Posted on

Follow the Lord / Seguir al Señor

Click here for daily readings

In writing these blog posts, it can be so easy for me to fall into the trap discussed in today’s Gospel. While I am a member of the laity, these blog posts make me someone preaching the Word to others, even as I mess up. I write about how to better follow the Lord, yet I see myself stumble and fall. I’m sure any of you who know me in real life know that I am most certainly not perfect. Yet, it is in my faults that I find the most precious grace of the Lord and where my faith pushes me with persistence to aspire to grow in my relationship with Christ Jesus. 

This grace of knowing I follow the Lord, not people of the Lord, is what makes me unafraid to discuss my faith with my friends. When they attack the fallenness of the Church instead of the Lord, I can see the pain that has been caused in their hearts by imperfect (as we all are) Christians. I have so many friends that have turned away from their faith not because of any issue with God, Himself, but because they have been wounded by the words and actions of those they looked up to in the Church or in their lives. Sometimes it was a parent using Scripture out of context or a prideful friend shaming their non-Christian friend. Sadly, these human actions and reactions, while inexcusable, turn people away from the Lord. 

However, I have also seen many people healed of their spiritual wounds. I have talked to a woman who forgave the man who killed her husband… and is now best friends with his wife and has been working in prison ministry for over 20+ years. I have seen years of anger replaced by the Father’s love and radically change a person and those around them. I have seen the least likely person to be a Catholic… become one of the most faithful Catholics I know. I have seen couples that, by walking closer in faith with Christ, wildly strengthen their marriage for years to come. 

It is through Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice that I am saved. It is by God’s unending mercy that I am offered salvation. It is through the Holy Spirit’s guidance that I am called to have a deeper relationship with My Lord and My God. 

So when you go out after reading today’s Gospel, remember to follow the Lord, not just the people. 

Contact the Author

Al escribir estas publicaciones de blog, puede ser muy fácil para mí caer en la trampa discutida en el Evangelio de hoy. Si bien soy una laica, estas publicaciones de blog me convierten en alguien que predica la Palabra a los demás, incluso cuando me equivoco. Escribo sobre cómo seguir mejor al Señor, pero me veo tropezar y caer. Estoy segura de que cualquiera de ustedes que me conoce en la vida real sabe que ciertamente no soy perfecta. Sin embargo, es en mis faltas donde encuentro la gracia más preciosa del Señor y donde mi fe me empuja con persistencia a aspirar a crecer en mi relación con Cristo Jesús.

Esta gracia de saber que sigo al Señor, no al pueblo del Señor, es lo que me hace no tener miedo de hablar de mi fe con mis amigos. Cuando atacan a la Iglesia decaída en lugar del Señor, puedo ver el dolor que han causado en sus corazones los cristianos imperfectos (como todos somos). Tengo tantos amigos que se han apartado de su fe no por ningún problema con Dios mismo, sino porque han sido heridos por las palabras y acciones de aquellos a quienes admiraban en la Iglesia o en sus vidas. A veces era uno de sus padres que usaba las Escrituras fuera de contexto o un amigo orgulloso que avergonzaba a su amigo no cristiano. Lamentablemente, estas acciones y reacciones humanas, aunque inexcusables, alejan a la gente del Señor.

Sin embargo, también he visto a muchas personas sanadas de sus heridas espirituales. He hablado con una mujer que perdonó al hombre que mató a su esposo… y ahora es la mejor amiga de su esposa y ha estado trabajando en el ministerio de prisiones por más de 20 años. He visto años de ira reemplazada por el amor del Padre y cambiar radicalmente a una persona y a quienes la rodean. He visto a la persona con menos probabilidades de ser católico… convertirse en uno de los católicos más fieles que conozco. He visto parejas que, al caminar más cerca en la fe con Cristo, fortalecen enormemente su matrimonio en los años venideros.

Es a través del último sacrificio de Jesús que soy salvo. Es por la misericordia infinita de Dios que se me ofrece la salvación. Es a través de la guía del Espíritu Santo que estoy llamada a tener una relación más profunda con Mi Señor y Mi Dios.

Así que cuando salgas afuera después de leer el Evangelio de hoy, recuerda seguir al Señor, no solo a la gente.

