Bulletins for all seasons

In Luke’s gospel today, we hear that Christ told the crowd of people listening to Him: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” He then told the parable of the rich man who stored up all of his possessions but who lacked the riches that matter to God.

Let us take some time today to reflect on both Christ’s words and His parable. And then let us examine our own lives to see any similarities between us and the rich man.

Do we put more emphasis on material possessions than on spiritual possessions? Do we work hard every day to amass more things or more savings without also working hard to amass spiritual savings?

Further, do we share what we have? Certainly having savings is important for our well-being and for our families. But do we neglect to share some of what we have with others?

Remember that what we do for others, we do for Christ. When we keep all of what we have for ourselves and refuse to share with others, we are refusing to share with Christ. When we don’t feed the hungry, we don’t feed Christ. When we treat people with disdain because they are poor, we treat Christ with disdain.

Sins of omission include not doing things for others. We may think that because we follow the commandments and don’t steal, don’t hurt others, are faithful to our spouses, and go to Mass every week that we are doing what God commands. And while that is true, those things are only part of what He says we must do in order to spend eternal life with Him.

Living a truly good life is about more than not breaking the commandments. It’s about sharing our blessings with others.

So today, let us focus on what truly makes us rich as children of God. It is not our belongings but our actions. It is what we do for other people.

We can have all the riches in the world, but if we don’t share them, we are spiritually poor. Most of us have at least some financial blessings we can share with others, but if we truly do not have money to share, that’s okay. God understands! We can share ourselves and our time. Riches can be so much more than financial. Reaching out to a lonely neighbor or relative can mean the world to a person who has no one else.

We all have riches to share. So as we enter the time of year when people are loneliest and when finances are especially thin, let us pray about how we can use our blessings to help others. Let us not be like the rich man and store them up or bury them. Let us use them to bless others in God’s name.

En el evangelio de Lucas de hoy, escuchamos que Cristo le dijo a la multitud de personas que lo escuchaban: “Eviten toda clase de avaricia, porque la vida del hombre no depende de la abundancia de los bienes que posea”. Luego contó la parábola del hombre rico que acumuló todas sus posesiones pero que carecía de las riquezas que le importan a Dios.

Tomemos un tiempo hoy para reflexionar tanto en las palabras de Cristo como en su parábola. Y luego examinemos nuestras propias vidas para ver cualquier similitud entre nosotros y el hombre rico.

¿Ponemos más énfasis en las posesiones materiales que en las posesiones espirituales? ¿Trabajamos duro todos los días para acumular más cosas o más ahorros sin trabajar también duro para acumular ahorros espirituales?

Además, ¿compartimos lo que tenemos? Ciertamente tener ahorros es importante para nuestro bienestar y el de nuestras familias. Pero, ¿nos negamos a compartir algo de lo que tenemos con los demás?

Recuerda que lo que hacemos por los demás, lo hacemos por Cristo. Cuando guardamos todo lo que tenemos para nosotros y nos negamos a compartir con los demás, nos negamos a compartir con Cristo. Cuando no alimentamos al hambriento, no alimentamos a Cristo. Cuando tratamos a las personas con desdén porque son pobres, tratamos a Cristo con desdén.

Los pecados de omisión incluyen no hacer cosas por los demás. Podemos pensar que porque seguimos los mandamientos y no robamos, no lastimamos a otros, somos fieles a nuestros cónyuges y vamos a misa todas las semanas que estamos haciendo lo que Dios manda. Y si bien eso es cierto, esas cosas son solo una parte de lo que Él dice que debemos hacer para pasar la vida eterna con Él.

Vivir una vida verdaderamente buena es más que no quebrantar los mandamientos. Se trata de compartir nuestras bendiciones con los demás.

Así que hoy, enfoquémonos en lo que verdaderamente nos hace ricos como hijos de Dios. No son nuestras pertenencias sino nuestras acciones. Es lo que hacemos por otras personas.

Podemos tener todas las riquezas del mundo, pero si no las compartimos, somos espiritualmente pobres. La mayoría de nosotros tenemos al menos algunas bendiciones financieras que podemos compartir con los demás, pero si realmente no tenemos dinero para compartir, está bien. ¡Dios entiende! Podemos compartirnos a nosotros mismos y nuestro tiempo. Las riquezas pueden ser mucho más que financieras. Llegar a un vecino o pariente solitario puede significar el mundo para una persona que no tiene a nadie más.

Todos tenemos riquezas para compartir. Entonces, al entrar en la época del año en que las personas están más solas y cuando las finanzas son especialmente escasas, oremos acerca de cómo podemos usar nuestras bendiciones para ayudar a los demás. No seamos como el hombre rico y los almacenemos o los enterremos sino usémoslos para bendecir a otros en el nombre de Dios.

October 16, 2022October 3, 2022

Susan Ciancio has a BA in psychology and a BA in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, with an MA in liberal studies from Indiana University. For the past 19 years, she has worked as a professional editor and writer, editing both fiction and nonfiction books, magazine articles, blogs, educational lessons, professional materials and website content. Thirteen of those years have been in the pro-life sector. Currently Susan freelances and writes weekly for HLI, edits for American Life League, and is the executive editor of Celebrate Life Magazine. She also serves as executive editor for the Culture of Life Studies Program—an educational nonprofit program for K-12 students. You can reach her at slochner0.wixsite.com/website.

