Inspiration

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 Storing Treasure in Heaven / Ahorrando el Tesoro en el Cielo Click here for daily readings “Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” Particularly in this generation’s society, we tend to center ourselves around instant gratification. Tempted by the allure of the newest modern trends that money can buy us on Amazon with a  click of the mouse. Yet most are afraid or ignorant of what to expect after death. Today’s reading advises us of the Heavenly treasures that we can expect only if we are not first distracted by false riches we may be exposed to here on Earth. Food, material possessions and earthly comforts are temporary, whereas reliance on Christ provides for eternal salvation. Those who by worldly standards are considered first today will be last tomorrow in Christ’s second coming.  As Christians, we must ask ourselves if we take the time to tend to those most in need. We must live in service to...

  https://www.cathopic.com/search/dove The Kingdom is Here  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" The Baptism of Christ marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, to bring others to God as Savior of the world. While Jesus himself never sinned, He takes upon Baptism to show His complete submission to the Father. This cleansing functions as a symbol...

https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/daily-gospel-reflection-for-may-16-2021 Today's Gospel:  Mark 16: 15-20 I received first Communion on May 16th, 1992. Nearly three decades later, I still remember the excitement and atmosphere. The long preparation we underwent in anticipation. The songs that we would practice and artwork we would create. The wonder of what the Body and Blood tasted like. The pictures amongst flowers in our Sunday best. The many ways that would ultimately show our love for Christ. Imagine the sight of the Ascension of Christ. You are there, witnessing it with your very own eyes, His peace-filled departure and rise into the gates of Heaven. No closer today are we to Christ than through Holy Communion. Being in church allows us this very opportunity closer than any other physical entity here in this day and age. Being a second grader when I first received Holy Communion, I had yet to know of the Communion of Saints. Today, however, I recognize it is their work...

https://diocesan.com/divine-mercy/ In today’s First Reading in Acts, it is noted that following Jesus’ resurrection, the Church was one. This was what God had always intended. One heart, one mind, one body, one soul. The common theme reflected in  Psalm  118  is   “ His mercy endures forever.”  God’s love is everlasting . In the Divine Mercy Chaplet we pray, “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world”. Jesus came for sinners. To have compassion on us and forgive us. To save souls.  Our strength and our courage is the LORD, our Savior! Give thanks! May the Holy Spirit fill each of us with the joy of the Easter message. Let us live boldly, as the Apostles did following Christ’s resurrection, recognizing that we are indeed saved. Let us be steadfast to the Lord, keeping his Commandments through the trials and tribulations we face. Let us be in peace with one another, just as Jesus reconciled with us, appearing to the A...

  Be Not Afraid https://diocesan.com/be-not-afraid-2/ I have always found it hard to pray. To find the words. And so recently I have become invested in studying the Psalms, as the Psalms give the words and prayers bestowed to us by God Himself. How moving in particular is today’s Psalm, which strikes such a chord deep in our hearts!   Ps 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?   In today’s reading, we should note that just before Psalm 23, undoubtedly the best known of all the Psalms, is Psalm 22.  I recognize now that Psalm 22 and Psalm 23 are complementary.  Christ experienced to the very fullest both the human suffering of Psalm 22 and the love, peace and security of His Father in Psalm 23. Today’s Gospel notes the striking of the shepherd so that the sheep will be dispersed, but just after reminds us to not have our faith be shaken. It is through the difficult times that God can make hi...

Gn 9:8-15 is one of our first introductions to the word "covenant". The word speaks of God's promise to us. It is not through our works that we will receive grace, but through God's goodness. In His covenant to Noah, God vows to make a covenant between Himself and the earth. Is this not a foreshadowing of the ultimate covenant He establishes for us in sending His only begotten son, God incarnate, to us?  As we recall in today's gospel, Christ came down to live the Human experience, both its joys and its sorrows. His 40 days in the desert are only the beginning of this great sacrifice. Through Christ, God shows His love for us surpasses all. In times where we may question "Where are you Lord"? we must recall that God is always with us through His beloved son Christ. How infinitely blessed are we, who, made from dust, can now encounter the joys of eternal salvation!  https://diocesan.com/tag/alexis-dallara-marsh/

In the recent Sunday's readings, a Sunday in Ordinary Time, three particular lines stand out to me.  In the first reading, " Teach me your ways, O Lord." Too commonly do we rely on our own understanding, failing to place our trust in Him, particularly in the more difficult times. Yet even in the simpler tasks of day-to-day life, we can also forget to ask for His help and guidance. Can we take a moment now to reflect on this request, always trying to learn from our Lord, regardless of whether circumstances are easier or harder? In the second, "T he world in its present form is passing away." Just prior, this passage speaks of  those using the world as not using it fully. Or rather, I think we often again are too distracted by some parts of the world in place of others. In a recent Kindergarten science class, the discussion of the word "naturalistic" came up. The man-made advances of technology for example, often hide us from the beauty God has given us ...