Comunicarse con la autora

Image Credit: Dev Benjamin, https://unsplash.com/photos/voIzq8LEdlo

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. 

Posted on

Creation / La Creación

Click here for daily readings

Sometimes I get so excited about the readings. It’s silly because I’ve heard most, if not all, of them before, but there’s something about how the readings are always exactly what you need, when you need it. Today’s reading is no different. 

There is one thing that stuck out to me the most from today’s First Reading:

  1. God created.

Again, I feel so silly stating the obvious as a giant epiphany, but it really was an epiphany for me today! 

Nearly every Christian knows the biblical story of creation. God said “Let there be light” and BOOM, there was light. It just gets even better from there. He creates day and night. He creates water and the sky. He creates soil and plants. He creates the sun and the moon. He creates the stars and the seasons. Again, that’s just the beginning! As if it wasn’t enough that He created all this beauty, he goes on to create animals and man (us!). 

I’ve traveled a good amount and I am always in awe of how much beauty there is in the natural world. Have you ever been on a mountaintop and been above the clouds? Have you ever seen a life-filled canyon that seems to go on for miles? Have you ever seen the northern lights? The northern lights literally move me to tears, and I’ve only seen them in videos! 

There is so much beauty in this world that God created for us and sometimes I forget about it. I don’t take walks as often as I should. I don’t spend much time getting lost in the beauty of watching a plant grow a new leaf and sprout up. I don’t revel in the fact that the sun came up today with beautiful colors and then went down with a whole different view of splendor. 

Today, let’s just thank the Lord for all He has created for us. Let’s give Him gratitude for giving us another day and a ground to walk on. Let’s praise Him for giving us animals to watch and pets to love. Let’s look at our favorite humans, or even ourselves in the mirror, and be amazed by the creation of man. We breathe without thinking. Our hearts know just what to do and when they don’t… we have other humans to thank for the gift of technologies that allow us to spend more time on this beautiful earth. And when it’s our time to go to our heavenly home… Thank the Lord for all He gave us on earth… because it’s only the beginning. 

Contact the Author

A veces me emociono mucho con las lecturas. Es un poco chistoso porque he escuchado la mayoría, si no todos, de ellos antes, pero hay algo acerca de cómo las lecturas siempre son exactamente lo que necesito, cuando lo necesito. La lectura de hoy no es nada diferente.

Hay una cosa que me llamó más la atención de la primera lectura de hoy: Dios creó.

Nuevamente, me siento un poco chistosa al decir lo obvio como una gran epifanía, ¡pero realmente fue una epifanía para mí hoy!

Casi todos los cristianos conocen la historia bíblica de la creación. Dios dijo “Que exista la luz” y BOOM, hubo luz. Y de ahí se pone aún mejor. Crea el día y la noche. Crea el agua y el cielo. Crea la tierra y las plantas. Crea el sol y la luna. Crea las estrellas y las estaciones. Nuevamente, ¡eso es solo el comienzo! Como si no fuera suficiente que creyera toda esta belleza, continúa creando a los animales y el hombre (¡nosotros!).

He viajado mucho y siempre me asombra la cantidad de belleza que hay en el mundo natural. ¿Alguna vez has estado en la cima de una montaña y has estado por encima de las nubes? ¿Alguna vez has visto un cañón lleno de vida que parece extenderse por millas? ¿Alguna vez has visto la aurora boreal? Las auroras boreales literalmente me conmueven hasta las lágrimas, ¡y solo las he visto en videos!

Hay tanta belleza en este mundo que Dios creó para nosotros y a veces me olvido de eso. No salgo a caminar tan a menudo como debería. No paso mucho tiempo perdiéndome en la belleza de ver a una planta desarrollar una nueva hoja y brotar. No me deleito en el hecho de que el sol salió hoy con hermosos colores y luego se puso con una vista completamente diferente de esplendor.

