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Faithful in Small Things / Fiel en lo Pequeño

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“Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share in your master’s joy.” Christ offers this and a few other parables to His Apostles in private to answer some of their questions about the end days. Most of these answers are more on the abstract side, perhaps a little difficult to grasp, but this parable is a bit easier to understand. 

Three men. Three sets of talents. One instruction. The master departs after entrusting his possessions to the three. In human understanding, it is merely coincidental that the word “talent” used here (indicating money or a material measure) is the same as our modern word for “skill set” or “gift.” Then again, in the divine order of life, there is no such thing as coincidence.

God has given gifts to each one of us as natural talents: a disposition to certain virtues, a certain ability or skill, or sometimes, it does indeed mean material goods. It may take time for us to discover some of these gifts, while others are more easily recognizable. You likely have more than one, perhaps even many gifts of different kinds. 

But the question is not “How many were you given?” The man who began with five talents was given the same glad reward as the man who began with ten. No, the question is, what do you do with your talents? Or rather, what have you done? 

Chances are, you already know your gifts. If the Master comes back today and asks how you used the gifts He gave you, what would you tell Him? Would you look Him in the eye and honestly say, “I did all I knew how to do with what You gave me”? Or are there gifts you have hidden out of fear? Fear of loss or discomfort, fear of the unknown, fear of ridicule, fear of loneliness.

“Out of fear, I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is.”

For example, I’ve always loved writing. It is a gift I hope to continuously improve. But for years, I feared showing my writing to others, and that fear kept me from improving. I hid my writing, staying “safe” and comfortable. But He did not make me to be comfortable. Nor you.

Along with every gift is the mission to use it in a way that glorifies Him. Your gift might touch ten people or ten thousand. The number is not what matters. All He asks is that we give as generously as He does. In the evening of this life, you will stand before Him with your life as an open book. What will be in that book? What is the record of all that you did and didn’t do? He did not make us to be fearful or comfortable. He made us to share in His joy, and that begins by giving what He first gave us. 

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“Te felicito, siervo bueno y fiel. Puesto que has sido fiel en cosas de poco valor, te confiaré cosas de mucho valor. Entra a tomar parte en la alegría de tu señor”. Cristo ofrece esta y otras parábolas a sus apóstoles en privado para responder algunas de sus preguntas sobre el fin de los tiempos. La mayoría de estas respuestas son abstractas y difíciles de comprender, pero esta parábola es un poco más fácil de entender.

Tres hombres. Tres conjuntos de talentos. Una sola instrucción. El señor se va después de confiar sus posesiones a los tres. En el entendimiento humano, es mera coincidencia que la palabra “talento” que se utiliza aquí (que indica dinero o una medida material) sea la misma que nuestra palabra moderna para “habilidad” o “don”. Sin embargo, en el orden divino de la vida, no existe la coincidencia.

Dios nos ha dado dones a cada uno como talentos naturales: una disposición a ciertas virtudes, una cierta habilidad o destreza, o, a veces, incluso bienes materiales. Puede que nos lleve tiempo descubrir algunos de estos dones, mientras que otros sean más fáciles de reconocer. Probablemente tengas más de uno, quizás incluso muchos dones de diferentes tipos.

Pero la pregunta no es: “¿cuántos te dieron?” – el hombre que empezó con cinco talentos recibió la misma recompensa que el que empezó con diez – sino la pregunta es: ¿qué haces con tus talentos? O mejor dicho, ¿qué has hecho?

Probablemente ya conoces tus dones. Si el Maestro volviera hoy y te preguntara cómo usaste los dones que te dio, ¿qué le dirías? ¿Lo mirarías a los ojos y le dirías honestamente: “Hice todo lo que pude con lo que me diste”? ¿O hay dones que has ocultado por miedo? Miedo a la pérdida o a la incomodidad, miedo a lo desconocido, miedo al ridículo, miedo a la soledad.

“[T]uve miedo y fui a esconder tu talento bajo tierra. Aquí tienes lo tuyo”.

Por ejemplo, siempre me ha gustado escribir. Es un don que espero mejorar continuamente. Pero durante años, temí mostrar mis escritos a otros, y ese miedo me impidió mejorar. Escondí mis escritos, manteniéndome “segura” y cómoda. Pero Él no me creó para estar cómoda. Ni a ti tampoco.

Junto con cada don está la misión de utilizarlo de una forma que glorifique a Dios. Tu don podría tocar a diez personas o a diez mil. El número no es lo que importa. Solo pide que demos tan generosamente como Él lo hace. Al atardecer de esta vida, estarás ante Él con tu vida como un libro abierto. ¿Qué habrá en ese libro? ¿Cuál es el registro de todo lo que hiciste y lo que no hiciste? Él no nos creó para ser temerosos ni cómodos. Nos creó para compartir su alegría, y eso comienza con dar lo que Él nos ha dado primero.

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Hailing from Nashville, Catherine is a graduate of Christendom College with a lifelong passion for words. Her love of writing and her Catholic Faith continue to shape her as a freelance editor, copywriter, and (aspiring) novelist, where she pursues her passions for the love and greater glory of God.

