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God’s Perfect Gifts

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I once heard a talk relating motherhood to the Eucharist. Just as Christ gives himself totally to us in the form of bread, a mother gives herself totally to her child(ren). As I layed there naked and cut open on the operating table during my C-sections, and my arms were spread open so that I was literally in the form of a cross, I was able to say “This is my body, given up for you.”  

As the months progressed, my 8-inch scar and the 2-3 month recovery were a reminder of the sacrifice I had made for each of them to be born, “This is my body, given up for you.” 

As I nursed my children and endured nights with little sleep, “This is my body, given up for you.” 

As I realized that being clean was a luxury after being soiled with various bodily fluids, “This is my body, given up for you.” 

As my showers, my bathroom breaks, and my meals were constantly interrupted by little persons’ needs, “This is my body, given up for you.” 

I remember my husband telling me during a low moment that being a parent wasn’t babysitting, but rather constant care 24/7 as long as you lived. It doesn’t sink in until you’re in the thick of it.

Today’s First Reading reminded me of that moment of desperation: “each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire.” My desire for sleep, quiet and just a moment to myself was getting the best of me. But the reading goes on to describe the beauty that shines forth, despite the cross. “All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, [] with home there is no alteration or shadow caused by change [becoming a parent] He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures [my children].” 

I admit there seem to be more moments of trial than moments of beauty at this stage in life raising littles, but knowing that “all good giving and every perfect gift is from above” helps me to have a more positive attitude. My children are my greatest gift. Thank you Father, for your great gifts. 

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

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Consider It All Joy

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Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Suffice to say, my blog today is not about Valentine’s Day. I really did want it to be related in some way, but as of late, I have been struggling with God’s plan for me, not with mortal love. I’ve been asking for a sign to know that what I am doing is His Will, not mine, because I don’t really want to be doing it. I’ve been praying, checking in, like, “Hey Dad, just wondering… Is this okay? Is this really where you want me to be? Because if it is, just say so and I’ll keep going… *awkward silence* Okay, well, just let me know… I’ll just be waiting over here…”

So when I read today’s Gospel, where Jesus is so deeply saddened that the Pharisees are looking for a sign… Well, it kinda hit home. Here I am, asking for a sign every time I pray. Asking for some miracle instead of just having faith. 

Also in today’s First Reading, James reminds us that we should, “Consider it all joy,” when we come head to head with issues, and to ask for wisdom should we need it (James 1:2). Last, of course, is to have faith, wholehearted faith, for it is through faith that we know to expect and receive the goodness of the Lord. 

Well… darn. I’m not sure I’ve done any of these things.

  1. Consider it all joy.
    No, not really because I complain. My beloved siblings, God bless them, hear from me at least twice a week and half of the time, it’s just to complain. I forget to even look on the bright side, I’m just annoyed and probably annoying.  Even if it’s not out loud, in my head while I’m actually doing the tasks I’m unsure about, I’m like a tired baby, wailing and flailing. 
  2. Ask for wisdom.
    Nope, just been asking for a sign as an answer. My prayers, however often, are never asking for discernment and wisdom. Instead I just ask for answers. I complain to God and then I ask for him to make the hard decision for me. Which defeats the whole purpose of free will! I’m seeing everything almost too clearly now! 
  3. Have faith.
    Not to the extent I should, knowing that God will provide and will speak to me in the silence of my heart. The last time I talked (and complained) to my sister, she quoted Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

So, silly me, why am I so upset? My God is an all-loving, all-merciful father in better ways than I can even comprehend. So my goal for today and moving forward is to stop complaining to my family and to God and just consider it all joy and happily listen. In addition to not complaining to God, I’ll ask for wisdom, not just easy answers, and then actually trust in the Lord. He is so good and sometimes we need that reminder, so we thank the Lord for these daily readings because:

All the time, God is good.
And God is good, all the time.

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Veronica Alvarado is a born and raised Texan currently living in Pennsylvania. Since graduating from Texas A&M University, Veronica has published various Catholic articles in bulletins, newspapers, e-newsletters, and blogs. She continued sharing her faith after graduation as a web content strategist and digital project manager. Today, she continues this mission in her current role as communications director and project manager for Pentecost Today USA, a Catholic Charismatic Renewal organization in Pittsburgh. 

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The Beauty of the Beatitudes

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“Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.”

“Blessed are you who are poor,

for the kingdom of God is yours.

Blessed are you who are now hungry,

for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who are now weeping,

for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you,

and when they exclude and insult you,

and denounce your name as evil

on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!

Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.”

The Beatitudes are an invitation to place Christ first in our life and follow His ways so as to better experience the joy of the Gospel and use the things of this world for His glory, such as using wealth, power, popularity, influence, or success to build up what is good, beautiful and holy. 

The Lord invites us to encounter Him and experience Heaven here on Earth. Jesus reminds us that God’s ways are not the ways of this world, so we are not called to be troubled or discouraged when others mock us or persecute us, but instead, we are invited to rejoice in our trials and difficulties, for we know God can use all things to His greater glory. When we experience difficult times, Jesus wants us to not grow hard-hearted during these trials but rather serve as a witness to Christ and love them.

“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in Heaven.”The word “blessed” means truly happy, filled with joy, and knowing God blesses you. The Sermon on the Mount is a path to not only growing closer to Christ but living out our Catholic faith and experiencing Christian joy despite what is going on around us.

The Beatitudes remind us that we live for Heaven and Heaven’s reward, not an earthly reward. In an age where we want “instant success and reward,” it is essential to cling to the Beatitudes and make sure that we seek to encounter the Lord and follow His ways.

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Emily Jaminet is a Catholic author, speaker, radio personality, wife, and mother of seven children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mental health and human services from the Franciscan University of Steubenville.  She is the co-founder of www.inspirethefaith.com and the Executive Director of The Sacred Heart Enthronement Network www.WelcomeHisHeart.com. She has co-authored several Catholic books and her next one, Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Claiming Jesus’ Twelve Promises in Your Life, comes out in Oct. 2020. Emily serves on the board of the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference, contributes to Relevant Radio and Catholic Mom.com.

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A Heart That Beats With Love For Us

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Have you ever been so hungry that you were in danger of collapsing? Jesus is not usually prone to hyperbole, so his comment here seems factual:  if he sends the crowd that has been following him for three days away to their homes, “they will collapse on the way.”

Jesus’ heart is moved with pity for them and is determined to do something to help these thousands of people, while the disciples seem to be somber realists. “What else can we possibly do?” they say. They are out of options.

But love is never out of options. Love finds a way. And the endless, creative, Love of God can make a way where there is no way. And so, Jesus orders them all to sit down and he takes the seven loaves and gives thanks. To Whom? To the Father in Heaven, undoubtedly. Then he breaks the bread and gives it to the disciples to distribute.

Does this sound familiar? This thanksgiving and blessing and breaking of bread is the way Jesus prefigures the Eucharist over and over in the Gospels. As a prefiguring of the Eucharist, we see that Jesus does the blessing and his disciples take care of the distribution. And we see that there is always, always enough to satisfy all. There is always an abundance, for all. An OVERabundance, even.  When everyone has eaten and is satisfied, the disciples gather the fragments and fill seven baskets! This Living Bread that came down from Heaven may seem small, but it will never run out.

And we are reminded that the Eucharist we receive is a prefiguring of the Heavenly Banquet to which we are all called, even as it is our sustenance along the way. Without the Eucharist, we are in danger of collapsing on our way to the Wedding Feast, but Jesus has made certain that we will have all we need to arrive whole and prepared!

The next time we approach the altar to receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ, let’s recall with confidence that this is the same Jesus who fed the multitude because his heart had pity on them, and we can be confident that he feeds us his very SELF because his heart is beating with love for us as well.  

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

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Be Opened!

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In today’s Gospel, Mark tells the story of Jesus healing the man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. Jesus put His fingers in the man’s ear, put spit on his tongue, and looked up to heaven saying: “Be opened.” The man could then hear and speak without the impediment.

Metaphorically, we are a lot like the man who could not hear and didn’t speak well. When it comes to the word of God and teaching others about God, we often have difficulty listening and speaking.

God only asks for one hour a week, but we know that we cannot build a relationship with Him in just 1/168 of the week. Imagine telling your children or your significant other that you want to just spend one hour each week with them. I suspect they would feel cast aside or unimportant. Now stand in front of a crucifix, look at Christ, and tell Him He only deserves one hour a week. It hurts to do that, doesn’t it?

If we really want to get to know God better, we must talk to Him and learn about Him every day.

We can make it easy to include Him in our daily lives, but it does take a little effort to find the way that suits our life the best. Additionally, it takes some determination to put away the phones, to shut out the outside world, and to really reflect on those two words we want to hear from Christ: “Be opened!”

So take some time today to decide how you want to start improving your relationship with Christ. Do you like to read about Him? Do you want someone to read to you or talk to you about Him—like in a podcast? Do you want to watch videos? Do you want to just spend quiet time in prayer? Do you want to do something different every day?