Hoy, demos gracias al Señor por todo lo que ha creado para nosotros. Démosle gracias por darnos otro día y un terreno para caminar. Alabemos a Dios por darnos animales para cuidar y mascotas para amar. Miremos a nuestros seres queridos favoritos, o incluso a nosotros mismos en el espejo para sorprendernos con la creación del hombre. Respiramos sin pensar. Nuestros corazones saben exactamente qué hacer y cuándo no… gracias a Dios tenemos a otros seres humanos que nos han regalado las tecnologías que nos permiten pasar más tiempo en esta hermosa tierra. Y cuando sea nuestro tiempo de ir a nuestro hogar celestial… Gracias al Señor por todo lo que nos dio en la tierra… porque es solo el comienzo.

Comunicarse con la autora

Image Credit: Visit Greenland, www.pexels.com/photo/aurora-borealis-360912/

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. 

Posted on

The Son of Adam, the Son of God / El Hijo de Adán, el Hijo de Dios

Click here for daily readings

There are multiple Gospel options for today. The first is that of John the Baptist proclaiming the coming of Jesus, of someone “mightier than I.” The second is the lineage of Jesus, which is one that I personally love. Well, now I love it. 

As a child, sitting in Mass, I definitely didn’t want a list of names read in a droning voice because as a child, I didn’t get it. I wasn’t yet old enough to understand the amazing gravity of what was being read to me. I was hearing a list of just how human Jesus was. Yes, He is divine in a way that we, as humans, can’t even comprehend, but He is also 100% human. He was born from a woman, into a family, and grew up as a human, among humans. He was the son of a carpenter and lived as a common man. All so we could be saved. 

My friend recently reframed it in a totally new light. Imagine having a child that you are so close with and love so much. Now imagine telling them, “Alright, my darling, I’m going to turn you into an ant. So you’ll be birthed… as an ant. To an ant. In an ant colony. Also, you’ll be a worker ant and you’re not invincible, so just know that you, too, will die.”  

Jesus had these amazing gifts of His Father, of unlimited love and strength and power, and yet he became human! He became human. 

So when it says, “The son of Adam, the son of God” it reminds me that you and I truly are the children of God, just as Jesus was. Not in the exact same way, of course, but as a powerful reminder that Jesus was just as human as we are. He had strong emotions, he had high stress, he had friends and people who hated him. In his daily life, he struggled just as we do. 

The difference is that in all he did, he turned to his Father. Throughout the Bible, we hear so often that when Jesus is stressed out, when he is overwhelmed by the crowds, and even when everything seems to be going great… He pulls away from people, from his friends, from the crowds… and retreats into the solitude and silence of prayer with his Father. 

So, today, think of your favorite quiet place to be alone and try to find some time to do the same. Take some time to leave the busyness, the chaos, the overwhelming loudness of the world and spend time in the quiet with the Lord. Just sit with the Lord in all your humanity and rely on Him for all your needs, as human as they are.

Contact the Author

Hay múltiples opciones del Evangelio para hoy. La primera es la de Juan Bautista anunciando la venida de Jesús, de alguien “más poderoso que yo”. El segundo es el linaje de Jesús, que a mí me encanta. Bueno, me encanta ahora.

Cuando era niña, sentada en Misa, definitivamente no quería que se leyera una lista de nombres con voz monótona porque cuando era niña, no lo entendía. Todavía no tenía la edad suficiente para comprender la asombrosa gravedad de lo que me estaban leyendo. Estaba escuchando una lista de cuán humano era Jesús. Sí, Él es divino de una manera que nosotros, como humanos, ni siquiera podemos comprender, pero también es 100% humano. Nació de una mujer, en una familia, y creció como humano, entre humanos. Era hijo de un carpintero y vivía como un hombre común. Todo para que pudiéramos ser salvos.

Mi amigo lo reformuló recientemente de una forma totalmente nueva. Imagina tener un hijo con el que eres tan cercano y amas tanto. Ahora imagina decirles: “Está bien, cariño, te voy a convertir en una hormiga. Entonces nacerás como hormiga de una hormiga, en una colonia de hormigas. Además, serás una hormiga obrera y no eres invencible, así que debes saber que tú también morirás”.

Jesús tenía estos maravillosos dones de Su Padre, de amor, fuerza y ​​poder ilimitados, ¡y sin embargo se hizo humano! Se hizo humano.

