Matthew’s Gospel.

We know that Matthew gives us the beautiful Sermon on the Mount in Chapters 5 and 7 of his Gospel. Beginning in Chapter 8 and carrying through Chapter 9 we are caught up in the love of the heart of the Divine Physician. 

First, he healed a man with leprosy: “If you are willing you can make me clean.” “I am willing, be clean!” Jesus said (cf. vs. 1-2).

Next the Divine Physician heals the servant of the centurion from afar because of the centurion’s great faith (vs. 5-13).

After the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, a great crowd descended on the house begging Jesus to drive out evil spirits and heal the sick. Jesus healed all who came to him. Then he got into a boat with his disciples, and he calmed a great storm. Their hearts were filled with awe. Jesus is Master of the powers of nature, of evil, and of sickness (vs. 14-16, 23-27).

Chapter 8 ends with Jesus healing two men possessed by demons, sending them into a large herd of pigs. Then we are told that the whole village came out to see what was going on and pleaded with him to leave. The joy and awe that has surrounded Jesus’ healing is met here with rejection and expulsion (vs. 28-34),

 So Jesus entered a boat to cross to the other side. 

At this point we come to today’s Gospel in which Jesus forgives a paralytic of his sins and then heals him, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”  The crowds are in awe, but the scribes accuse him of blaspheming. It is becoming more and more clear that we must make a choice regarding Jesus. 

Tomorrow’s Gospel will be the calling of a tax collector, a sinner, Matthew. Tax collectors worked for the foreigners who ruled over the Jews, so this made them traitors. They weren’t paid a wage by the Romans, but were expected to take extra money and keep some for themselves. They were hated and considered sinners. And yet this one sinner “got up and followed” Jesus immediately when he said to him, “Follow me.” We then see Jesus entering into the community of tax collectors and sinners, eating with them, because “the sick” “need a physician” (Mt 9:9-13).

The story of the paralytic should wake us up to the decision we each need to make. Where is it that you need forgiveness? What has paralyzed you? Are your limbs lifeless because you have used them in your own pursuits rather than the will of God? Sin is more than just a failing. In little ways, or in grave, sin distances us from God. Sin makes us spiritually weak. We are so important to God, so dear and precious to the Father, that he sent his Son to heal us. Jesus came to call us out of all that holds us back from giving ourselves completely and in trust to God. The Son of God enters into communion with us, the community of sinners, and he says, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and be healed.” And then he says, “Follow me.”

Where is Jesus today asking you to follow him?

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Sr. Kathryn J. HermesKathryn James Hermes, FSP, is the author of the newly released title: Reclaim Regret: How God Heals Life’s Disappointments, by Pauline Books and Media. An author and spiritual mentor, she offers spiritual accompaniment for the contemporary Christian’s journey towards spiritual growth and inner healing. She is the director of My Sisters, where people can find spiritual accompaniment from the Daughters of St. Paul on their journey. Website: www.touchingthesunrise.com Public Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/srkathrynhermes/ For monthly spiritual journaling guides, weekly podcasts and over 50 conferences and retreat programs join my Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/srkathryn.

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Naming Jesus

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Whole books have been written about the question Jesus posed to His disciples at the start of today’s Gospel, “Who do you say that I am?” It is a question every follower of Jesus has to grapple with at some point in their spiritual journey. Is Jesus just a nice guy who taught some nice things? Is He a prophet who wants you to change some parts of your life if you feel like it? Is He the Savior of the whole world yet your most intimate companion who desires you to commit yourself to him every moment of every day? Our answers to these questions radically affect how we live our lives. 

Something beautiful happens in today’s Gospel between Peter and Jesus. Peter, rightly, names Jesus for who He is – the Christ. The Holy Spirit revealed to Peter Jesus’ true identity. It’s not that Jesus had hidden it, but that it was so profound human hearts could not fully grapple with it. Even to today, we cannot adequately explain with our human understanding how Jesus is fully God and fully human. The Incarnation is a mystery only to be fully beheld in heaven. 

Nonetheless, Peter’s ability to name Jesus as the Christ reveals something critical for all Christians who follow after him. Peter knew who Jesus was – The Lord. Names are of special importance in the Bible and in Jewish culture. To know someone’s name meant to have some claim of ownership or control over it. God gave the animals to Adam to name, to have authority over and to be stewards of. 

When Peter names Jesus, he was entering into this sacred space with Jesus. However, God is not controlled by human beings and certainly does not submit to our authority. So what was happening here? Let’s listen to Dr. Richard Bulzacchelli of the St. Paul Center regarding God’s name. He is speaking about God’s revelation to Moses, but I see how this same lesson applies here because Peter’s confession comes from the Holy Spirit’s revelation. 

“Thus, when God reveals his name to Moses and, through Moses, to Israel, he is voluntarily assuming a posture of vulnerability before them, yet, there is no way they can actually control him or do him harm. He does not need them but only wants them.  His vulnerability is based entirely on his own intention to bless and to love a creature whom he made capable of a free response.  Thus, God is saying that he will answer all who call upon his name, not because he must, not because they have exercised any power over him by invoking his name, but because he now pledges to be their God and to cherish them as his own.  His name is, thus, also a promise.  It means, ‘I am present to you always and everywhere,’ an idea represented in the word ‘Emmanuel,’ or, ‘God-with-us.'”

Jesus, Christ, Emmanuel, God-with-us, is the same friend Peter proclaimed as his Lord. Jesus is waiting for our heartfelt confession of His rightful place in our lives. Will we proclaim Him the Christ of our heart today?

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Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mother. She is blessed to be able to homeschool, bake bread and fold endless piles of laundry. When not planning a school day, writing a blog post or cooking pasta, Kate can be found curled up with a book or working with some kind of fiber craft. Kate blogs at DailyGraces.net.

Feature Image Credit: catholicstudiesacademy.com/on-the-unpronounceability-of-the-divine-name/