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Perseverance and Closeness to the Lord / La Perseverancia y la Cercanía con el Señor

For anyone who has young children at home, they probably know how much easier it is to “give in” when being repeatedly asked for something.

Today’s parable and passage from 2 Timothy (18:1-8) teach the value of perseverance in prayer. We are instructed to pray without becoming weary and God will see to it that a solution come “speedily”. It appears the widow is used as the example as she is fully dependent on others.

Similarly, God wishes us to be fully dependent on Him; with this, human weakness instead becomes an inner strength. Moses’ extension of his hands is an example of reliance on God through prayer. The goal of the Exodus was not simply freedom from slavery, but freedom for the Israelites to know and serve the Lord with all their hearts.

The readings also emphasize the importance of knowing God’s word, so that our prayers can reflect His own. Again, there may be some parallels with that of children, who are closest to the kingdom of God because they already recognize they cannot rely on themselves. Humility cannot be understated as a key virtue to bring us closer to Jesus.

Para cualquiera que tenga niños pequeños en casa, probablemente sepa lo fácil que es “ceder” cuando se le pide algo repetidamente.

La parábola de hoy y el pasaje de 2 Timoteo (18,1-8) enseñan el valor de la perseverancia en la oración. Se nos instruye a orar sin cansarnos y Dios se encargará de que la solución llegue “rápidamente”. Parece que ponen a la viuda como ejemplo, ya que depende completamente de los demás.

De manera similar, Dios desea que seamos totalmente dependientes de Él; con esto, la debilidad humana se convierte en cambio en una fuerza interior. La extensión de las manos de Moisés es un ejemplo de confianza en Dios a través de la oración. El objetivo del Éxodo no era simplemente la libertad de la esclavitud, sino la libertad de los israelitas para conocer y servir al Señor con todo su corazón.

Las lecturas también enfatizan la importancia de conocer la palabra de Dios, para que nuestras oraciones puedan reflejar las Suyas. Una vez más, puede haber algunos paralelos con el de los niños, que están más cerca del reino de Dios porque ya reconocen que no pueden confiar en sí mismos. La humildad no puede ser subestimada como una virtud clave para acercarnos a Jesús.

October 15, 2022October 11, 2022

Dr. Alexis Dallara-Marsh is a board-certified neurologist who practices in Bergen County, NJ. She is a wife to her best friend, Akeem, and a mother of two little ones on Earth and two others in heaven above.

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Denied / Negado

Being denied before the angels of God, being unforgiven – these are serious matters.

Jesus tells his disciples that those who deny him before others will be denied before the angels of God; the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Given the infinite merits of the Redemption and the infinite mercy of God, the idea of an “unforgivable sin” has been discussed and debated since the early Church. Is there actually a sin that we can commit that cannot be forgiven? The answer is no… and yes.

There is no act that we can commit, no word we can say, no thought we can think, that God will refuse to forgive in this life. We cannot “out-sin” God’s mercy and love. Nothing we can do will stop God from loving and pursuing us with His merciful love; He will not close His Heart against us or refuse to forgive us or turn away from us. Ever.

But. WE can refuse this love and mercy. WE can refuse to acknowledge our errors and selfish choices and refuse to ask for or accept God’s forgiveness. In short, WE can be obstinate and stubborn and turn our backs on HIM.

St. Thomas Aquinas refers to St. Augustine’s explanation that blasphemy is one sin against the Holy Ghost, and that “those who despair of pardon for their sins, or who without merits presume on God’s mercy, (and)… He who dies in a state of obstinacy is guilty of the sin against the Holy Ghost.” (For avid Thomists, this is ST, Second Part of the Second Part, Question 14).

So it is despair, presumption, and obstinance that are the problem. The key here is whether we are OPEN to or CLOSED against grace, whether we trust in the Lord wholly, whether our hearts are hardened against the Holy Spirit’s word and work in us. This is our part in the life of the spirit: to continually hold ourselves before the Lord and open ourselves fully to all He longs to pour into us, all He longs to do in us, so that we remain malleable and our hearts are gradually enlarged to hold all of it. Every time we choose ourselves over others or over God’s will, we are darkened and hardened a little more. On the other hand, every time we kneel to pray, ask for forgiveness, and go to Confession, we are softened and given a little more light to walk in His ways.

Everything comes from God. For our part, we must prepare ourselves and hold ourselves in readiness to receive His gifts of forgiveness, love, and peace. We must open ourselves and offer ourselves to Him and listen to His Word.

“If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8).

Ser negado ante los ángeles de Dios, no ser perdonado, estos son asuntos serios.

Jesús les dice a sus discípulos que aquellos que lo niegan ante los demás, serán negados ante los ángeles de Dios; el que blasfema contra el Espíritu Santo no será perdonado.

