Inspiration

  SEPTEMBER 10, 2023  https://diocesan.com/here-i-am-lord/ “In the twilight of our lives, we will be judged based on how we loved.” – St John of the Cross.  How do you treat others? Do you take for granted those closest to you? Do you open your eyes to strangers in need, or look the other way? I know for myself I am extremely sensitive to criticism. It can be so hard to be around those who have hurt or offended me. Forgiveness is perhaps the most difficult of Christ’s teachings to follow in my daily life. And yet, as a Christian, we will be known by our ability to forgive. To truly love one another as Christ has loved us, we must set ourselves apart from the rest of the world. Since we are all part of the Kingdom, we need to figure out how to get along with each other – after all, we will be spending eternity together!  One day we will be judged  on how we loved. On love alone. Ultimately we have to ask ourselves, “Did I show up? Did I say, ‘Here I am’, to those who needed me?” As Abra

  Tackling Envy Feb 2, 2023 I must admit, I get envious a lot. Since I was a young child, I always struggled with wanting things fair, but really, so that they were in my favor. It affected me being a good sister to my younger siblings, because I always wanted to come up on top. I recognize now how much kinder I wish I had been as a child. And still today, many years later, it's not that I want badness for others, but when I see something I wish I had, I (naturally) desire it. For example, I was triggered just now seeing a childhood best friend having given birth to twins. How selfish of me to, rather than feel genuinely happy for her, honestly wish that it was me instead, even though I already have multiple other children, one of whom just turned six months. I recognize how many blessings I have, and yet it is so natural for me to have these feelings of "why not me, why not more?" The ongoing pangs of being a sinner. So today I sought to combat this inherent weakness tha

APRIL 8, 2023 The Joy of the Resurrection / La Alegría de la Resurrección Click here for daily readings How do you begin to describe with words the joy in the Resurrection scene? There probably aren’t any ways in spoken language to capture the raw emotion Mary Magdalene must have felt at the sight of the risen Messiah. Exuberance? Exhilaration? Jubilation? And to think, this is God’s free gift to us! He created us so that we could share in this feeling with Him.  I imagine His radiant light, shining warmth, yet cooling peace.  His infinite, abounding love is what we must strive for, today and always!  While this life may be at times filled with sadness, and eventual death, to be born to life with Him for Eternity, we must recognize that today’s world will only exist for a mere instant! Our choice to participate in Christ’s sweet love will then allow us to take part in such bliss. The resurrection is the good Lord’s fulfillment to us, and central to our Catholic faith.  As Christ has de

Pitter-patter sounds in my heart. There has been a lot of time to reflect these past few weeks. It’s been extraordinarily stressful times to say the least. For me, one of the ways I best cope is my alone time, where I can sit back and process my experiences. Today, I wonder how have I contributed to the state of affairs in our society as a whole. Growing up, I cared so much about what others thought. Like many, I was brought up that interracial relationships were frowned upon. In finally entering one after many years of friendship with my now-husband, I recall remarking how the color of his darker skin didn’t matter to me. We were together because of our love for each other and that was all that mattered. But I was wrong. His skin color  does  matter because it is part of what makes him who he is. Rather than ignoring it, I need to recognize him for  all of who he is . Only by doing this can I truly know what love is. This is the same for our children. If I deny their background,

“ There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?” (Jn 6:9) What will you bring to the table? Music has often helped enhance my memory through catchy tunes.  A favorite song of mine is "You Raise Me Up".  I was surprised to find that what I thought was such a time and tested hymn has only been around for a little over 20 years. Its message offers so many lessons; particularly , with God's help, we can achieve the infinite.  "When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary When troubles come and my heart burdened be Then, I am still and wait here in the silence Until You come and sit awhile with me." ( Songwriters: Brendan Graham / Rolf Loevland;  You Raise Me Up lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Ab) We often think our efforts are not enough. Who am I, amongst all the pristine social media profiles advertising "success stories" of the famous and wealthy?  The young boy offering his five loaves and two fish may b