Entonces, cuando dice: “El hijo de Adán, el hijo de Dios”, me recuerda que tú y yo verdaderamente somos hijos de Dios, tal como lo fue Jesús. No exactamente de la misma manera, por supuesto, sino como un poderoso recordatorio de que Jesús era tan humano como nosotros. Tenía emociones fuertes, tenía mucho estrés, tenía amigos y gente que lo odiaba. En su vida diaria, luchó al igual que nosotros.

La diferencia es que en todo lo que hizo, se volvió hacia su Padre. A lo largo de la Biblia, escuchamos tan a menudo que cuando Jesús está estresado, cuando está abrumado por la multitud, e incluso cuando todo parece ir bien, se aleja de la gente, de sus amigos, de la multitud y se retira a solas en silencio para orar con su Padre.

Entonces, hoy, piensa en tu lugar tranquilo favorito donde te gusta estar solo y trata de encontrar un poco de tiempo para hacer lo mismo. Tómate un tiempo para dejar el ajetreo, el caos, el ruido abrumador del mundo y pasar tiempo en silencio con el Señor. Simplemente siéntate con el Señor en toda su humanidad y confía en Él para todas tus necesidades humanas.

Comunicarse con la autora

Image Credit: www.pexels.com/photo/bench-under-trees-269176/

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. 

Posted on

Shepherds / Los Pastores

Click here for daily readings

As the eldest child, I was born into a leadership role and have continued to have more leadership roles as I’ve grown older. In leadership roles, it’s easy to get an inflated ego. People are asking you questions, asking for advice, and needing your presence and validation. But someone once told me that a great leader is not someone who makes themselves look more successful; A great leader is someone that makes others feel more successful. Moreover, a great leader is someone that makes the “lowest” or “outcast” feel included and successful. 

In the First Reading, we are immediately thrown into a passage in which the leaders have not been good leaders so they are being punished. Not only have they led their people astray but they have also left them to their own devices. No right, no wrong, no direction. This passage also reminds us that the LORD is our shepherd. In one fell swoop, we learn about the consequences of not being a good leader, but also get a quick reminder that it is not man that we should expect to lead us, but the Lord. 

Of course, this brought the parable of the lost sheep back to the forefront of my mind. In Luke 15, Jesus uses this example to share that even if 99 of the sheep are safe and herded, we should go looking for the one sheep that is lost. Then, once the lost sheep is found, there is rejoicing. That is being a good leader and a good, fellow Christian. 

I think both of today’s readings tie into that parable since they serve as reminders to us to not only bring that one lost person back to the faith and be Christ’s love to them, but also that we should not be prideful and think, “Well, it’s not my fault they got lost. Maybe if they were like me and went to Church and prayed, then they wouldn’t be lost.” But this is not being humble. That is selfishness, pride, and jealousy. 

Upon further reflection, I’m left looking at where I have failed to be a humble servant of the Lord and humble leader to His people. Have I left my parents and those older than me to their own devices because “they don’t need to be reminded to go to Mass since they’re older and wiser”? Have I avoided Christian conversation with certain people because my pride tells me that I will look ignorant of the Bible? Have I let others fall because I thought they deserved it? What other ways have I not acted out of love, because it was what felt easier? 

Ask yourself; What kind of shepherd am I? 

Heavenly Father, we humbly come to you and ask for your assistance.
Help us to avoid selfishness, pride, and jealousy
so we can minister to your flock, our fellow brothers and sisters.
Give us strength to put our egos aside,
so we may do what is right, not what is easy.
Be with us in each step so that we are not afraid
to leave the 99 and find the 1,
so we may rejoice with you once found.
Amen. 

Contact the Author

Como hija mayor, nací con un rol de liderazgo y he seguido teniendo más roles de liderazgo a medida que crecía. Con roles de liderazgo, es fácil tener un ego inflado. Las personas te hacen preguntas, te piden consejos y necesitan tu presencia y validación. Pero alguien me dijo una vez que un gran líder no es alguien que se hace ver más exitoso; Un gran líder es alguien que hace que los demás se sientan más exitosos. Además, un gran líder es alguien que hace que los “menospreciados” o los “marginados” se sientan incluidos y exitosos.