Dados los méritos infinitos de la Redención y la misericordia infinita de Dios, la idea de un “pecado imperdonable” ha sido discutida y debatida desde la Iglesia primitiva. ¿Existe realmente un pecado que podamos cometer que no pueda ser perdonado? La respuesta es no… y sí.

No hay acto que podamos cometer, ninguna palabra que podamos decir, ningún pensamiento que podamos pensar, que Dios se negará a perdonar en esta vida. No podemos “superar en pecado” la misericordia y el amor de Dios. Nada de lo que podamos hacer impedirá que Dios nos ame y nos busque con su amor misericordioso; Él no cerrará Su Corazón contra nosotros ni se negará a perdonarnos ni se alejará de nosotros. Nunca.

Pero, NOSOTROS sí podemos rechazar este amor y misericordia. NOSOTROS podemos negarnos a reconocer nuestros errores y elecciones egoístas y negarnos a pedir o aceptar el perdón de Dios. En resumen, NOSOTROS podemos ser obstinados y tercos y darle la espalda a ÉL.
Santo Tomás de Aquino se refiere a la explicación de San Agustín de que la blasfemia es un pecado contra el Espíritu Santo, y que “aquellos que desesperan del perdón de sus pecados, o que sin méritos presumen de la misericordia de Dios, (y)… El que muere en una estado de obstinación es culpable del pecado contra el Espíritu Santo.”

Así que el problema es la desesperación, la presunción y la obstinación. La clave aquí es si estamos ABIERTOS o CERRADOS a la gracia, si confiamos plenamente en el Señor, si nuestros corazones están endurecidos contra la palabra y la obra del Espíritu Santo en nosotros. Esta es nuestra parte en la vida del espíritu: mantenernos continuamente ante el Señor y abrirnos plenamente a todo lo que Él anhela derramar en nosotros, todo lo que Él anhela hacer en nosotros, para que permanezcamos maleables y nuestro corazón se ensanche gradualmente, para sostenerlo todo. Cada vez que elegimos a nosotros mismos sobre los demás o sobre la voluntad de Dios, nos oscurecemos y endurecemos un poco más. Por otro lado, cada vez que nos arrodillamos para orar, pedir perdón y confesarnos, somos suavizados y se nos da un poco más de luz para caminar en sus caminos.

Todo viene de Dios. Por nuestra parte, debemos prepararnos y mantenernos listos para recibir sus dones de perdón, amor y paz. Debemos abrirnos y ofrecernos a Él y escuchar Su Palabra.

“Si ustedes oyen hoy su voz, no endurezcan el corazón” (Hebreos 3:7-8).

October 14, 2022October 19, 2022

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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Chosen to Be His Own / Elegido Como Suyo

I think we human beings don’t always acknowledge the effects that everyday life has on us. Some of those effects we’re good at recognizing: I’m exhausted, I’m frustrated, I’m pleasantly surprised. Other things, maybe we realize, but we don’t want to admit: I forgot. Didn’t I ask you to take out the garbage? What did I do with the shopping list? Your party was tonight?

When we tell our kids to do something or to remember something, does it frustrate or upset us when they forget? Yet we’re out here in the world forgetting all kinds of things. Let’s face it, they’re just like us. The trouble is, this forgetting, letting life get in the way, extends far beyond such mundane things as a full trash can. We also forget the big stuff — the really big stuff. Today’s readings discuss that really big stuff.

Paul shares with the Ephesians, and us, the biggest stuff of all. Just before our reading starts, Paul reminds his readers that Jesus suffered and died for us. He ransomed our very lives with His life. Then our reading kicks in: not only that, we were also chosen by God, in Christ, to be His people. Then, in our baptism, he gave us the Holy Spirit. Paul calls that glorious gift to help us in our faith a mere down payment. Stick it out, folks, stay faithful, and it’s going to be unimaginably better.

Jesus also has something to remind us: God loved us and always loves us, but we have to uphold our part of the bargain, too. Don’t go acting the pious follower, like a Pharisee, while doing something else when out of the public eye. Do we forget God’s power along with his love? If we’re doing something in private, God knows. If we’re saying something in secret, God knows.

And despite knowing every one of us is going to die, we act like not us, or at least not anytime soon. Other times, we don’t think about death because it frightens us. Don’t be afraid of death, Jesus reminds us, because that’s hardly the worst of our troubles. Losing our immortal soul, losing communion with God in heaven, that’s what we need to be concerned about.

And another thing Jesus has to remind us about: We matter to God. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He loves us that much! We are His people because God wants us to be His people. He forgives us our sins because He wants us to be in right relationship with Him. We have to do our part, with our faith and love and service, but the promise is there before us.

God loves us. God chooses us. God wants us to be with Him. What else matters? But how often do we forget how important that is? Let’s spend today keeping that in focus, keeping it foremost in our minds. And acting accordingly. And also, don’t forget to take out the garbage.

October 13, 2022October 3, 2022

Creo que como seres humanos no siempre reconocemos los efectos que la vida cotidiana tiene sobre nosotros. Algunos de esos efectos los reconocemos bien: estoy agotado, estoy frustrado, estoy gratamente sorprendido. Otras cosas, tal vez nos demos cuenta, pero no queremos admitir: se me olvidó. ¿No te pedí que sacaras la basura? ¿Qué hice con la lista de compras? ¿Tu fiesta fue esta noche?

