Inspiration

  What is justice? So often I feel entitled, that I am owed something. For so many of us, pride accompanies our drive for "success". What is perceived as a good career, or ideal family structure, or living environment, surrounds me in my daily interactions and ways of life.  In actuality though, who am I, in the grand scheme of things? Almost nothing. A speck of dust, and all the more reminded of this during the season I write this in (Lent).  It is Jesus who I must strive to emulate- He is my Rabbi, yet I so struggle with incorporating his ways, his meekness, and loving others without desiring power, glory, or something else in return. As declared in the book of Isaiah, He does not cry out when He is wronged. He does not fight to correct others, but is gentle and perfect in grace. The "bruised reed" (Isaiah 42:3, quoted in Matthew 12:20) is a metaphor for He who is weak, downtrodden, or spiritually broken.   It is frequently paired with "a dimly burning/smolde...

  Following Jesus  We are all called to be disciples, but it is not easy. Each day is a spiritual battlefield. Personally, I so love enveloping myself in God's word, studying and pondering the wide variety of lessons and events of the Bible, yet then carrying out the teachings is an entirely different task! I am a coward and weak. Physically tired while also emotionally weary, I regularly don't know how to begin when I am told, "Take up Your Cross". But most standout of the Bible is its conclusion, where Christ commands, "You follow me!", delegating to each of us a unique mission, one special to me and no one else. We are placed in our moment in time and place for a reason. The whys and hows may not come easily though, and with the countless distractions, particularly from the online realm, I many times feel helpless.   Yet to be a disciple is to humble oneself just as our master did, serving the Lord first through the smallest of ways. I can think of circum...

Mk 16:9-15 Apr Go Into the World and Preach! Why is it so hard for us to speak about our Lord? He has given up everything for us.  Despite the many miracles and proof that we have, we can be avoidant, passive and lukewarm. I have often told myself that, had I lived in Biblical times, it would be so much easier to believe. Having face to face contact with Jesus, He would be right in front of me. How could I deny Him? Yet as even Peter, the future head of the Church, did, why would I really think I would be different?  So I ask myself, what can I do to spread the good news? Where to begin?  I have recently joined the enemy of AI to try and use it for good, mainly by only relying on it for furthering my faith. When typing in terms such as "lukewarm" and "2025 Catholics", I found some disheartening facts, that for example, only  about three in ten U.S. Catholics say they attend Mass weekly or more often, that the number of Americans who were raised Catholic but no longe...

Nunc Coepi- Now I begin. My season of Humility is now. With a family of 6, my husband and I share responsibilities that many outsource, alternating the day to day tasks of caring for our four children ages 10 to just under 1. While he seems to effortlessly get through meal preparation, dishes needing to be cleaned, and shuttling our kids around the many ways I keep them out of the house, most days I feel coming up far too short, and barely staying afloat. Most of the time when it's my turn to be home, I quickly give in to exasperation, with frustration and exhaustion early on. I just can't seem to manage the little tasks that seem to never end, at least not with the love God desires of me. Humility seems very countercultural. Society teaches one should try to build themselves up to be the best they can be. In essence, this results in status and power. Kids go to school and are taught they can do anything. They are also encouraged to be popular, or the top of a class. Unconsciou...

In today's age, rather than Oil, we rely on batteries for energy. For young ones, it's all about the devices. Have you ever been with a child during a blackout and encountered their astonishment at machines not working? Our current times are so full of distractions and the desire to keep busy. Genuine prayer and quiet time for God are often lost in the shuffle, for many children and adults alike. With the increasing reliance on fast-paced machines, I worry we are brainwashed into the wrong priorities.  Our sole life goal should be striving for Sainthood, and nothing else. To best prepare for entry to Heaven, we can turn to the Saints for guidance. What better use of robots or A.I. than this? One website I recently found has tools to help me improve how to pray by applying the practices of different Saints to Scripture. From practicing deep self-reflection like St Augustine, or basking in little ways of sharing love like St Therese, I can actively exercise my soul for the spirit...

Everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna. 5:23 “If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 5:25 Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way;  How I struggle with carrying out what is truly asked of me by God! I recently came across a term called "rejection sensitivity". This spoke to me, as since little, I find how easily I could get upset by things not going my way. My confidence low, if another hurt me, I would quickly hold a grudge unless things were clearly reconciled at a later point.  To this day, I remain that sinner who has had difficulty putting into pract...