En la Primera Lectura, somos arrojados inmediatamente a un pasaje en el que los líderes no han sido buenos líderes, por lo que están siendo castigados. No solo han descarriado a su pueblo, sino que también los han dejado a su suerte. No hay bien, no hay mal, no hay dirección. Este pasaje también nos recuerda que el Señor es nuestro pastor. De un solo golpe, aprendemos acerca de las consecuencias de no ser un buen líder, pero también recibimos un rápido recordatorio de que no es el hombre quien debemos esperar que nos guíe, sino el Señor.

Por supuesto, esto trajo al frente de mi mente la parábola de la oveja perdida. En Lucas 15, Jesús usa este ejemplo para compartir que incluso si 99 de las ovejas están a salvo y pastoreadas, debemos ir a buscar la oveja que se perdió. Entonces, una vez que se encuentra la oveja perdida, hay regocijo. Eso es ser un buen líder y un buen compañero cristiano.

Creo que las dos lecturas de hoy se relacionan con esa parábola, ya que nos sirven como recordatorios no solo para traer de vuelta a la fe a esa persona perdida y ser el amor de Cristo para ellos, sino también que no debemos ser orgullosos y pensar: “Bueno, no es mi culpa que se hayan perdido. Tal vez si fueran como yo y fueran a la iglesia y oraran, entonces no se perderían”. Pero esto no es ser humilde. Eso es egoísmo, orgullo y celos.

Después de reflexionar más, me quedo viendo dónde he fallado en ser un humilde siervo del Señor y un humilde líder para Su pueblo. ¿He dejado a mis padres y a los que son mayores que yo solos porque “no necesitan que les recuerden ir a misa porque son mayores y más sabios”? ¿He evitado la conversación cristiana con ciertas personas porque mi orgullo me dice que pareceré ignorante de la Biblia? ¿He dejado caer a otros porque pensé que se lo merecían? ¿De cuales otras formas no he actuado por amor, porque era lo que me parecía más fácil?

Pregúntese; ¿Qué tipo de pastor soy?

Padre Celestial, humildemente venimos a ti y te pedimos tu ayuda.
Ayúdanos a evitar el egoísmo, el orgullo y los celos
para que podamos ser ministros a tu rebaño, nuestros hermanos y hermanas.
Danos fuerza para dejar de lado nuestros egos,
para que podamos hacer lo correcto, no lo fácil.
Acompáñanos en cada paso para que no tengamos miedo
para dejar al 99 para encontrar el 1,
para que podamos regocijarnos contigo una vez que te encontremos.
Amén.

Comunicarse con la autora

Image Credit: Sergio Martínez, unsplash.com/photos/1eqDa8UXSPs

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. 

Posted on

What Makes You Think That You’re So Special?

Click here for daily readings

I have the good fortune to work in an office that is on the same grounds as a Catholic retreat center. Because of this, I often come into contact with a lot of great Christ-centered wisdom. This past week, a woman was staying in one of the rooms below my office and I talked to her when I walked into work, on my lunch breaks, and then when I left work. Over these short, passing conversations, I felt the Lord calling me to take the time to talk with her, to truly give her my time, so one day before leaving work, I knocked on her door to chat. 

This woman shared with me that nearly six years ago, she was given another shot at life. She suffered an embolism that should have killed her, or left her with only 6 months to live, but instead, the doctors working her case considered her a miracle. 

She knew it was a miracle. She knew it was a miracle because as soon as she was given her diagnosis, she prayed and immediately felt peace. Enough peace to make jokes with the nurses as she was life-flighted from one hospital to another. She knew it was God and it changed everything. 

Still…she told me that there was someone in her life, someone she considered a good  friend, that told her, “What makes you think you’re so special that God would want to save YOUR life?” At first, it hurt her to think that her friend didn’t think that she was special. Then it hurt her heart even more when she realized that her friend didn’t know that she was also so special that God wanted to save her life, too. 

This woman’s realization is something I have not been able to stop thinking about. How many times have I failed to realize that I am so special that God wants to save my life. In fact, He sent His only Son to be arrested, ridiculed, crucified, stabbed, and ultimately face death… all to save me. All to save you. 