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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.

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God Will Prepare You / Dios te preparará

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What seems like a lifetime ago, 28 years to this day, I gave my life to God as a consecrated laywoman.  What I thought was a forever vocation, turned out not to be, and upon returning home I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself. “I should have known it was a bad omen to be consecrated on a day we celebrate someone getting beheaded.” 

Yet God writes straight with crooked lines. That which was not meant last still helped my soul to grow and flourish in ways I could have never imagined. It also allowed me to learn Spanish, which has been a blessing in both my vocation to marriage and as the sole breadwinner for our family. Although I couldn’t see it at the time, God was laying the foundation for my life. He was planting seeds and preparing me for what was to come. 

I’m sure God prepared John the Baptist for what was to come as well. As he lay in prison, I can imagine him spending much time on his knees on the cold stone floor. I can picture him begging God to forgive those who refused to accept His Son Jesus and have mercy on their souls. I wonder if God revealed to him that he would soon die. Maybe he even had a vision, like St. Stephen did. Whatever he experienced, I don’t think it was a surprise to him when the executioners showed up at his cell. 

In the first reading, St. Paul was trying to prepare the Thesselonians as well, adverting them to refrain from immorality and to conduct themselves in a way pleasing to God. They had been given instructions from Jesus Himself, and knew how to live a virtuous life, yet it seems they had deviated from the straight and narrow path. He reminded them that God gives us His Holy Spirit to show us how to behave in the face of temptation. And that is no small gift.

God breathes life into our souls, showing us the way to go and helping us endure the hardships the path will surely bring. Whether it be for a future vocation, a life-long suffering, or death itself, God sends His Holy Spirit to prepare us. As the psalmist writes, “he guards the life of his faithful ones; from the hand of the wicked he delivers them.”  May you allow God to prepare you for whatever is to come in your life. 

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Parece que fue hace una vida entera, hace 28 años, cuando en este día entregué mi vida a Dios como laica consagrada. Lo que pensé que sería una vocación para siempre resultó no serlo, y al regresar a casa no pude evitar reírme. “Debería haber sabido que era mala señal consagrarme el día en que celebramos la decapitación de alguien”.

Sin embargo, Dios escribe recto con líneas torcidas. Lo que no estaba destinado a durar, aún así, ayudó a mi alma a crecer y florecer de maneras que jamás imaginé. También me permitió aprender español, lo cual ha sido una bendición tanto en mi vocación matrimonial como en mi rol como único sostén de la familia. Aunque no lo viera en ese momento, Dios estaba poniendo los cimientos de mi vida. Estaba sembrando semillas y preparándome para lo que venía.

Estoy segura de que Dios también preparó a Juan el Bautista para lo que vendría. Mientras estuvo encarcelado, puedo imaginarlo pasando mucho tiempo de rodillas sobre el frío suelo de piedra. Me lo imagino suplicándole a Dios que perdonara a los que aún no aceptaban a su Hijo Jesús y que tuviera misericordia de sus almas. Me pregunto si Dios le reveló que pronto moriría. Quizás incluso tuvo una visión, como San Esteban. Sea lo que sea que experimentó, no creo que le sorprendiera que los verdugos se presentaran en su celda.

En la primera lectura, San Pablo también intentaba preparar a los tesalonicenses, aconsejándoles que se abstuvieran de la inmoralidad y se comportaran de una manera agradable a Dios. Habían recibido instrucciones del mismo Jesús y sabían cómo vivir una vida virtuosa; sin embargo, parece que se habían desviado del camino correcto. Les recordó que Dios nos da su Espíritu Santo para mostrarnos cómo comportarnos ante la tentación. Y ese no es un regalo pequeño.

Dios infunde vida en nuestras almas, mostrándonos el camino a seguir y ayudándonos a soportar las dificultades que seguramente vendrán. Ya sea para una futura vocación, un sufrimiento de por vida o la muerte misma, Dios envía a su Espíritu Santo para prepararnos. Como escribe el salmista: “protege la vida de sus fieles y los libra de los malvados”. Que Dios te prepare para lo que venga en tu vida.

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Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adulthood she was a missionary in Mexico, where she studied theology and philosophy. After returning stateside bilingual, she gained a variety of work experience, traveled extensively and finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Brescia University. She loves organizing and simplifying things, watching her children play sports, deep conversations with close family and friends and finding unique ways to brighten others’ day with Christ’s love. She works full time at Diocesan in the Software Department and manages the Inspiration Daily reflections. She is also a contributing writer on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net.

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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.

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Spiritually Attentive / Espiritualmente Atento

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I am writing this reflection from a pilgrimage in Rome for this Jubilee Year of Hope. I have spent the past few days praying in churches, walking in the footsteps of saints and martyrs, and uniting in faith and friendship with my small pilgrimage group. As I prepare to return home, I feel more aware of God’s presence in my life and hope to carry that awareness and desire for closeness back to my everyday activities.  