There’s so much we can do to praise God, to acknowledge His presence, and then to welcome Him into our daily lives. 

With Lent fast approaching, we may have already thought about how we will prepare, but let us not wait until then to transform our spiritual life. Let us make a life change that will last way beyond Lent. 

From this point on, give God 20 minutes of your day. Open your heart, open your mind, and open your life to Him. And rejoice that He is calling you and saying: “Be opened!”

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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 17 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. Eleven 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 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.

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Escape

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I think it is good for us to see Jesus in this moment. Jesus, fully God, is also fully human. We see Jesus experience the full range of human emotions in the Gospels. Jesus weeping for Lazarus, Jesus lashing out at the money changers in the temple, Jesus participating at the Wedding at Cana – the Gospel writers were not afraid to show Jesus’ depth of feeling. Today’s Gospel highlights a more private emotion, one that we don’t always acknowledge or speak about – the need to escape.

There isn’t a parent out there who hasn’t felt like Jesus at the start of today’s Gospel reading. Jesus, weary and in need of a break, enters a house and “wanted no one to know about it” (v 24). Every parent has had a moment where they have hidden in the bathroom, a bedroom, the garage, the car, even a closet, because they just needed a minute. A minute of quiet, of not talking, of not listening. Just a few minutes by themselves. That’s what Jesus was seeking.

In light of the changes the world has undergone the past two years, this feeling has come to the forefront of many people’s consciousness. Even those of us who aren’t parents have most likely felt this urge, especially during the spring of 2020 when so many were isolated from their usual daily routines and familiar interactions. Somewhere deep within all of us, even within the most social person, is a need for quiet.

Our need for quiet and stillness is a gift from the Lord, even if it seems hard to come by. Psalm 46:11 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Quiet is often elusive. Our minds are full of necessary and unnecessary information. We are flooded with stimuli between our phones, our TVs, even some billboards feature flashing and changing graphics. Those with children have spent many more hours with them than perhaps planned. The time together ought to be cherished, but it also has caused an immense amount of strain on families who struggled and continue to struggle with the changing conditions and schedules that are outside of their control. 

The desire to want a break while under these kinds of stress is normal. It is time we recognized more positively that people need quality breaks. They need moments of quiet, of stillness and of aloneness. Jesus sought it. We each need to seek it. God speaks to us in the quiet of our heart. We have to take the time to be still so we can listen.

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

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The Cultivation of Interior Devotion

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The parable Christ tells in today’s Gospel would have been difficult for the people of His time. There were strict laws on what constituted clean food and unclean food but now Jesus is telling them that all foods are clean. In doing so, He seemingly contradicts or defies the law. Even the apostles wonder at His words. His explanation to the apostles helps us understand the purpose of the law in relation to our interior disposition. 

Laws do not exist for their own sake. That is to say that the reason for the law regarding clean and unclean foods is not simply to limit the food that the people could eat. Rather, they exist to cultivate the interior spiritual dispositions of the people. Therefore, what seems to be Christ’s abandonment of the law regarding clean and unclean food, is really a fulfillment of that law. He fulfills this law by focusing on what it is meant for. Namely, their interior devotion, not their exterior display of piety. 

The idea was that whatever we allow into our bodies is also what we produce. The same thing is true for our minds and hearts. If we allow “evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly” into our minds and hearts, we will produce all those evil things. 

Are there evil things we allow to infiltrate our peace of mind and our hearts of charity? The spirit of gossip or selfishness or judgment? Are there times when we get caught up in the distractions of our world that we forget that we are meant to be the light of Christ to others? 

May we always remember that we are meant to show Christ to others through our example of living a virtue-driven life. May we always strive to live intentionally and cultivate virtue in our relationships, vocations, jobs, and all other interactions.

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Dakota currently lives in Denver, CO and teaches English Language Development and Spanish to high schoolers. She is married to the love of her life, Ralph. In her spare time, she reads, goes to breweries, and watches baseball. Dakota’s favorite saints are St. John Paul II (how could it not be?) and St. José Luis Sánchez del Río. She is passionate about her faith and considers herself blessed at any opportunity to share that faith with others. Check out more of her writing at https://dakotaleonard16.blogspot.com.

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Far From Him

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Today we have the classic verse that people sometimes use to say that Jesus doesn’t care about the law as long as you are a good person. Of course, this couldn’t be further from the truth, but it does warrant some explanation and critical thinking. 