As we prepare for the Easter Triduum, let us stop and marvel at the fact that our God, our Father, loves us so dearly and wants to save us so badly, that Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice… and then CONQUERED THE GRAVE for our sins! He wants to wash away the shame, the fear, the sadness, and all we have to do is say “yes.”

So forget “What makes you think you’re so special that God would want to save your life?” because the better question is “What makes you think that an all-loving, all-powerful God wouldn’t want to save your life?” God is calling us. By name. So why don’t we listen this time?

Contact the Author

Image Credit: Mert Talay, https://unsplash.com/photos/KYZoOmpn1Aw

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. 

Posted on

Be Better

Click here for daily readings

We are in the middle of Holy Week, people! Less than a week until Easter! Less than a week until we commemorate the greatest gift of all! Is your soul refreshed? Are your hopes and desires getting you a step closer to heaven? Can you feel the deep waves of forgiveness pulling you into God’s great ocean of peace?  

If your answer is without a doubt yes, then please, do tell me your secrets. I feel like I have done my best to be prepared for the memorial of Jesus’ resurrection, but I wouldn’t say that I’m 100 percent heaven-ready. Luckily, God understands that we are not perfect by default and has given us the Bible as a tool to use.

As I read over today’s first reading, it sounds like just the kind of quick guide that I need. I have a tongue, so I should speak to the weary. I have ears, so I should listen to the true word of Christ. My body, though beaten by people that make fun of me and scoff at my beliefs, has the Lord God at my side to hold me up. Going into the responsorial Psalm, we ask, “Lord, in your great love, answer me,” as we admit to being weak, picked on, an outcast, insulted. We praise him because we are thankful, but our thanks must go further than just words. It should be evident in our actions.

As Catholics, we must understand that we will always have more to strive for. Our God challenges us in everyday situations to step up and live out our faith, whether it is with the people around us or in our own hearts. Instead of seeing our faith as a burden or as an annoyance (because sometimes we do), we should instead see it as an opportunity to become a better person. Instead of trying to please our critics, society, or our parents, we should try to become someone our heavenly Father would be proud of.

So if your Lent didn’t go as planned, know that it’s okay because it is a journey. As you attend each Mass this Holy Week, ask God for what you need. Ask Him to bless your body with the skills and strengths you need. He wants you to succeed and is willing to give you the tools because He wants nothing more than to be in communion with Him in heaven. It is a simple matter of who you want to be and if you are willing to work on it. Do you want to be better? Will you allow your Lenten sacrifice to carry on after Sunday and continue to bring you closer to God? Or will you allow Jesus’ Lenten sacrifice be for nothing?

Contact the Author

Image Credit: Volodymyr Hyshchenko, https://unsplash.com/photos/L0oJ4Dlfyuo

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. 

Posted on

Mercy, Thank God

Click here for daily readings

How great is our God that he is so merciful! In today’s Responsorial Psalm, we repeat, “Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.” I know that I am, personally, so blessed with a wonderful life in which I can see God’s little miracles that shaped my life and got me to where I am today. Still, I know that I am no angel. I am not perfect nor anywhere near it. I know that I am not excused from confession. But I also know that my God offers me mercy, even when I feel that I do not deserve it. Looking at the Bible, we know that many a murder, an adulterer, a thief, have become followers of Christ after encountering a miracle and witnessing the Living God. 

Now, God’s mercy is not a cop out. It is not for us to see and say, “Well, I’ll repent on my deathbed and I’ll be golden.” Number one, we never know when we may die. Number two, that is not living the life that the Lord calls us to! No, instead we are called to genuinely ask for forgiveness, both from God and those whom we have wronged.  And THEN we are called to offer forgiveness for those who have wronged us. Many times, that’s the hardest part. 

Too often, too many of us do not show each other mercy or are not shown mercy. We see someone mess up and rather than being compassionate and having mercy, we see punishment as a source of power and can abuse it. I think of how many times I wish I had been shown mercy for things that were out of my control… and then I wonder how many times I should have shown mercy for things that were out of other people’s control. 

Dear Father, 

We thank you for all the mercy that you have shown us.

We know that while all may not be “perfect” in the earthly sense,

You are always right beside us, offering salvation.

You are always offering forgiveness, in the face of every sin.