One thing that I have most enjoyed in Rome is stopping in to pray at lesser known churches. These are holy places that scads of people bustle by without noticing. Today I came upon a tiny chapel dedicated to Saint Barbara. The art was stunning, and the Church still smelled like incense from recent activity. As the wife of an Army field artillery officer, I marveled that of all the churches I could wander into, I encountered Saint Barbara, because she is the patroness of the artillery. Standing alone in Saint Barbara’s felt like a special grace. I took some time to offer prayers for my husband and all who serve in the artillery. 

As I exited the church, I watched people and buses funnel past and wondered how often I miss miraculous things, like unassuming chapels, because I am not paying attention? How often do I miss an opportunity to see God in another person because I am too busy passing by? Too often. 

Making a pilgrimage invites us to slow down, pay attention, and allow ourselves to be alert to God’s presence all around us. God is present all the time, but in the busyness of life, it can become too easy not to notice. Pilgrimage is not so much about the place but becoming spiritually attentive. 

Jesus offers a relatable image in today’s Gospel of a master of a house and a thief to show us why it is important to stay awake – to prepare for the Lord. If the master knew when the thief would arrive, he would have been prepared. But if the master of the house is not paying attention, he will be robbed.

Jesus reminds us that we do not know the day or the hour of His coming, so we must stay awake – not with fear or anxiety, but with purpose, anticipation, love, and attention. We must live our lives daily in anticipation of our ultimate goal, which is union with God.

During the Jubilee Year of Hope, consider making a pilgrimage. Find a nearby shrine or church and go there to attend a Mass, seek out confession, spend time in a Marian garden. Perhaps you can pass through holy doors. I hope that if you carve out this time for pilgrimage your spirit will be altered to God’s profound love for you and the ways that he beckons you to Himself.

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Estoy escribiendo esta reflexión desde una peregrinación a Roma para este Año Jubilar de la Esperanza. He pasado los últimos días rezando en iglesias, siguiendo los pasos de los santos y mártires, y uniéndome en la fe y la amistad con mi pequeño grupo de peregrinos. Al prepararme para regresar a casa, siento una mayor consciencia de la presencia de Dios en mi vida y espero llevar esa consciencia y ese deseo de cercanía a mis actividades cotidianas.

Una de las cosas que más he disfrutado en Roma es detenerme a rezar en iglesias menos conocidas. Son lugares sagrados por los que pasa muchísima gente sin darse cuenta. Hoy  encontré una pequeña capilla dedicada a Santa Bárbara. El arte era impresionante, y la iglesia aún olía a incienso por una actividad reciente. Como esposa de un oficial de artillería de campaña del Ejército, me maravilló que, de todas las iglesias por las que podía pasear, me encontrara con Santa Bárbara, porque es la patrona de la artillería. Estar sola en la capilla de Santa Bárbara me pareció una gracia especial. Me tomé un tiempo para rezar por mi esposo y todos los que sirven en la artillería.

Al salir de la capilla, observé cómo la gente y los autobuses pasaban y me pregunté cuántas veces pierdo cosas milagrosas, como capillas sencillas, por no prestar atención. ¿Cuántas veces pierdo la oportunidad de ver a Dios en otra persona por estar tan ocupada que la paso de largo? Demasiado frecuentemente.

Peregrinar nos invita a reducir la velocidad, prestar atención y permitirnos estar atentos a la presencia de Dios que nos rodea. Dios está presente todo el tiempo, pero en el ajetreo de la vida, puede resultar demasiado fácil no notarlo. Peregrinar no se trata tanto del lugar, sino de estar espiritualmente atento.

Jesús ofrece una imagen con la que nos podemos identificar en el Evangelio de hoy: un padre de familia y un ladrón, para mostrarnos por qué es importante estar despiertos: prepararnos para el Señor. Si el padre supiera cuándo llegaría el ladrón, habría estado preparado. Pero si no presta atención, será robado. Jesús nos recuerda que no conocemos el día ni la hora de su venida, por lo que debemos permanecer despiertos, no con miedo ni ansiedad, sino con propósito, anticipación, amor y atención. Debemos vivir nuestra vida diaria anticipando nuestra meta final, que es la unión con Dios.

Durante el Año Jubilar de la Esperanza, considera hacer una peregrinación. Busca un santuario o iglesia cercana y anda allí para asistir a una misa, confesarse, pasar tiempo en un jardín mariano. Quizás puedas cruzar unas puertas santas. Espero que si dedicas este tiempo a la peregrinación, tu espíritu se transforme al profundo amor de Dios por ti y a las formas en que él te atrae hacia sí mismo.

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Elizabeth Tomlin is the author of Joyful Momentum: Building and Sustaining Vibrant Women’s Groups and contributing author to the Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers. She is General Counsel for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Elizabeth is an Army wife and mother of three and currently lives in Oklahoma. You can find her at @elizabethannetomlin on social media and she blogs at JoyfulMomentum.org 

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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.

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Looking for Someone to Blame / Buscando Culpables

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When certain things happen in our lives due to decisions we’ve made in the past, we must always accept the consequences of our actions. For some reason, we tend to avoid responsibility by blaming others for our misfortune, but when everything goes our way, suddenly we’re superheroes. I imagine that Saint Monica, whose feast day we celebrate today, could have looked for someone to blame for many things in her life: her husband’s lack of faith, the behavior of a rebellious son, and having a hard life, but she chose to turn to God in prayer, day after day, year after year.