Cuando les decimos a nuestros hijos que hagan algo o que recuerden algo, ¿nos frustra o nos molesta que se les olvide? Sin embargo, estamos aquí en el mundo olvidando todo tipo de cosas. Seamos realistas, son como nosotros. El problema es que este olvido, dejar que la vida se interponga en el camino, se extiende mucho más allá de cosas tan mundanas como un bote de basura lleno. También nos olvidamos de las cosas importantes, las cosas realmente importantes. Las lecturas de hoy discuten cosas realmente importantes.

Pablo comparte con los Efesios, y con nosotros, lo más importante de todo. Justo antes de que comience esta lectura, Pablo les recuerda a sus lectores que Jesús sufrió y murió por nosotros. Él rescató nuestras propias vidas con la Suya. Después entra en acción la lectura de hoy: no solo eso, también fuimos escogidos por Dios, en Cristo, para ser Su pueblo. Luego, en nuestro bautismo, nos dio el Espíritu Santo. Pablo llama a ese regalo glorioso para ayudarnos en nuestra fe un mero pago inicial. Manténganse firmes, amigos, manténganse fieles, y será inimaginablemente mejor.

Jesús también tiene algo que recordarnos: Dios nos amó y siempre nos ama, pero también tenemos que cumplir con nuestra parte del trato. No actúes como un seguidor piadoso, como un fariseo, mientras haces otra cosa cuando no estás a la vista del público. ¿Olvidamos el poder de Dios junto con su amor? Si estamos haciendo algo en privado, Dios lo sabe. Si estamos diciendo algo en secreto, Dios lo sabe.

Y a pesar de saber que todos vamos a morir, actuamos como si no fuéramos nosotros, o al menos no pronto. Otras veces, no pensamos en la muerte porque nos asusta. No le temas a la muerte, nos recuerda Jesús, porque ese no es el peor de nuestros problemas. Perder nuestra alma inmortal, perder la comunión con Dios en el cielo, eso es lo que nos debe preocupar.

Y otra cosa que Jesús tiene que recordarnos: Le importamos a Dios. Él conoce el número de cabellos en nuestras cabezas. ¡Él nos ama tanto! Somos Su pueblo porque Dios quiere que seamos Su pueblo. Él nos perdona nuestros pecados porque quiere que tengamos una relación correcta con Él. Tenemos que hacer nuestra parte, con nuestra fe, amor y servicio, pero la promesa está ante nosotros.

Dios nos ama. Dios nos elige. Dios quiere que estemos con Él. ¿Qué más importa? Pero, ¿con qué frecuencia olvidamos lo importante que es eso? Dediquemos el día a mantener eso enfocado, manteniéndolo en primer lugar en nuestras mentes. Y actuando en consecuencia. Y por si acaso, no te olvides de sacar la basura.

Comunicarse con el autor

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.

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God’s Plan / El Plan de Dios

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The introduction to St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians is a mouthful for lectors and an earful for listeners, but it is profound in its depth. Instead of glossing over it, as we tend to do when we hear so many relative clauses one after the other, we ought to try to understand what Paul is saying.

He begins his letter by blessing God the Father for giving us “every spiritual blessing in the heavens” and for choosing us in Jesus Christ, “before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him” (Eph. 1:3–4). The Father planned for all eternity, before the world was even formed, to send Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, for the holiness of mankind.

This holiness is itself, in a sense, salvation, since holiness is union with God, and salvation brings us into a state of union with God forever. In saving us, Christ gave us holiness, and the Father orchestrated this particularly through “[destining] us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ” (Eph. 1:5). By being incorporated into Jesus Christ, Who in Himself is the union of God and man, we can appropriate that same union and become truly one with God, “holy and without blemish before him.”

The Father chose to bring about this salvific holiness by His own free will, “in accord with the favor of his will,” and not because of anything we did (Eph. 1:5). He did it “for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6). In other words, the Father gave us salvation in Jesus Christ so that the wonders of His grace would be praised. Specifically, so that the wonderful plan of redemption and forgiveness in Christ would be praised (see Eph. 1:7–8).

“In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him” (Eph. 1:9). God not only predestined this plan to go into effect from before the foundation of the world, but He decided to make it known to us in time, so that we might be prepared for the grace of holiness that would come through Christ (“his favor that he set forth in him”).

After detailing the Father’s plan to bring us into union with Himself through the saving power of Christ in the forgiveness of sins, Paul gives us insight into the universal significance of this plan. It is not just a plan for each individual, but a plan for the entire universe, “as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth” (Eph. 1:10). All things, divinity and humanity, are summed up in Christ. And all things, created and uncreated, are to be summed up in Christ.

Responding to God’s great favor toward us in ordaining such a glorious plan, we ought to appropriate this grace by becoming incorporated into Jesus. We do this through the sacramental life which He set forth and by living according to His commandments. With such a wondrous purpose in mind, our goal should be to praise the glory of God’s grace by summing up all things in Christ, bringing everything and everyone we can into this relationship of harmony with the Creator, present metaphysically in the hypostatic union.