You call out to us in the darkness, when we are most lost,

sharing the light of Your love and endless mercy. 

Today, we humbly place ourselves before You in supplication,

asking for the gift of mercy, as a trait.

Let us hold a mirror to our own faults 

and recognize how Your mercy is truly a beautiful gift.

Let us learn by example and offer compassion even when we cannot relate.

Let us be Christ to others and offer forgiveness even when it is hard for us.

Let us lead others to You by being Christ to others. 

Amen. 

Contact the author

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. 

Feature Image Credit: Anne Nygard, https://unsplash.com/photos/0uRJY0sStM0

Posted on

Consider It All Joy

Click here for daily readings

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.

Contact the author

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. 

Feature Image Credit: Jacqueline Munguia, https://unsplash.com/photos/1pAwJiCD60c

Posted on

Faith Over Fear

Click here for daily readings

“I should share this on Facebook! It’s so inspirational and really struck a chord with me. No… what if my friends think it’s too religious? Or what if even my Christian friends think it’s too in-your-face?”

This is a conversation (aka battle) I have with myself every day. As a Catholic that also struggles with depression and anxiety, I find a lot of my mental solace comes from inspirational Scripture or Catholic teachings. Still, I know that not all my friends on social media are Christians and rather than using this as an opportunity to evangelize… I choose not to. 

Maybe you can’t relate, but I’ve often had the same conversation with my 21-year-old sister. We realized that we often let what others think of us make decisions for us. Actually, we don’t even know if it’s what others think of us. We let what we think is the public’s perception of us determine our lives. Really, we let fear not faith decide. 

In today’s Gospel reading, we see the powerful, unstoppable faith of the four men carrying the paralytic. They don’t just try to get him to Jesus, they break through the roof to lower him down. They ignore what people are saying and don’t think about what others are thinking because they have so much faith that only a touch, only a word, could heal him. 

In the Gospel, Jesus also shows us the power of witness, regardless of what others are saying or thinking. Unlike us, Jesus actually knew what the scribes were thinking. He knew they were judging him since he was forgiving sins, something the scribes believed could only be done by God directly. So Jesus calls them out on it with the truth and Word of God. And THEN he heals a man. A paralyzed man. Can’t move. Just… gets up. Walks away. And so does Jesus. He says what he needs to, heals the man, and does not engage further. The truth has been shared.

And THEN, the last line of today’s reading is shared and it is almost the most important: 

“They were all astounded and glorified God” (Mark 2:12).

Yes, people were astounded by Jesus calling out and addressing the scribes. Yes, people were astounded by the miracle of healing. But furthermore, they witnessed all of this and glorified God. 

In today’s world, with social media and the internet, we have such an opportunity to share our faith and we cannot let our fear stop us. We must let our faith bring us closer to God, even if it is for the world to see, even if there are people that may confront us. We can show our faith without it being an argument. 

So many times, I see other’s Christian posts and I have never felt upset or annoyed or rolled my eyes. Instead, I am uplifted. I am inspired. It changes my day for the better. 

So I challenge you (and myself) to share your faith on social media. Share the love of your beautiful and merciful God, never condemning, and invite others into a relationship with God. Maybe it’s exactly what they need today. 

Contact the author

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. 

Feature Image Credit: Sincerely Media, https://unsplash.com/photos/zUZY3VgJ99A

Posted on

Hope Restored

Click here for daily readings

The First Reading has one of my favorite passages, seen time and time again throughout the Bible: “My love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the LORD, who has mercy on you.” Isaiah 54:10

Other similar passages are:

Hebrews 13:5 – Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:5 – No one can withstand you as long as you live. As I was with Moses, I will be with you: I will not leave you nor forsake you.

Matthew 28:20 – And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. 

Today, we read this passage in the Advent season, as we are waiting. In such a time of waiting, it is easy to get lost. For example, while on hold with the insurance company, I started scrolling through social media on my phone, put away some laundry, and then started looking up other insurance companies. I also began to get discouraged, for I’ve been on hold before only to be hung up on and forced to start the process all over again. 

Similarly, while we wait for Jesus, or even just wait for God to reveal His plan for us, to us, we can get discouraged. We get lost and begin to do other things and seek other earthly comforts. 