From the time I was a child, I have experienced many difficult situations in my life, like the untimely deaths of my grandmother and my aunt, whom I turned to when I had problems at home. In the end, I learned to lean on God every day, and continue to do so even now. When I began to experience different illnesses, I always trusted that God’s will be done, knowing that doctors do their best but cannot always cure every ailment. The person who gave me life on earth blamed herself for my misfortunes thinking that perhaps they were caused by lack of better medical care as a child. But the reality is, I don’t go around looking for someone to blame for my ailments, but rather, I seek solutions to be better for my wife and children.

Being a Christian means accepting God’s will, no matter what situation you’re in. I never sought out back pain, depression, and hearing loss because they weren’t the consequences of any of my own decisions. I also never ask myself, “Why do these things happen to me?” I just accepted them as part of my life from a very early age. I often joke around with God, and one day it occurred to me to say, “I have more nails than You, Jesus, because You were crucified with three nails, but I have eight screws and two rods in my back.”

It may sound easier to blame God and distance ourselves from Him, but that doesn’t make sense because God is love. All suffering has a purpose, even though we may not realize it at first.  Maybe it’s because He wants us to go directly to heaven or to offer up our pain as a sacrifice for someone special or for this pagan world. 

We shouldn’t blame anyone, but rather assume the responsibilities that we have the best we can with God’s help. We can pray to Him with the words of today’s Psalm, “Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence where can I flee?…your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast,” thus breaking down the barriers that prevent us from drawing closer to Him. 

God is the One who understands you best, even if He doesn’t respond immediately (because He keeps pretty busy), at some point the answer will come to your heart. It’s not about feeling or seeing, but believing. Assume the responsibility of having God in your life. He will not let you down, no matter what happens. You will be the only one to blame if you don’t try.

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Cuando suceden ciertos sucesos en nuestras vidas por decisiones que uno ha hecho en el pasado, siempre hay que aceptar las consecuencias de los actos. Por algún motivo tendemos a esquivar la responsabilidad culpando a otros de nuestra desgracia, y luego cuando todo sale a nuestro favor somos los superhéroes. Me imagino que Santa Mónica, cuya fiesta celebramos hoy, pudo haber buscado culpables para muchas cosas en su vida: la falta de fe de su esposo, el comportamiento de su hijo rebelde, y por tener una vida dura, pero escogió volver a Dios en la oración, día tras día, año tras año. 

Desde que era chico me pasaron situaciones difíciles, como el fallecimiento de mi abuela y mi tía en quienes me apoyaba cuando tenía problemas en casa. Al final terminé apoyándome en Dios todos los días hasta la actualidad. Luego cuando empezaron a surgir las enfermedades siempre confié en Dios que haga su voluntad, porque los doctores hacen lo mejor posible pero no siempre pueden curar a uno. La persona que me dio la vida en la tierra se culpaba de mis sucesos pensando que seguro pasaron por no chequearme mejor en el doctor cuando era niño. Pero la realidad es que no ando buscando culpables de lo que me pasa en las enfermedades sino más bien busco encontrar soluciones para estar mejor para mi esposa e hijos. 

Ser cristiano significa aceptar la voluntad de Dios, en cualquier situación que uno esté. Nunca busqué dolores de espalda, depresión, y baja audición porque no fueron consecuencias de alguna decisión mía. Tampoco llegué a preguntarme, ¿por qué a mí me suceden estas cosas? Solo lo fui aceptando como parte de mi vida desde muy temprana edad. Bromeo muchas veces con Dios y un día se me ocurrió decirle, “tengo mas clavos que Jesus, porque a ti te crucificaron con tres clavos mientras yo tengo 8 tornillos en mi columna más dos barras”.

Puede parecer más fácil culpar a Dios y alejarte de Él, pero no tiene sentido porque Dios es amor. El sufrimiento tiene algún fin, de repente no nos damos cuenta en un principio, pero seguro Dios quiere que vayamos al cielo directamente, o podemos ofrecer nuestros dolores como algún sacrificio para alguien especial o para este mundo pagano.

No hay que culpar a nadie sino más bien asumir las responsabilidades que nos tocan vivir de la mejor forma con Dios. Más bien, podemos rogarle, como dice en el Salmo Responsorial de hoy, “Condúcenos, Señor, por tu camino”, así rompiendo las barreras para acércanos a Él. 

Dios es el único que te entenderá mejor, aunque no responda inmediatamente (porque siempre para ocupado), pero en algún momento va a llegar esa respuesta en tu corazón. No todo es sentir o ver, sino más bien es creer. Asume esa responsabilidad de tener a Dios en tu vida. No te va a defraudar, pase lo que pase. La culpa es tuya si no lo intentas. 

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Felix Urcia was born in Lima, Peru. He moved the U.S. to complete his college degree in Computer Science at Northern Kentucky University. He is passionate about his faith, his family, education and soccer. When he is not homeschooling and caring for his young children he enjoys personal programing projects and sports analysis. He and wife live in a small town in Western Michigan where they enjoy spending time with their five children.