GOD, GRANT ME THE COURAGE TO BE A WATCHMAN Click here for daily readings Today’s first reading is a struggle – warning others, speaking out against faults and wrongdoings, being brave rather than cowardly. I have always been one who prefers shying away from confrontation. There is so much to be overwhelmed by in today’s world: from politics and racial tensions to the sick and the poor, it is much easier to look the other way and ignore all the injustices and wrongdoings surrounding us. When I was younger, I would toss and turn at night over worries such as being rejected by a crush. I would never put myself out there. Not in a million years. To this day, even with my closest loved ones, I frequently struggle with the same fears of rejection. This is not the least evident in my religious faith. Wearing a t-shirt with a faith-based message, or reminding my family about our Sunday obligation, I struggle with accepting it if I’m laughed at or ridiculed. While having the courage to speak up

This year has been a test of faith, probably more so than any one previous. This statement is not to be taken lightly. In 2001, I stood as a bushy-eyed high schooler only a few streets away from Ground Zero on the day nearly 3,000 others had their lives abruptly stolen from them. In 2014, we lost our son to stillbirth after what had been an otherwise uneventful first pregnancy. Through it all, moments of adversity force us to open our eyes to what is most important. This year, I have seen countless more lives lost, both near and far away from me. The grief can be deep and overwhelming; the darkness, heavy and lonely. In contrast, giving thanks for what we have in 2020 has taken on a new meaning. Even the smallest blessings must not be taken for granted. From food and jobs to our health and each other, there is so much to praise God for. Now more than ever before, as we begin this Advent season, we must depend on the living steadfastness of the Lord for continued restoration. Today’s re

Alexis Dallara-Marsh described how Mary has been, for her, a loving friend who drew her to God. I was recently part of a six-week journal group among mothers of my local parish. During our final session, I can recall two occurrences in particular that stood out to me. The first was that each of us were to identify another woman in our lives who has made a difference to us. Perhaps someone we view as a strong woman, or as an inspiration or role model. Someone who had helped them learn more about who we are deep inside ourselves. Most others chose a friend around similar age. But I struggled to identify someone.  By the close of the meeting, the group leader spoke of a memory of her father. Her father would regularly teach her that, when standing at the gates of Heaven, God will ask us three basic questions.  Did you know Me?  Did you love Me?  Who did you bring?  Our group leader spoke of how she hoped to bring each of us with her. I was so moved. In this day, I constantly struggle with

Ten years ago, I gave birth to our oldest son who was stillborn, but it feels like yesterday. It happened unexpectedly, without warning. At the time I thought I would never recover. How could I, as a mother, or wife, or human being?  God often uses painful & difficult circumstances to get our attention. C.S. Lewis wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone that rouses a deaf world.” Our Lord had a passionate concern for the sick, the suffering, and the dying.  When others are sick we tend to ask why. It is through suffering that God’s mercy and compassion are often the most paramount. In  Dying with Dignity , St. John Paul II declares that “In our own time, Christ continues his mission, and his preference for the vulnerable, through his Church.” He described the Church as “a patient advocate, working to ensure proper care for the sick and dying by promoting respect for their dignity. The Church is physician a

I stopped to stare and take in all that my child is today. That which I often overlook- the innocence of today; the unknown of what tomorrow holds. I think of all the potential inside, waiting to flourish, to serve the Lord above all else,    God-willing . How delicate is life in the womb. Anything can be for that soul, so infinite the possibilities!  As Catholics, it is our duty to invest in our youth, both those clearly in front of us as well as the unborn.  We must be there to teach and guide what is just. I pray my children will find the Lord's narrow way, striving for only Him and that which is eternal, rather than the distractions of this only temporary world.  Meanwhile, many adults, myself included, struggle with humility. I shouldn't have to do this or that, I've worked too hard, I'm more important than that.  And others, the opposite, wrestling with self-confidence. I'm not good enough. I'm a nobody.  The mustard seed parable reminds us of the signific