So there I was, still on hold, when the lady came back on the line and let me know that they were still working on it and would have to put me back on hold again but ARE still working on it. Instantly, I was reassured and more hopeful. It was 10 seconds of encouragement, but it made me close the tabs for other insurance companies! 

I see those passages from Isaiah, Hebrews, and Deuteronomy as similar encouragement, especially since they are all used in different scenarios across the Bible, yet the message remains the same: God will never leave you. 

So today, as you are waiting for the birth of Jesus and especially as you wait for God to reveal more to you, do not be discouraged! Instead, remind yourself of all these times, throughout thousands of years, how people have had their hope restored by knowing that God would never leave them. In the same way, God will never abandon you, nor forsaken you, nor His covenant of peace be shaken. “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Contact the author

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. 

Feature Image Credit: Siavash Ghanbari, https://unsplash.com/photos/A8UfuZ9hr1Q

Posted on

It’s a Comin’!

Click here for daily readings

I grew up in Texas, which is south but not what I would call THE South. Texas is its own kind of south since there are so many western influences (see: cowboy references). It also has its own dialect, one where we occasionally speak Spanglish and drop Gs. So when my highschool friend said, “Girl, it’s a comin’,” all ominous-like… it just stuck in my head. 

Here we are, two weeks away from the new liturgical year, a new birth and literally the birth of Christ, and all I hear is people talking about the death of the Church. The death of its aging members. The death of Christian values. The death of youth’s interest in the Church. 

At a prayer meeting last year, someone had the word “rebirth” for the Church and the image that someone else had at the same time was one of a woman about to give birth, feeling as though she was going to die. 

This woman was in agony. She felt like she couldn’t go on. She felt like this had to be the end, the end of her, the end of everything. She felt as though she was about to die because the suffering was too great. 

Then she gave birth to new life. 

And she cried tears of joy. There was celebration. There was restored hope. 

“When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world” (John 16:21).

I believe that the same is true for the Church. We are in a time of cleansing, be it the cleansing of our sinful clergy or finding out who the true Mass-goers are after the pandemic. We are in a time that is testing how much we truly imitate Christ, be it in our unwavering beliefs or total, unselfish love for those who oppose our beliefs. (May we continue to pray for every one of these people with honest compassion.) We are strengthening our Church through truth and faith. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the blind man, “Have sight; your faith has saved you” (Luke 18:42). So in today’s labor pains, I ask that you continue to have faith. Have sight beyond what is happening now and have faith. 

Contact the author

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. 

Feature Image Credit: Rosie Kerr, https://unsplash.com/photos/Gz0PxBYPfs8

Posted on

Hope and Goodness

Click here for daily readings

“For in hope we are saved” (Rom 8:24).

In today’s First Reading, we are reminded that “this, too, shall pass” and what we are truly working towards is the Kingdom of God. The reading is about the Glory of God, the “eager expectation” we should have.  The reading is about hope. 

Sadly, we live in a world where it is so easy to lose hope. We see corrupt people rising in the ranks, we see people starving in the streets, and we see our loved ones falling sick. But when we look to the Lord, keep our eyes set upon Him, we can be renewed in this hope.  The book of Romans tells us that hope isn’t knowing that something has already happened, but waiting in anticipation and with faith. If we based our hopes for this world on what we see, then hope would be a negative word for a negative world.

Instead, hope is something that inspires us. It reminds us that there is more to dream of, more to live for, more to hope for, because “the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared to the glory to be revealed to us.” 

By living in unity with God, with Jesus, with the Holy Spirit, we know that there is good. Just as my high school youth group would chant, “God is good! All the time! All the time! God is good!”

Glory to you, God, for redemption through your Son,
for the most holy sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for the hope you have given us through all your goodness.
Thank you for showing us Your mercy, Your love, and Your glory, even here on earth. 

May we shed tears of joy in hope.
May we dance and sing and cry out in undignified praise,
giving glory to you without worry or pride as King David did. 

May we always hope in you and through you, Lord. Amen.

Contact the author

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. 

Feature Image Credit: Hao Pan, https://unsplash.com/photos/GqGsAF1sABU