October 12, 2022October 10, 2022

La introducción a la Carta de San Pablo a los Efesios es duro leer para los lectores y un grito para los oyentes, pero es profundo. En lugar de pasarlo por alto, como tendemos a hacer cuando escuchamos tantas cláusulas relativas una tras otra, debemos tratar de entender lo que Pablo está diciendo.

Comienza su carta bendiciendo a Dios Padre por darnos “ttoda clase de bienes espirituales y celestiales” y por elegirnos en Jesucristo, “antes de crear el mundo, para que fuéramos santos e irreprochables a sus ojos” (Efesios 1: 3–4). El Padre planeó desde toda la eternidad, incluso antes de que el mundo fuera formado, enviar a Jesucristo para el perdón de los pecados, para la santidad de la humanidad.

Esta santidad es en sí misma, en cierto sentido, la salvación, ya que la santidad es unión con Dios, y la salvación nos lleva a un estado de unión con Dios para siempre. Al salvarnos, Cristo nos dio la santidad, y el Padre orquestó esto particularmente porque “por medio de Jesucristo, [somos] sus hijos” (Efesios 1:5). Al ser incorporados a Jesucristo, quien en sí mismo es la unión de Dios y el hombre, podemos apropiarnos de esa misma unión y llegar a ser verdaderamente uno con Dios, “santos y sin mancha delante de él”.

El Padre escogió realizar esta santidad salvífica por Su propia voluntad, “y determinó, porque así lo quiso”, y no por nada que hayamos hecho (Efesios 1:5). Lo hizo “para que alabemos y glorifiquemos la gracia con que nos ha favorecido por medio de su Hijo amado” (Efesios 1:6). En otras palabras, el Padre nos dio la salvación en Jesucristo para que las maravillas de Su gracia fueran alabadas. Específicamente, para que el maravilloso plan de redención y perdón en Cristo sea alabado (ver Efesios 1:7-8).

“El ha prodigado sobre nosotros el tesoro de su gracia, con toda sabiduría e inteligencia, dándonos a conocer el misterio de su voluntad” (Efesios 1:9). Dios no sólo predestinó este plan para que se cumpliera desde antes de la fundación del mundo, sino que decidió dárnoslo a conocer a tiempo, a fin de que estuviéramos preparados para la gracia de la santidad que vendría por medio de Cristo.

Después de detallar el plan del Padre para traernos a la unión con Él a través del poder salvador de Cristo en el perdón de los pecados, Pablo nos da una idea del significado universal de este plan. No es solo un plan para cada individuo, sino un plan para todo el universo, “Este es el plan que había proyectado realizar por Cristo, cuando llegara la plenitud de los tiempos: hacer que todas las cosas, las del cielo y las de la tierra, tuvieran a Cristo por cabeza” (Efesios 1:10). Todas las cosas, divinidad y humanidad, se resumen en Cristo. Y todas las cosas, creadas y no creadas, deben resumirse en Cristo.

Respondiendo al gran favor de Dios para con nosotros al ordenar tan glorioso plan, debemos apropiarnos de esta gracia incorporándonos a Jesús. Hacemos esto a través de la vida sacramental que Él estableció y viviendo de acuerdo con Sus mandamientos. Con un propósito tan maravilloso en mente, nuestro objetivo debe ser alabar la gloria de la gracia de Dios resumiendo todas las cosas en Cristo, trayendo todo y todos los que podamos a esta relación de armonía con el Creador, presente metafísicamente en la unión hipostática.

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David Dashiell is a freelance author and editor in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a master’s degree in theology from Franciscan University, and is the editor of the anthology Ever Ancient, Ever New: Why Younger Generations Are Embracing Traditional Catholicism.

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Stay Busy Doing Good / Mantente Ocupado Haciendo el Bien

What strikes me most in today’s reading from the book of Galatians, as well as from the Gospel reading, is the variety of ways we can be displeasing to God while hurting ourselves and others. From sorcery to drinking bouts, from impurity to selfishness, St. Paul covers a lot of ground. In the Gospel reading, Jesus takes the hypocritical religious leaders to task, issuing fearsome warnings for their pride and false piety.

So what are we mere human beings to do? There are so many ways to go wrong! God knows our weakness and provides a remedy. He gives us the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of us and enables us to become holy, if we cooperate with his movements.

As adults, we know that when we walk into a room of children who are brawling, we need to act. We can either isolate them from one another (perhaps by plugging them into an electronic gadget), or we can teach them how to think and act virtuously. We may foster virtue by helping them communicate more effectively, or by initiating an interactive game, or by channeling their youthful energy into raking an elderly person’s yard.

The same principle is true for adults who sin. Temptation to do wrong can become an opportunity for growth. As adults, we must monitor ourselves through frequent self-examination in order to recognize and repent of our own bad behavior. If we really want to grow in virtue, isolating ourselves (perhaps scrolling on our phones or binge watching a show) is ineffective. We must get busy doing good. St. Jerome, in the 4th century, said it this way: “Engage in some occupation, so that the devil may always find you busy.”

