I have been reading a lot about sourdough bread lately. There is something about the entire process and the science behind it that intrigues me. Sourdough begins with a starter, which is essentially a thin dough made of wild yeasts and bacteria. One of the natural ways to make a starter is just by mixing flour and water together and then setting it next to a bowl of fruit. What is most interesting to me is that the cup of water and flour picks up so much from its environment. The proximity with the natural bacteria from the fruit changes it from simple ingredients into dough that is a living organism.
The things we surround ourselves with matter. The things we do also matter, not only to us but to those around us. Following this thought pattern, we recognize that sin is never private.
In today’s first reading we hear about how the Colossians were hostile and alienated because of their sins. Sometimes we may think certain sins are done in private or that they don’t hurt anyone, but just like that sourdough starter, we can be impacted by others or others can be impacted by us even when we don’t realize it is happening. We may think we have gotten away with something when we feel that our sin is secret, but think about how sin affects us. It makes us angry and irritable because we feel guilt and regret.
We certainly aren’t living our best lives after we sin. Which version of yourself do you think the world would mostly profit from? The sinful you or the you that is most fully and completely alive in Christ? I propose it’s the latter.
I suspect that is why Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is easy to think we are loving others, but if we are constantly turning our backs on God and rejecting His grace then how could we possibly love others to our fullest potential? Thankfully, we are told in the first reading that we have been reconciled. We can now be presented to God and to our neighbors without blemish because of his victory over death. He is the one who makes it possible not only to overcome sin, but to love our neighbors, our families, and our communities.
Let’s pray for the grace today to see sin as the ugly thing that it is. Let’s become aware that it hurts relationships and wounds love for our fellow man. Let’s then focus on the love of Christ and what He did for us on the cross as we make the decision to share that love with the world.
From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!
Últimamente he estado leyendo mucho sobre el pan de masa fermentada. Hay algo en todo el proceso y la ciencia que lo sustenta que me intriga. La masa fermentada comienza con una masa madre, que es esencialmente una masa fina hecha de levaduras silvestres y bacterias. Una de las maneras naturales de hacer una masa madre es simplemente mezclar harina y agua y luego colocarla junto a un tazón de fruta. Lo más interesante para mí es que el vaso de agua y harina absorbe mucho de su entorno. La proximidad con las bacterias naturales de la fruta la transforma de simples ingredientes a una masa que es un organismo vivo.
Las cosas con las que nos rodeamos importan. Las cosas que hacemos también importan, no solo para nosotros sino para quienes nos rodean. Siguiendo con esa línea de pensamiento, reconocemos que el pecado nunca es privado.
En la primera lectura de hoy escuchamos cómo los colosenses eran hostiles y se sentían alienados debido a sus pecados. A veces pensamos que ciertos pecados se cometen en privado o que no dañan a nadie, pero al igual que esa masa madre, podemos ser impactados por otros, o ellos pueden ser impactados por nosotros, incluso sin darnos cuenta. Podemos pensar que nos hemos salido con la nuestra cuando sentimos que nuestro pecado es secreto, pero pensemos en cómo nos afecta el pecado. Nos enoja e irrita porque sentimos culpa y arrepentimiento.
Ciertamente, no vivimos nuestras mejores vidas después de pecar. ¿De qué versión de ti crees que el mundo se beneficiaría más? ¿De tu yo pecador o de tu yo más pleno y completamente vivo en Cristo? Propongo que sea este último.
Supongo que por eso Jesús nos llama a amar al prójimo como a nosotros mismos. Es fácil pensar que amamos a los demás, pero si constantemente le damos la espalda a Dios y rechazamos su gracia, ¿cómo vamos a poder amar a los demás al máximo? Afortunadamente, la primera lectura nos dice que hemos sido reconciliados. Ahora podemos presentarnos ante Dios y al prójimo sin mancha, gracias a su victoria sobre la muerte. Él es quien nos permite no solo vencer el pecado, sino también amar al prójimo, a nuestras familias y a nuestras comunidades.
Oremos hoy por la gracia de ver el pecado como la cosa horrible que es. Tomemos conciencia de que daña las relaciones y hiere el amor al prójimo. Luego centrémonos en el amor de Cristo y en lo que hizo por nosotros en la cruz al tomar la decisión de compartir ese amor con el mundo.
De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios los bendiga!
Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”
Feature Image Credit: Nick Fewings, unsplash.com/photos/black-and-white-number-10-IJabYCfWp0Y
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.
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 
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.
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!
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 
David Dashiell is a freelance author and editor in the Nashville, Tennessee area. He has three children, a degree in theology, and enjoys writing about philosophy, theology, culture, music, and comedy. You can find his personal blog, Serious Daydreams, on 
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.
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 
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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