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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.

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Giving Our Gifts / Dando nuestros dones

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Growing up, my parents always made sure that my siblings and I gave 10% of any money that we earned to the Church or a charity of our choice to teach us the importance of giving alms. They also taught us the importance of not only giving monetarily, but also our time and talent as well. All of us kids at one point or another were choir members, lectors, altar servers, ministers of Holy Communion, etc. 

Of all the ways we were encouraged to participate as part of the Church, one of the most fundamental lessons I ever learned from my parents was: doing these things is fundamentally good, but can lose its goodness if you are only concerned about appearing righteous. “Cleaning the outside of the dish”, presenting yourself as a “do-gooder” and earning the praise of others with no regard of how God wants to use your gifts (whether monetary, time or talent) only feeds self-indulgence. 

When I was in college, I was asked to lead praise and worship once and I turned it down because I never wanted to be in the spotlight. I didn’t want to risk being tempted by pride and letting whatever praise I was offering be tainted by my imperfection. However, the Gospel today offers us comfort, teaching us that when we focus on virtue that is between ourself and God, goodness cannot help but follow us in all aspects of our lives. I realized that rejecting an opportunity for God to work through our gifts may be a bigger sin than offering our gifts, despite the possibility of temptation. 

God grants us gifts so that we can offer them back to Him in a spirit of thanksgiving and worship. He is fully aware that we are imperfect. And while at times we may still crave recognition and praise when we serve the body of Christ, God knows our intentions and our hearts. He will never let the gifts He gives us be tainted as long as we remain pure of heart. Our gifts will always be a blessing. 

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De niños, mis padres siempre se aseguraron de que mis hermanos y yo donáramos el 10% de nuestras ganancias a la Iglesia o a una organización benéfica que escogimos para enseñarnos la importancia de dar limosna. También nos enseñaron la importancia de dar no solo dinero, sino también nuestro tiempo y talentos. Todos mis hermanos y yo en algún momento fuimos miembros del coro, lectores, monaguillos, ministros de la Sagrada Comunión, etc.

De todas las maneras en que nos animaron a participar en la Iglesia, una de las lecciones más fundamentales que aprendí de mis padres fue: hacer estas cosas es fundamentalmente bueno, pero puede perder su bondad si solo te preocupas por parecer justo. “Limpiar el exterior del plato”, presentarse como un “bienhechor” y ganarse la alabanza de los demás sin importar cómo Dios quiere utilizar tus dones (ya sean monetarios, de tiempo o de talento) solo alimenta la autocomplacencia.

Cuando estaba en la universidad, una vez me pidieron que dirigiera la música, y dije que no porque no quería ser el centro de atención. No quería arriesgarme a caer en la tentación del orgullo y dejar que cualquier alabanza que ofreciera se viera contaminada por mi imperfección. Sin embargo, el Evangelio de hoy nos consuela, enseñándonos que cuando nos centramos en la virtud que reside entre nosotros y Dios, la bondad nos acompaña en todos los aspectos de nuestra vida. Comprendí que rechazar la oportunidad de que Dios obre a través de nuestros dones puede ser un pecado mayor que ofrecerlos, a pesar de la posibilidad de la tentación.

Dios nos concede dones para que se los devolvamos con un espíritu de agradecimiento y adoración. Él es plenamente consciente de nuestra imperfección. Y aunque a veces anhelemos reconocimiento y alabanza al servir al cuerpo de Cristo, Dios conoce nuestras intenciones y nuestros corazones. Nunca permitirá que los dones que nos da se manchen mientras mantengamos un corazón puro. Nuestros dones siempre serán una bendición.

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Lily is a Michigan native and cradle Catholic who has spent most of her life exploring her own reasons to embrace her faith fully. She attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she discovered the beauty of her personal relationship with Christ and the Church. After college, she worked in Montessori Education for three years and recently transitioned to nannying. She was recently married and spends most of her time reading, and enjoying her dog and family!

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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.

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Sorrow or Joy? / ¿Tristeza o alegría?

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“Woe to you.” Those words are hard to hear under the best of circumstances, but imagine hearing them from the man people are calling the Son of God. The scribes and Pharisees are the clear antagonists in the story of the Gospels; they are the ones, after all, who would seek to have Jesus arrested and executed. We can sit from our centuries-later vantage point and boo the bad guys who got it so wrong. A better idea though, is to take a moment to consider if their story is also ours.

The officials of Jesus’ time believed they were doing the right thing. They thought Jesus was a blasphemer, a dangerous fake who was leading the people astray. They knew the Word of God. They knew the law, and they believed the Messiah would come. So why didn’t they recognize Him? Perhaps what they had to lose had become greater than what they had to gain.

For so many who encountered God-made-flesh, the arrival of the Messiah was a very welcome step up out of their brokenness. The poor, the sick, and the lost were fed, healed and found. For the scribes and Pharisees, though, accepting this Messiah was a humbling step down from their authority. 