Last year when my wife and I took a class on the Old Testament it became very clear how important laws were to the people in the ancient near east. If you don’t believe me just read through the book of Leviticus and you will see what I mean. These laws were put in place to bring people back into holiness. 

Now you may be thinking to yourself, why would they need laws? If they only had love, those laws would be obsolete right? In a perfect world the answer is yes, but they were freed from slavery in Egypt and then pretty quickly started worshipping the golden calf. Human beings, you and I included, need a lot of help in order to be holy. 

In the time of the Old Testament this help was given through physical action that God asked them to do (laws) like various cleansing rituals. Today, this help is given to us through grace from the sacraments, still physical actions that communicate spiritual realities. So what does all of this background have to do with today’s reading? Jesus warns the Pharisees that they honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from him. In other words, they look religious on the outside, but they don’t have a personal relationship. 

We should take note and apply this to our scenario today of the sacraments. When we go to Mass do we just say the words or do we worship God? When we ask to get married in the Church are we trying to make our parents happy or do we want God to be a focal point of our relationship? Let’s be sure that our worship is not empty platitudes, but that we desire an intimate relationship with God in all moments. Then the “laws and rules” become less about what we are doing and more about what God is doing in us. From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!

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

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Verdant

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There is a lot to unpack in the 4 sentences that make up today’s Gospel. The word verdant has stayed with me throughout my prayer, reflection and study. During my reflection there were times I could even smell rich loamy soil and picture a lush valley, the land full of an abundance of vegetation and animal life.

Gennesaret has been described in this way for centuries and into the mid-twentieth century. When Jesus and the disciples disembarked in Gennesaret, ‘people immediately recognized Him.’

The people of this valley had a rich and deep faith in God and the Torah. They had heard of the miracles that recently happened in the area. In their hearts they knew Jesus was the messiah because of their knowledge and wisdom from reading, hearing, and study of sacred Scriptures. They had faith and believed. The people brought the sick and begged that they might touch the tassel on his cloak. “Those who had touched it were healed.”

There have been times when I have prayed to the Lord for intervention during a terrible storm. I know He heard the prayers being offered and parted the storm on two separate, distinct occasions. I had been on youth trips; one to a retreat in Ohio, the other to do service. In both instances the conditions were perfect for tornados while thunderstorms were exploding all around us. The rain had begun to come in sideways. I could smell ozone in the air while seeing the sky take on a green or deep purple hue.

Our gathering place in each situation was in the direct path of a huge storm. The Saturday evening praise and worship was interrupted and all gathered under the big tent were able to safely evacuate to the residence halls down the hill. Through the night the storm raged. In the morning we saw the winds had tossed a few chairs and some equipment but we were all thankful and rejoicing that God is good, all the time.

The morning after the second storm we listened to the radio while driving to our site across town. The weather anchors in St. Louis were surprised that a storm of such size actually split in half. It brought clear skies with much lower temperatures to the region and the service groups completed their work in seventy degree weather instead of the forecasted low hundreds for which we had planned. 

I know what I experienced. I listened to the words of others who were witnesses. I have faith in the Lord, His works, His Son, the Holy Spirit, Sacred Scripture and the Catholic Church. I believe that miracles happened then and now. What about you?

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

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United in the Mass, Today’s Fishers of Men

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In today’s First Reading from Isaiah, we hear something similar to that said in the Mass: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!”

I am currently participating in a church group reviewing Dr. Edward Sri’s “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass”. I highly encourage everyone to look at this book (also available in a video companion format) to gain a deeper understanding of Christ’s sacrifice for us, which we re-enter during every Mass. 

As we again see in today’s Gospel, we must continually recognize that Christ died for our sins and rose. Through our true faith in this, we can then preach the good news and help others to believe, being “Fishers of Men” as the Apostles were 2000 years ago. 

The Church continues to live today, and the Mass is the epitome of our relationship with the living Christ. We are not condemned by our sins, as Isaiah says, ““See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” Rather, we are saved by His eternal grace, His Divine Mercy, if only we come to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.

Jesus is the epitome of the Word and He evangelizes through the Disciples, sharing His message of love for all people. He asks us to do the same, though this again may be a formidable task for us if we are not truly dedicated to His teachings. Fear and distraction may often offset us from following His instruction. May we pray for His guidance for strength to act as the Apostles did, having inspiration and living in the joy of His peace, which is all glorious and eternal. We can then truly unite ourselves in Christ answering as Isaiah did, “Here I am,” I said; “send me!”.

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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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