Serving others is one particularly good way to stay busy! Many Catholics are familiar with the traditional “Works of Mercy” which help us consider what it means to serve others. The Corporal Works of Mercy are: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit those in prison, shelter the homeless, and visit the sick. The Spiritual Works of Mercy are: admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, and bury the dead. There are myriad ways to assist others and to reach them with love of Christ.

The First Reading says, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.” When we are busy following the Spirit and doing God’s work, we will have little time for behavior that is destructive both to us and to others.

Lo que más me llama la atención en la lectura de hoy del libro de Gálatas, así como de la lectura del Evangelio, es la variedad de formas en que podemos desagradar a Dios mientras nos lastimamos a nosotros mismos y a los demás. Desde la hechicería hasta las borracheras, desde la impureza hasta el egoísmo, San Pablo cubre mucho terreno. En la lectura del Evangelio, Jesús reprende a los líderes religiosos hipócritas, emitiendo temibles advertencias por su orgullo y falsa piedad.

Entonces, ¿qué vamos a hacer nosotros, meros seres humanos? ¡Hay tantas maneras de equivocarse! Dios conoce nuestra debilidad y nos provee un remedio. Él nos da el Espíritu Santo, que vive dentro de nosotros y nos permite ser santos, si cooperamos con él.

Como adultos, sabemos que cuando entramos en una habitación con niños peleando, debemos actuar. Podemos aislarlos unos de otros (tal vez conectándolos a un aparato electrónico), o podemos enseñarles cómo pensar y actuar de manera virtuosa. Podemos fomentar la virtud ayudándolos a comunicarse de manera más efectiva, o iniciando un juego interactivo, o canalizando su energía juvenil para rastrillar el jardín de una persona mayor.

El mismo principio es cierto para los adultos que pecan. La tentación de hacer el mal puede convertirse en una oportunidad de crecimiento. Como adultos, debemos monitorearnos a nosotros mismos a través de un autoexamen frecuente para reconocer y arrepentirnos de nuestro propio mal comportamiento. Si realmente queremos crecer en virtud, aislarnos (quizás viendo el teléfono o un programa en exceso) no es efectivo. Debemos estar ocupados haciendo el bien. San Jerónimo, en el siglo IV, lo decía así: “Ocúpate en alguna ocupación, para que el diablo siempre te encuentre ocupado”.

¡Servir a los demás es una manera particularmente buena de mantenerte ocupado! Muchos católicos están familiarizados con las “Obras de Misericordia” tradicionales que nos ayudan a considerar lo que significa servir a los demás. Las Obras de Misericordia Corporales son: dar de comer al hambriento, dar de beber al sediento, vestir al desnudo, visitar a los presos, dar cobijo a los desamparados y visitar a los enfermos. Las Obras Espirituales de Misericordia son: amonestar al pecador, instruir al ignorante, aconsejar al dudoso, consolar al afligido, soportar con paciencia los agravios, perdonar todas las injurias y enterrar a los muertos. Hay innumerables maneras de ayudar a los demás y llegar a ellos con el amor de Cristo.

La Primera Lectura dice: “Y los que son de Jesucristo ya han crucificado su egoísmo junto con sus pasiones y malos deseos. Si tenemos la vida del Espíritu, actuemos conforme a ese mismo Espíritu.”. Cuando estamos ocupados siguiendo al Espíritu y haciendo la obra de Dios, tendremos poco tiempo para conductas que sean destructivas tanto para nosotros como para los demás.

October 11, 2022October 4, 2022

Christine Hanus currently lives in Upstate, NY. Though she enjoys writing and her work as a catechist, Christine is primarily a wife, mother, and more recently, grandmother!

Feature Image Credit: Elissa Garcia, unsplash.com/photos/MV1l4f_f1os

Shifting our Focus Outward / Cambiando el Enfoque Hacia Afuera

I once read about someone who, instead of seeking attention, gifts, cards and cake on their birthday, chose to bring flowers and a special note to their mother instead. Why? Because that woman on that day labored in love to give birth. That woman on that day chose to give life instead of take it. That woman on that day began the difficult task of raising another human being for the foreseeable future.

Today I celebrate 43 years of life outside the womb. Sure I will have my fair share of greetings and sweets, but my heart, as any mother’s, is more focused on my children. I almost forget my birthday each year, as I am preceded by one son’s birthday in September and another son’s later this month.

And although I am grateful for this life that God has given me, I cannot help but be saddened by what is happening throughout our country to destroy life. October is Respect Life Month, and we are in the midst of the 40 Days For Life prayer campaign. The abortion clinic that was shut down in my town, reopened due to a loophole in the law. Elections for pro-abortion laws are looming in the next few weeks. All I can do is pray, pray, pray, vote, and beg God for His mercy.

In today’s Gospel the Pharisee was amazed that Jesus did not wash before the meal. Jesus rebuked him. What good is it to have a clean body if the soul is not clean. “Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

Hmmm, interesting. Instead of telling him to change his attitude and his focus, he told the Pharisee to give alms. Wait a minute…maybe he was telling him to change his attitude and his focus! Let’s think about this for a moment. What happens to us when we give to others? We shift from an inward to an outward focus. We are giving instead of receiving. We are caring instead of falling into greed. Our Jesus is one wise God!