If Jesus was who He said He was, then the scribes and Pharisees saw their power and influence falling away. These men had had the authority of God to guide His people, but in the wake of that privilege, they had become arrogant and lost their way. Slowly, subtly, left had become right, and up had become down. Swayed by their delight in their own holiness and superiority, the scribes and Pharisees had become blind to truth and susceptible to lies. Because of that distraction, the long-promised Savior had come, and they couldn’t see Him. 

If Jesus came back today, could we?

Like the scribes and Pharisees, we know in our heads that the Messiah is coming. We proclaim it every Sunday: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his Kingdom will have no end.” But do our hearts really believe that it could be today?

Jesus will come again. He will — maybe 2,000 years from now, maybe 20 minutes after you read this, but He is coming. If it is today, will we have the humility to receive Him? Let us pray that we will.

When Jesus comes again, may we be ready. May we have eyes that see Him, ears that hear Him, and hearts that know Him, as we fall to our knees like Thomas himself, saying, “My Lord, and my God.” Then, rather than “woe to you” at his coming, we may hear “joy to you!”

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“¡Ay de ustedes!” Esas palabras son difíciles de escuchar incluso en las mejores circunstancias, pero imagínense oírlas del hombre al que la gente llama Hijo de Dios. Los escribas y fariseos son los claros antagonistas en la historia de los Evangelios; después de todo, ellos son quienes querían que Jesús fuera arrestado y ejecutado. Podemos sentarnos desde nuestra perspectiva, siglos después, y abuchear a los malvados que se equivocaron tanto. Sin embargo, es mejor pensar si su historia es también la nuestra.

Los funcionarios de la época de Jesús creían que hacían lo correcto. Pensaban que Jesús era un blasfemo, un impostor peligroso que estaba extraviando al pueblo. Conocían la Palabra de Dios. Conocían la ley y creían que el Mesías vendría. Entonces, ¿por qué no lo reconocieron? Quizás lo que tenían que perder se había vuelto mayor que lo que tenían que ganar.

Para muchos que se encontraron con Dios encarnado, la llegada del Mesías fue un grato paso adelante para salir de su quebrantamiento. Los pobres, los enfermos y los perdidos fueron alimentados, sanados y encontrados. Sin embargo, para los escribas y fariseos, aceptar a este Mesías fue un humillante paso atrás en cuanto a su autoridad.

Si Jesús era quien decía ser, entonces los escribas y fariseos vieron cómo su poder e influencia se desvanecían. Estos hombres habían tenido la autoridad de Dios para guiar a su pueblo, pero a raíz de ese privilegio, se habían vuelto arrogantes y se habían extraviado. Lenta y sutilmente, la izquierda se había convertido en derecha, y lo alto en bajo. Influenciados por el deleite en su propia santidad y superioridad, los escribas y fariseos se habían vuelto ciegos a la verdad y susceptibles a las mentiras. Debido a esa distracción, el Salvador prometido había llegado, y no podían verlo.

Si Jesús regresara hoy, ¿podríamos verlo nosotros?

Al igual que los escribas y fariseos, sabemos en nuestra mente que el Mesías viene. Lo proclamamos cada domingo: “De nuevo vendrá con gloria para juzgar a vivos y muertos, y su reino no tendrá fin”. Pero ¿creemos realmente en nuestro corazón que podría ser hoy?

Jesús volverá. Es un hecho—quizás dentro de 2000 años, quizás 20 minutos después de leer esta reflexión—, pero volverá. Si es hoy, ¿tendremos la humildad de recibirlo? Le pedimos a Dios que así sea.

Cuando Jesús regrese, que estemos preparados. Que tengamos ojos que lo vean, oídos que lo escuchen y corazones que lo conozcan, al caer de rodillas como el mismo Tomás, diciendo: “¡Señor mío y Dios mío!”. Entonces, en lugar de “¡Ay de ustedes!” a su venida, podremos oír “¡Alégrense!”

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Pamela Kavanaugh is a grateful wife, mother, and grandmother who has dedicated her professional life to Catholic education. Though she has done her very best to teach her students well in the subjects of language and religion, she knows that she has learned more than she has taught. She lives, teaches, and writes in southwest suburban Chicago.

Feature Image Credit: James Tissot, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/curses-against-the-pharisees-1346/

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.

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Fatherly Discipline / La disciplina paternal

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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!

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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!

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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.”

Feature Image Credit: Derek Thomson, unsplash.com/photos/man-holding-girl-heading-towards-sea-M1jCmRxO7cY

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.

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For God Alone / Para Dios únicamente

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I remember being so excited to look up my birthday saint when I was in junior high. I learned about feast days and heard others talk about their special saint days. That made me want a “really cool” or “big-time” saint. It is embarrassing to admit, but I was a little disappointed when I read the story of my birthday saint whom we honor today, St. Rose of Lima. 

Honestly, her story angered and repulsed me. I judged her wrongly as so many others in her life did. I was mad at her for disfiguring her beautiful face and jealous of her beauty which attracted several suitors. My first thought was, “It’s easy for the pretty girls to deny their beauty. They don’t know the suffering that comes from being ugly.” How harsh. 

