Inspiration

  The Humility of the Holy Family Dec 18, 2022 7:00:00 AM  |  by  Alexis Dallara-Marsh Alexis Dallara-Marsh reflects on the humility and virtues of the Holy Family. It is fitting to always reflect on the virtues of the Holy Family, but particularly so during Advent. In a modern-day world that prides itself on fame and power, the simple humility exemplified by Joseph, Mary, and Jesus cannot hold more relevance. Joseph was a "just man and unwilling to put her to shame." How quick most are to point fingers in order to protect their own self-dignity. It helps to call to mind the Litany of Humility, which asks Christ Jesus to deliver us from a fear of being humiliated, despised, ridiculed, or wronged. The Holy Family is the epitome of this prayer, as we see each—Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus—set aside love of oneself and in place, reflect the glory of God. How can you embrace the Humility of the Holy Family in your everyday life? Joseph was a "just man and un...

  A most blessed Feast of the Ascension to you, brothers and sisters! Today we see that in the   final chapter of Luke's Gospel ,   immediately prior to His glorious ascent, Jesus reminds us we are never alone. Foreshadowed by verse 49, Jesus promises to send the power of the Holy Spirit to His disciples. I think sometimes the Holy Spirit can be more of a mystery for us than the Father or Son, whom Scripture offers far more guidance on. Yet the significance of the final component of the Most Holy Trinity must not be overlooked. It is through the Spirit that we can partake in God's Kingdom. The final verses of Luke's Gospel note the great joy of the Apostles, continuously in the Temple blessing God. Having an active responsibility as Christians, we each have an individual duty to continue to carry Christ's teachings on in today's age. Pope Benedict XVI noted, Every person carries within himself [herself], a project of God, a personal vocation, a personal idea of God,...

  Today's Gospel:  Matthew 11:25-30 “The Church is a home and family for everyone, especially those who ‘labor and are heavy laden’. ” St. John Paul II,  Familiaris Consortio , 85 In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart.” Humility is one of the most defining qualities of a Christian. Part of being humble includes the ability to ask for help at times. I have always struggled with this. It has been particularly challenging as I have gotten older and felt I should be more and more self-reliant. This is probably why the Kingdom of God is thought then more accessible to little ones - the infants or babes, who, with their simple faith, are more dependent on God. One must be always drawn to Him, heart and soul. At nighttime however, when all becomes quiet, it is clear how restless my soul becomes for You, O Lord. The sufferings and heaviness of my own heart can become more apparent once the distractions are cleared away. I am only able to find pe...

Have you ever prayed the litany of humility? It is probably one of the most radical pleas I've ever encountered. It's power lies in how deeply it embodies Jesus' desire for us to serve. We must strive for this- to be not the greatest, but the lowest. For everything will be overturned when facing eternal life. Those last will be first. Think of Christ's parents on Earth- Joseph who has not a single phrase recorded in the Bible, and our Blessed Mother, who also, while barely mentioned, in her brief words exclaims, "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to your word". We must recall our  littleness  in comparison to that of Christ, He without who we cannot achieve anything.  It is so important to also beware of preaching but not practicing. Is our image as how we appear to others more important than our image in the sight of God? Do we want to be recognized and praised by people, or by God? In actuality we can't have birth. Th...

There is a bible verse on my calendar for the current month that states, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be" (Matthew 6:21). The "treasures" of Earth fade and pass away eventually.  In today's Gospel, we encounter the Herodians and Pharisees joining together against Christ. The treasure in this case, a coin, had the image of Caesar as a deity.  While notoriously at odds with one another, in this case, the Herodians and Pharisees do have something very much in common: a  love of the things of this world . Their priorities are their law and traditions, and love for those outside their ways is set aside. Many times I must admit I also mistakenly get distracted erroneously. We must over and over ask, Am I of this world or of the Kingdom? Do we belong to our selfish pride, or dedicate every last breath to God alone? The penny that may have at one point seemed to have so much value quickly became worthless. So too with all the status and fame one d...

  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 ourself apart from the rest of the world. As we are all in the Kingdom, we need to figure out how to get along with each other - we will be spending eternity together after all!  We will be judged one day on how we loved. On love alone. Ultimately we have to ask ourselves, Did we show up? Did we say, "Here I am", to those who needed us? As Abraham, Moses, Samuel, and others said "Here I am to Go...

 God's greatest gift to a mother is that of her child. In Spanish, I was taught the phrase "dar la luz", or "to give light", for when a mother delivers her child into the world. This image of having a light within me, being the child in my womb, is also a great visual for life in the Spirit. As Jesus is the Light of the World, we share in His glorious Light when we are with child. What joy! Similarly, just as the strong gush of wind blew into the Upper room, as His breath of fresh life, we must continue boldly sharing Christ's love onto others. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) notes parents have responsibility to bear witness and educate in the virtues of Christ from as early an age to their child as able. The CCC also defines the Holy Spirit as, (CCC 733) "God's love poured into our hearts", its fruits being (CCC 736) "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Who will be calle...