So as we all celebrate one more day (or one more year) of life, let us turn our attention outward. May we all make at least one intentional act to help another person today. And may we all continue to pray for God’s mercy so that the right to life may be protected in our country.

Una vez leí acerca de alguien que, en lugar de buscar la atención, los regalos, las tarjetas y el pastel en su cumpleaños, optó por llevar flores y una nota especial a su mamá. ¿Por qué? Porque esa mujer en ese día laboró con amor para dar a luz. Esa mujer ese día eligió dar la vida en lugar de quitarla. Esa mujer en ese día comenzó la difícil obra de criar a otro ser humano por el futuro previsible.

Hoy celebro 43 años de vida fuera de la matriz. Claro que recibiré lo suficiente en cuanto a saludos y dulces, pero mi corazón, como el de cualquier madre, está más centrado en mis hijos. Casi me olvido mi cumpleaños cada año, ya que me precede el cumpleaños de un hijo en septiembre y el de otro hijo a finales de este mes.

Y aunque estoy agradecida por esta vida que Dios me ha dado, no puedo evitar entristecerme por lo que está pasando en todo nuestro país para destruir la vida. Octubre es el Mes de Respeto a la Vida, y estamos en medio de la campaña de oración 40 Días por la Vida. La clínica de aborto que cerró en mi ciudad, reabrió debido a un detalle de la ley. Las elecciones a favor de las leyes a favor del aborto están por venir en las próximas semanas. Todo lo que puedo hacer es orar, orar, orar, votar y rogar a Dios por su misericordia.

En el Evangelio de hoy, el fariseo se asombra de que Jesús no se lave antes de comer. Jesús lo reprendió. ¿De qué sirve tener un cuerpo limpio si el alma no está limpia? “¿Acaso el que hizo lo exterior no hizo también lo interior?”

Muy interesante. En lugar de decirle que cambie su actitud y su enfoque, le dijo al fariseo que diera limosna. Espera un minuto… ¡tal vez le estaba diciendo que cambiara su actitud y su enfoque! Vamos a pensarlo. ¿Qué nos sucede cuando damos a los demás? Pasamos de un enfoque interno a uno externo. Estamos dando en lugar de recibir. Nos preocupamos en lugar de caer en la codicia. ¡Nuestro Jesús es un Dios sabio!

Entonces, mientras todos celebramos un día más (o un año más) de vida, dirijamos nuestra atención hacia afuera. Que todos hagamos al menos un acto intencional para ayudar a otra persona hoy. Y que todos sigamos orando por la misericordia de Dios para que en nuestro país se proteja el derecho a la vida.

October 10, 2022October 6, 2022

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.

Feature Image Credit: Towfiqu barbhuiya, unsplash.com/photos/0ITvgXAU5Oo

Encountering Signs of Faith / Encontrando Señales de Fe

Jesus refused to be a sideshow attraction, as he rightfully should have. Jesus referred to the generation he encountered on earth as evil for their unwillingness to accept the things of heaven on faith. They sought signs and wonders; some were given, but not on demand to humor the believer. Instead, the signs offered blessed those already possessing faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed.

Yes, even the tiniest mustard seed of faith can move mountains. Faith preceded the healing of the hemorrhaging woman, Jairus’ Son, and the centurion’s slave. No one is more guilty of seeking signs than this girl! And when I first read Jesus’ words in this Gospel, I was taken aback, having been blessed abundantly with signs accredited by me to the showering of love and mercy from heaven. I didn’t consider my desire to see God in some tangible way as evil; most often, I sought signs to clarify His will over mine. Not as proof of his existence but as affirmation of what He was asking of me.

I have discovered a vast difference between the one who demands proof of God’s existence versus the one who seeks verification of the will of God. The skeptic who looks to check Jesus’ heavenly ID card to prove He is who He says He is, versus those who accept the truth on faith. We should not mistake the proud trying to debunk the humble approaching God’s throne of grace with confidence for an occasional bit of reassurance, not convincing.

If His Resurrection doesn’t convince them, nothing else He does will. The sign of Jonah would be witnessed and attested to not only by believers but also by “hostile witnesses.” People alive at the time of the Resurrection who, although they did not wish to perpetuate Jesus’ mission, could not refute what their eyes beheld. Jesus who died had risen, not as a spirit but as a man, who ate among them, something a ghost cannot do and has no need for.

Seeing by faith and not by sight, as Jesus tells St. Thomas, is a tremendous gift. “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” I believe Jesus; sometimes, I just need a little nugget to help my unbelief.

Jesús se negó a ser una atracción secundaria, como debería haberlo hecho. Jesús se refirió a la generación que encontró en la tierra como mala por su falta de voluntad para aceptar con fe las cosas del cielo. Buscaban señales y prodigios; algunos fueron dados, pero no a pedido para complacer al creyente. En cambio, las señales ofrecidas bendijeron a aquellos que ya tenían fe, incluso una fe tan pequeña como una semilla de mostaza.

