Since having children I have felt the Scriptures come alive in entirely new ways. I always found it a little bit difficult to relate to God the Father until I became a father myself. Today’s second reading is one that has taken on a whole new meaning in my life. We are in the thralls of the toddler temper tantrums. Everything in my fallen nature just wants me to be mad about the outbursts, but I believe it is grace that allows me, hopefully, to discipline my son in such a way that actually helps him to thrive.
He may not get this right now, but my dad seemed to have a very similar approach. There were things growing up that I threw absolute fits about, but looking back, I realize that my dad was helping me to grow and wanted me to flourish. I have found myself often getting frustrated and thinking to myself, “Can’t you just see I am trying to help you?” Of course, children can’t really see that yet. They don’t have the full picture of life and are not fully developed. They need a healthy discipline that guides them along the right path and helps them to become the best version of themselves.
The second reading says, “For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” This is the hard part. Compared to God, we are all children. We have all had moments of doing something monumentally stupid. I know God has had his fair share of thoughts thinking why can’t my son see I am trying to help him?
I think this might be why Jesus speaks so much about having the faith of children. They may not understand everything that adults can and they may not see the bigger picture, but when they trust their parents they learn how to live. It is the same with us. I have to take time on a daily basis to put myself in this mind set. I am never done learning from my Heavenly Father and sometimes He needs to lovingly discipline me to get me back on the right track.
I think we can all eat a little piece of humble pie here and realize that God is not here for our failure but rather to give us strength, and like any loving father, He is here to help us grow, mature, and figure out this crazy thing we call life. We just have to trust in Him.
From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!
Desde que tuve hijos, he sentido que las Escrituras cobran vida de maneras completamente nuevas. Siempre me resultó un poco difícil conectar con Dios Padre hasta que me convertí en padre. La segunda lectura de hoy ha cobrado un significado completamente nuevo en mi vida. Estamos en medio de los berrinches de los niños pequeños. Mi naturaleza caída solo quiere que me enoje por sus arrebatos, pero creo que es la gracia la que me permite, con suerte, disciplinar a mi hijo de una manera que realmente lo ayude a crecer.
Puede que él no lo entienda ahora, pero mi papá parecía tener un enfoque muy semejante. Había cosas de niño que me ponían furioso, pero al mirar atrás, me doy cuenta de que mi papá me ayudaba a crecer y quería que creciera. A menudo me he frustrado y pienso: “¿No ves que estoy tratando de ayudarte?” Claro que los niños todavía no pueden verlo. No tienen la visión completa de la vida ni están completamente desarrollados. Necesitan una disciplina sana que los guíe por el buen camino y les ayude a convertirse en la mejor versión de sí mismos.
La segunda lectura dice: “¿Qué hijo hay a quien su padre no disciplina?” Esta es la parte difícil. Comparados con Dios, todos somos niños. Todos hemos tenido momentos en los que hemos cometido alguna estupidez monumental. Sé que Dios ha tenido bastantes pensamientos: “¿Por qué mi hijo no ve que estoy intentando ayudarlo?”
Creo que esta podría ser la razón por la que Jesús habla tanto de tener la fe de los niños. Puede que no entiendan todo lo que los adultos pueden entender y que no vean el panorama general, pero cuando confían en sus padres aprenden a vivir. Nos pasa lo mismo. Tengo que dedicar tiempo a diario a adoptar esta mentalidad. Nunca dejo de aprender de mi Padre Celestial y, a veces, Él necesita disciplinarme con amor para que vuelva al buen camino.
Creo que todos podemos ser humildes y darnos cuenta de que Dios no está aquí para compensar nuestros fracasos, sino para darnos fuerza. Como cualquier padre amoroso, está aquí para ayudarnos a crecer, madurar y comprender esta locura que llamamos la vida. Solo tenemos que confiar en Él.
De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios los bendiga!
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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The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
Former NPS Park Ranger, Catholic educator, and Youth Minister, Melissa Lucca now spends her days evangelizing family and neighbors as a stay-at-home mom. She holds an MA in Theology from the Augustine Institute and pursues personal study in her spare time. Melissa loves Ignatian Spirituality, Mother Mary, and rock climbing. If you don’t hear her and her kiddo laughing at home, then they are probably out on an adventure!
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and eleven 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 
Merridith Frediani loves words and is delighted by good sentences. She also loves Lake Michigan, dahlias, the first sip of hot coffee in the morning, millennials, and playing Sheepshead with her husband and three kids. She writes for Catholic Mom, Diocesan.com, and her local Catholic Herald. Her first book Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman’s Guide to Adoration is available at Our Sunday Visitor and Amazon. You can learn more at 
Mike Karpus is a regular guy. He grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, graduated from Michigan State University and works as an editor. He is married to a Catholic school principal, raised two daughters who became Catholic school teachers at points in their careers, and now relishes his two grandchildren, including the older one who is fascinated with learning about his faith. He also has served on a Catholic school board, a pastoral council and a parish stewardship committee. He currently is a lector at Mass, a Knight of Columbus, Adult Faith Formation Committee member and a board member of the local Habitat for Humanity organization. But mostly he’s a regular guy.
Christine Arata is a San Francisco, California native. She lives a few blocks away from the ocean and a park. She finds nature inspiring. Her cat brings her comfort. She loves being creative not only with her writing but with almost everything, including her home cooking. Her studies in the Catholic faith are ongoing. In 2019, when she discovered St. Hildegard of Bingen was underrepresented by Catholics, she found a purpose. Her latest website, St. Hildegard’s Wisdom features blog posts about all of that: 
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 
Colleen Orchanian is a podcaster, blogger, and spiritual director who desires to help others have a more profound encounter with God. She is the author of three books: Nearer My God to Thee, Times of Grace, and Lingering with God. Her podcast is Food for Thought (Spiritually Speaking). You can learn more at 
Ben Hooper is originally from Maryland, having been adopted from Korea and growing up in the Catholic faith. He went to Franciscan University to dive deeper into his faith and eventually graduated with a degree in Business Management. He loves musical theater, sports, spending time with his wife Lily and their dog Kolbe.
Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed.; M.P.A., is a certified spiritual director, writer, speaker and content creator. The 
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