It came from deeply rooted wounds that she forced me to acknowledge. One day during study hall a kid blurted out, “Your forehead is disgusting.” I had terrible acne and still bear the scars. Throughout my childhood I felt like the ugly one in the family based on what family members and others would say. That comment only reinforced what I already felt.  

With that backstory, I couldn’t understand why a young woman would willingly destroy her beauty. Not until I understood what it meant to be beautiful for God alone did I understand St. Rose of Lima. She is the hero of the day, giving witness to today’s Gospel, the one who chose to be humble before men so as to be exalted by God. 

I’m not suggesting we all run out and cut off our hair and rub pepper on our faces as she did, but what would it mean for us to take Jesus at his word? In today’s culture, a prevalent spiritual ailment is the need to do because we can’t be and we can’t be because we are unknowingly trying to prove our worth to God. 

St. Rose was confident as God’s beloved, which is why she had the desire to love Him more than herself or others’ opinions. Maybe, just maybe, God is calling you to humble yourself interiorly, to accept your place in His Kingdom, and let that be enough. There’s no need to prove anything. St. Rose of Lima is a pretty cool saint after all. 

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Recuerdo la emoción que sentía al buscar el santo que celebramos en mi fecha de nacimiento cuando estaba en la secundaria. Aprendí sobre las memorias de los santos y escuché a otros hablar de sus santos especiales. Eso me hizo querer un santo “super genial” o bien conocido. Me da vergüenza admitirlo, pero me decepcioné un poco al leer la historia de mi santa, a quien honramos hoy, Santa Rosa de Lima.

La verdad es que su historia me enfureció y me repugnaba. La juzgué mal, como tantos otros en su vida. Estaba furiosa con ella por desfigurar su hermoso rostro y celosa de su belleza, que atrajo a varios pretendientes. Mi primer pensamiento fue: “Es fácil para las chicas guapas negar su belleza. No saben el sufrimiento que conlleva ser fea”. ¡Qué cruel fui!

Provenía de heridas profundas que ella me obligó a reconocer. Un día, durante la clase, un chico me dijo en voz alta: “Tienes la frente asquerosa”. Tenía un acné terrible y hasta el día de hoy sigo con las cicatrices. Durante mi infancia, me sentí como la fea de la familia, según lo que decían mis familiares y otras personas. Ese comentario solo reforzó lo que ya sentía.

Con esa historia, no podía entender por qué una joven destruiría voluntariamente su belleza. No fue hasta que comprendí lo que significaba ser bella solo para Dios que comprendí a Santa Rosa de Lima. Ella es la heroína del día, dando testimonio al Evangelio de hoy, la que eligió ser humilde ante los hombres para ser exaltada por Dios.

No sugiero que todos salgamos corriendo a cortarnos el pelo y a frotar la cara con pimienta como hizo ella, pero ¿qué significaría para nosotros creerle a Jesús al pie de la letra? En la cultura actual, una enfermedad espiritual prevalente es la necesidad de hacer porque no podemos ser, y no podemos ser porque, sin darnos cuenta, estamos intentando demostrarle nuestro valor a Dios.

Santa Rosa tenía confianza en ser amada de Dios, por eso anhelaba amarlo más que a sí misma o a las opiniones de los demás. Quizás, solo quizás, Dios te esté llamando a humillarte interiormente, a aceptar tu lugar en su Reino, y que eso te baste. No hay necesidad de demostrarle nada. Después de todo, Santa Rosa de Lima es una santa genial.

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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!

Feature Image Credit: Public Domain, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_of_Lima

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.

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Love / El amor

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Jesus is always being “tested” by the Pharisees and Sadducees, those who lead the Jewish people, but not always with pure intentions. In the Gospel today, Jesus is asked by “a scholar of the law” which commandment is the greatest. In two sentences, Jesus surpasses this “test” and sums up the entire program of our life.

The first part of Jesus’ answer would not have been a surprise to the Pharisees. Jesus was quoting the Sh’ma, the words from Deuteronomy which were well known to all Jews and which the Rabbis all agreed was the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (or strength).” But then Jesus connects this to a “second commandment,” linking love for God with love for neighbor: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

It was in this second part that the Pharisees often fell short, failing to have true charity for others. But, of course, if we truly love God as we should, we also love others because God loves them! Love is the foundation of all, because we come from Love, we are returning to Love, and Love is rescuing us every step of the way; and unless we let go of ourselves and our selfwardness in order to love God and others, we are not truly walking with the One Who is Love.

Today is the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary, the one who, conceived without Original Sin, loved purely and perfectly. This young virgin understood her littleness before God and opened herself fully to the plans of Love. It was only because she loved the Lord her God with all her heart and soul and strength that she was able to say “Fiat” to the plans of Love, in the name of all humanity, in complete trust, and conceive within her womb Love Incarnate. And at the end of her earthly life, she was crowned by Love as Queen of all created things. If we love God and love our neighbor, we love our Mother Mary too.

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Jesús siempre está puesto a prueba por los fariseos y saduceos, quienes guían al pueblo judío, pero no siempre con buenas intenciones. En el Evangelio de hoy, “un doctor de la ley” le pregunta a Jesús cuál mandamiento es el más importante. En dos frases, Jesús supera esta prueba y resume todo el programa de la vida.

