We most closely image God when we are in union with one another. It is together, in the giving and receiving of love, that we image God and give others a glimpse of His great love.
Today the Old Testament gives us also the imagery of Jerusalem as a nursing mother. The Church is the new Jerusalem and Mother Church feeds the world when we, within the Church, share of our very selves. But we cannot share what we don’t have, this is why we must practice our faith. Practice in the same way we use the word when we talk about practicing a skill. I am not saying faith is a skill, but living out our faith is made more fruitful when we stretch our “faith muscles” and that happens with practice.
We practice when we attend Mass, not from a sense of obligation, but from a desire to open ourselves up further to Jesus Christ. We practice when we extend attending Mass, not just on Sunday but as part of our daily lives. We practice when we receive Jesus Christ, not simply as part of a sacred ritual, but so that He is able to transform us. We practice when we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation so we are better prepared to receive God’s graces. We practice when we take time to be alone with God. We practice when we read Scripture and the Church Fathers. We practice when we pray, write, and listen quietly. The more we practice, the more are we are prepared to do His will.
What’s more, we don’t do these things for our benefit alone. We do them so that like the disciples in today’s Gospel, we are prepared to carry God’s peace and mercy out into the world. We may not perform miracles or cast out demons, but we can lighten another’s load. We can notice those who need our smile or our hand. We can walk alongside those who haven’t yet experienced God’s grace and peace and share what we have received. For those who don’t want that, we shake the dust from our feet and move on so that in all we do we maintain our peace. Then we can rejoice with the original disciples, not because spirits are subject to us, but because our name too will be written in heaven.
After all, isn’t that our goal, to get to heaven and bring along as many people as possible? Let’s practice for that union now and get a glimpse of heaven here on earth.
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Hacemos mejor representación de Dios cuando estamos en unión el uno con el otro. Estando juntos, en el dar y recibir amor, reflejamos a Dios y les damos a otros un vistazo de Su gran amor.
Hoy el Antiguo Testamento nos da también la imagen de Jerusalén como madre lactante. La Iglesia es la nueva Jerusalén y la Madre Iglesia alimenta al mundo cuando nosotros, dentro de la Iglesia, compartimos de nosotros mismos. Pero no podemos compartir lo que no tenemos, por eso debemos practicar nuestra fe. Hablo de la práctica de la misma forma cuando hablamos de practicar una habilidad. No estoy diciendo que la fe sea una habilidad, pero vivir nuestra fe se vuelve más fructífero cuando estiramos nuestros “músculos de fe” y eso sucede con la práctica.
Practicamos cuando asistimos a Misa, no por un sentido de obligación, sino por un deseo de abrirnos más a Jesucristo. Practicamos cuando extendemos la asistencia a Misa, no solo los domingos sino como parte de nuestra vida diaria. Practicamos cuando recibimos a Jesucristo, no simplemente como parte de un ritual sagrado, sino para que Él pueda transformarnos. Practicamos cuando recibimos el Sacramento de la Reconciliación para estar mejor preparados para recibir las gracias de Dios. Practicamos cuando tomamos tiempo para estar a solas con Dios. Practicamos cuando leemos las Escrituras y los Padres de la Iglesia. Practicamos cuando oramos, escribimos y escuchamos en silencio. Mientras más practicamos, más preparados estamos para hacer Su voluntad.
Además, no hacemos estas cosas solo para nuestro beneficio. Las hacemos para que, como los discípulos en el Evangelio de hoy, estemos preparados para llevar la paz y la misericordia de Dios al mundo. Puede que no hagamos milagros ni expulsemos demonios, pero podemos aligerar la carga de los demás. Podemos fijarnos en aquellos que necesitan nuestra sonrisa o nuestra mano. Podemos caminar junto a aquellos que aún no han experimentado la gracia y la paz de Dios y compartir lo que hemos recibido. Para los que no quieren eso, nos sacudimos el polvo de los pies y seguimos adelante para que en todo lo que hagamos mantengamos la paz. Entonces podremos regocijarnos con los primeros discípulos, no porque los espíritus estén sujetos a nosotros, sino porque nuestros nombres también estarán escritos en el cielo.
Después de todo, ¿no es ese nuestro objetivo, llegar al cielo y traer a muchas personas con nosotros? Practiquemos para esa unión ahora y echemos un vistazo al cielo aquí en la tierra.
Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy.
Feature Image Credit: amorsanto, www.cathopic.com/photo/5629-compartiendo-fe-comunidad-
Arthur Richardson is married to his wonderful wife, Gabby Richardson. Most of his work experience is in ministry. He was a retreat missionary in Wisconsin for two years and a youth minister for three years. He is now the Web Project Manager here at Diocesan, and loves it!
Kathryn James Hermes, FSP, is the author of the newly released title
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 
Leslie Sholly is a Catholic, Southern wife and mother of five, living in her hometown, Knoxville, Tennessee. She graduated from Georgetown University with an English major and Theology minor. She blogs at 
Deacon Dan Schneider is a retired general manager of industrial distributors. He and his wife Vicki have been married for over 50 years. They are the parents of eight children and thirty grandchildren. He has a degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2002. He has a passion for working with engaged and married couples and his main ministry has been preparing couples for marriage.
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 3-year-old who teaches him what the colors of Father’s chasubles mean. He 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.
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 
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 
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 
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