Sí, incluso una fe muy pequeña como la semilla de mostaza puede mover montañas. La fe precedió a la curación de la mujer con hemorragias, el hijo de Jairo y el esclavo del centurión. Tengo que decir que ¡nadie es más culpable de buscar señales que yo! Y cuando leí por primera vez las palabras de Jesús en este Evangelio, quedé desconcertada, habiendo sido bendecida abundantemente con señales acreditadas por mí para la lluvia de amor y misericordia del cielo. No consideré mi deseo de ver a Dios de alguna manera tangible como malo. La mayoría de las veces, he buscado señales para aclarar Su voluntad sobre la mía, no como prueba de su existencia, sino como afirmación de lo que él me estaba pidiendo.

He descubierto una gran diferencia entre el que exige prueba de la existencia de Dios y el que busca la verificación de la voluntad de Dios. El escéptico que busca verificar la tarjeta de identificación celestial de Jesús para probar que Él es quien dice ser, frente a aquellos que aceptan la verdad por fe. No debemos confundir a los orgullosos que intentan desacreditar a los humildes que se acercan al trono de la gracia de Dios con confianza con un poco de tranquilidad ocasional, sin convencer.

Si Su Resurrección no los convence, ninguna otra cosa que Él haga lo convencerá. La señal de Jonás sería presenciada y atestiguada no solo por los creyentes sino también por “testigos hostiles”. Las personas que vivían en el momento de la Resurrección que, aunque no querían perpetuar la misión de Jesús, no podían refutar lo que veían sus ojos. Jesús que murió había resucitado, no como un espíritu sino como un hombre, que comía entre ellos, algo que un fantasma no puede hacer ni tiene necesidad de hacer.

Ver por la fe y no por la vista, como le dice Jesús a Santo Tomás, es un don tremendo. “¿Has creído porque me has visto? Bienaventurados los que no han visto y creen”. Yo creo a Jesús; a veces, solo necesito una pequeña semilla para ayudar a mi incredulidad.

October 9, 2022October 3, 2022

Allison Gingras is a Deacon’s wife and seasoned mom of three. Allison works for Family Rosary as a social media and digital specialist, as well as a new media consultant for Catholic Mom and the Diocese of Fall River. She is the author of Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God (Fall 2022, Ave Maria Press). Allison developed the Stay Connected Journals for Women series including her two volumes – The Gift of Invitation and Seeking Peace (OSV). She’s hosted A Seeking Heart with Allison Gingras podcast since 2015.

Feature Image Credit: Nicolás Nuñez, LC, cathopic.com/photo/13647-luz-del-mundo

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.

Why Does Matter, Matter?/ ¿Por Qué Importa la Materia?

There is a scene in a popular TV show where two scientists are discussing what makes up a human person. They go through all the elements that a body is made of and the percentages that we have of each. Most of our bodies are made of a mix of just six elements: Oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, calcium, and phosphorus. Pretty remarkable way to describe a human being, huh? But I bring this up because I think oftentimes we treat our own bodies this way. As if they are just masks that we can change at will, or abuse. After all, they are just elements mixed together at random right? What’s the harm?

The scene in the show gets them to the end of a list of elements but they are still missing some percentage of unaccounted for elements. They determine that it must be the soul. As Catholics, we believe we are body and soul composites that have been infused with the life and breath of God. We even hear in Genesis that we are made in the image and likeness of God. More than just a cute little phrase to hand out on prayer cards, this means something. It means that matter (our bodies), matters.

Our body and our soul together is what makes us a human being, totally unique and perfect in the plan of God. The Catechism tells us then that, “Man may not despise his bodily life. Rather he is obliged to regard his body as good and to hold it in honor since God has created it and will raise it up on the last day.” CCC 364

Matter, matters. God, as our Creator, knows that we are both physical and spiritual beings, and he loves us so much that this purely spiritual being took on flesh. God became man. That is significant. The moment that the second person of the Trinity took on flesh, our bodies were raised to a higher level than ever. We now share the same human DNA with God.

Now, it’s not only that God created us and became man for us, he also wanted to stay with us even after he was taken back into heaven. We receive his grace and love in a tangible way through the sacraments. And notice, every sacrament requires matter. Baptism requires water and the Eucharist requires bread and wine. In the First Reading today we have a foreshadowing of baptism where Naaman washes and is made clean of leprosy. His body is made new. And we know that in baptism we are made new as well. Matter, matters.

The Catechism sums this up beautifully by saying, “The flesh is the hinge of salvation. We believe in God who is the creator of the flesh; we believe in the word made flesh in order to redeem the flesh, we believe in the resurrection of the flesh, the fulfillment of both the creation and redemption of the flesh.” CCC 1015

God loves your body. God loves you. Let’s take a few moments today to thank God for making us in his image and likeness, for giving us his sacraments so that we might partake in his love, and for the future hope of one day reaching heaven and being happy with him and all the saints forever. Just a bunch of humans walking around with glorified bodies praising God and living their best life. Sounds pretty good to me.

From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!