La primera parte de la respuesta de Jesús no habría sorprendido a los fariseos. Jesús estaba citando el Shemá, las palabras del Deuteronomio, bien conocidas por todos los judíos y que los rabinos coincidían en que era el mandamiento más importante: “Amarás al Señor, tu Dios, con todo tu corazón, con toda tu alma y con toda tu mente” (o fuerzas). Pero luego Jesús conecta esto con un “segundo mandamiento”, que vincula el amor a Dios con el amor al prójimo: “Amarás a tu prójimo como a ti mismo”.

Fue en esta segunda parte donde los fariseos a menudo fallaron, al no tener verdadera caridad hacia los demás. Pero, por supuesto, si verdaderamente amamos a Dios como debemos, ¡también amamos a los demás porque Dios los ama! El amor es el fundamento de todo, porque venimos del Amor, vamos a volver al Amor, y el Amor nos rescata en cada paso del camino; y a menos que nos dejemos de nosotros mismos y de nuestra egocentrismo para amar a Dios y a los demás, no estaremos verdaderamente caminando con Aquel que es Amor.

Hoy es la Memoria de Nuestra Señora María Reina, quien, concebida sin Pecado Original, amó pura y perfectamente. Esta joven virgen comprendió su pequeñez ante Dios y se abrió plenamente a los designios del Amor. Solo porque amó al Señor su Dios con todo su corazón, alma y fuerzas, pudo decir “Fiat” a los designios del Amor, en nombre de toda la humanidad, con plena confianza, y concebir en su seno al Amor Encarnado. Y al final de su vida terrenal, fue coronada por el Amor como Reina de todo lo creado. Si amamos a Dios y al prójimo, amamos también a nuestra Madre María.

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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 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 www.KathrynTherese.com

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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.

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Invited to the Feast / Invitados al banquete

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I wonder how God feels about salvation history. He, like the king in today’s Gospel, has invited many people to a glorious banquet, a celebration. He worked hard to prepare it. I know how I feel when I put extra effort into an event. In inviting people to our home for a meal, we are offering not just food, but part of ourselves. God does the same. He invites us to share in the heavenly banquet and eternity with Him. And many do not come, or make light of the invitation, or worse, kill the servant. How must God feel about this? We know He is a loving, merciful God but that He has also been angry at times, so does it follow that He also feels sad at the rejection of His invitation?

This reading often makes me feel sad for Him. The king killed the calves, readied the oxen and the dinner, and was rejected by his first invited guests and forced to invite everyone who was willing to come to the feast. 

I know how I’ve felt when I’ve experienced rejection, so I feel sad for God. I also feel sad for those who have rejected His invitation to communion with Him through the Holy Mass and the  sacraments. Being close to God and encountering Him in this way has brought me much joy and I want others to feel the same – especially family and friends. Not everyone does though, and while I know I can only invite and I can’t change hearts, my own heart still feels sad for those who have opted not to follow God. 

I’m glad the decision of whether they attend the heavenly banquet or get thrown out is determined by God. He knows our hearts. And that makes me happy.

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Me pregunto cómo se ha de sentir Dios ante la historia de la salvación. Él, como el rey del Evangelio de hoy, invitó a muchas personas a un banquete glorioso, una celebración. Trabajó duro para prepararlo. Sé cómo me siento cuando me esfuerzo de más para un evento. Al invitar a la gente a nuestra casa a comer, no solo les ofrecemos comida, sino una parte de nosotros mismos. Dios hace lo mismo. Nos invita a compartir el banquete celestial y la eternidad con Él. Y muchos no vienen, o hacen caso omiso de la invitación, o peor aún, matan al sirviente. ¿Cómo se sentirá Dios al respecto? Sabemos que es un Dios amoroso y misericordioso, pero que también se ha enojado a veces, así que ¿se pone triste por el rechazo de su invitación?

Esta lectura a menudo me hace ponerme triste por Él. El rey mató los becerros, preparó los bueyes y la cena, y fue rechazado por sus primeros invitados y se vio obligado a invitar a todos los que estaban dispuestos a asistir a la fiesta.

Sé cómo me he sentido al experimentar el rechazo, así que me pongo triste pensando en Dios. También me entristece la idea de quienes han rechazado su invitación a la comunión con Él a través de la Santa Misa y los sacramentos. Estar cerca de Dios y encontrarme con Él de esta manera me ha traído mucha alegría y quiero que otros sientan lo mismo, especialmente mis familiares y amigos. Sin embargo, no todos quieren, y aunque sé que solo puedo invitar y no puedo cambiar corazones, mi corazón aún se pone triste por los que han optado no seguir a Dios.

Me alegra que la decisión de asistir al banquete celestial o de ser expulsados ​​la toma Dios. Él conoce nuestros corazones. Y eso me alegra.

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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 merridithfrediani.com.

Feature Image Credit: Tembela Bohle, pexels.com/photo/plates-and-wine-glass-on-table-1114425/

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.