Blessed Are Your Eyes / Benditos sean tus ojos

“Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it.”

Christ addresses His Apostles here right after He preaches to the crowds about the parable of seed sown in good soil. The Apostles are asking Him privately about His use of parables, and His explanation is simple: “Because knowledge has been granted to you, but not to them.” At first, we might think that Christ’s words make it sound like only the “elite” get to know the truth. That’s not a very happy thought! What if we aren’t part of the “club”? Shouldn’t everyone know the truth?

But as Christ explains, we realize that He isn’t saying that the Apostles are elite. The fact is, He wants to share the truth with everyone, but not everyone wants to receive it. After all, some truths are hard to hear. The parable Christ just told about good soil also reveals what happens when seed falls on bad soil. The listeners who haven’t tended well to the “soil” in their hearts are probably not too happy to hear that they need to change!

Christ can’t tell those big crowds about the truth in a more direct way because they have closed their eyes. In other words, it’s not because they aren’t qualified to hear the truth, but because they aren’t willing. What sets the Apostles apart from the rest? How are they able to know the truth outside of parables? Because they are willing. Each Apostle willingly left behind his old way of life to follow Christ. They committed their lives fully to His teaching. And Christ reveals the fruit of their choice: “To everyone who has, more will be given, and he will grow rich.”

The Apostles began by accepting the first truth that Christ is more important than anything. Ever since then, they’ve come deeper into truth with Him. In contrast, the people who aren’t open to receiving that first truth more easily lose their sense of truth entirely. 

Christ’s parables provide “glimmers” of truth to hearts that have been mostly hardened against Him. But the Apostles’ hearts are open. They can see Truth more clearly. That is why He calls them blessed. We are called to have the same openness to Truth. Some of those truths might be painful or challenging at first, but if we don’t start with them, we will never experience the fullness of Truth that He wants to share with us.

How can you and I be open to a little bit more of His Truth today? In prayer, in conversation with others, in examining our daily lives and the things we prioritize? Where can we sense that we are being called deeper into truth today?

Contact the author


“Yo les aseguro que muchos profetas y muchos justos desearon ver lo que ustedes ven y no lo vieron”. (Mateo 13,17)

En este pasaje, Cristo se dirige a sus apóstoles justo después de predicar a las multitudes sobre la parábola de la semilla sembrada en tierra fértil. Los apóstoles le preguntan en privado sobre su uso de parábolas, y su explicación es simple: “A ustedes se les ha concedido conocer los misterios del Reino de los cielos; pero a ellos no”. Al principio, podríamos pensar que las palabras de Cristo dan la impresión de que solo la “élite” llega a conocer la verdad. ¡Ese no es un pensamiento muy feliz! ¿Y si no somos parte del “club”? ¿No debería saber la verdad todo el mundo?

Pero cuando Cristo lo explica, nos damos cuenta de que no está diciendo que los apóstoles sean la élite. El hecho es que quiere compartir la verdad con todos, pero no todos quieren recibirla. Después de todo, algunas verdades son difíciles de escuchar. La parábola que Cristo acaba de contar sobre la tierra fértil también revela lo que sucede cuando la semilla cae en tierra seca. Los oyentes que no han cuidado bien de la “tierra” de sus corazones probablemente no estén muy contentos de oír que deben cambiar.

Cristo no puede hablarles a esas grandes multitudes acerca de la verdad de una manera más directa porque han cerrado los ojos. En otras palabras, no es porque no estén calificados para escuchar la verdad, sino porque no están dispuestos. ¿Qué distingue a los Apóstoles del resto? ¿Cómo pueden conocer la verdad fuera de las parábolas? Porque están dispuestos. Cada Apóstol dejó atrás voluntariamente su antigua forma de vida para seguir a Cristo. Entregaron sus vidas por completo a Su enseñanza. Y Cristo revela el fruto de su decisión: “Al que tiene se le dará más y nadará en la abundancia”.

Los Apóstoles comenzaron aceptando la verdad primordial de que Cristo es más importante que todo. Desde entonces, han profundizado en la verdad con Él. En contraste, las personas que no están abiertas a recibir esa verdad primordial pierden más fácilmente el sentido de la verdad por completo. Las parábolas de Cristo brindan “destellos” de verdad a corazones que se han endurecido casi completamente contra Él. Pero los corazones de los Apóstoles están abiertos. Pueden ver la Verdad con mayor claridad. Por eso los llama dichosos. Estamos llamados a tener la misma apertura a la Verdad. Algunas de esas verdades pueden ser dolorosas o desafiantes al principio, pero si no comenzamos con ellas, nunca experimentaremos la plenitud de la Verdad que Él quiere compartir con nosotros.

¿Cómo podemos tú y yo estar abiertos a un poco más de Su Verdad hoy? ¿En la oración, en la conversación con otros, al examinar nuestra vida diaria y las cosas que priorizamos? ¿Dónde  sentimos que estamos llamados a profundizar en la verdad hoy?

Comunicarse con la autora

Hailing from Nashville, Catherine is a graduate of Christendom College with a lifelong passion for words. Her love of writing and her Catholic Faith continue to shape her as a freelance editor, copywriter, and (aspiring) novelist, where she pursues her passions for the love and greater glory of God.

Feature Image Credit: Nitin Mendekar, unsplash.com/photos/persons-green-and-black-eye-aeEk5WY9L_s

The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

The post Blessed Are Your Eyes / Benditos sean tus ojos appeared first on Diocesan.

Tilling the Soil / Cultivando la tierra

The parable of the four soils has been a long-time favorite. Since my children were small, I have prayed that “we would till fertile soil in their hearts so that seeds of faith sown there could take strong root that would flourish in the days of sun and stand strong in the days of storm.” It has been a prayer of hope for them, that theirs would be lives rich in faith. I imagined back then that this was my one shot. The seed would be sown, and, by golly, the soil better be ready. But, as is so often the case, life-living humility taught me differently.

Today’s parable is not necessarily describing four separate people hearing the word of God. One gets it, and the other three are out. Instead, it can also be describing the Word of God being sown in the same person at four separate times in his or her life. It describes our journey of faith.

First, the seed that falls on the path marks the times we missed God completely. Too distracted by our own wants and needs, too sure of our own glory to recognize His, we were not ready, and we never even heard it. Then another time, after our pride has been shaken by humility, the dry soil has cracked a bit. That same message lands this time, and it’s clearly good. Faith springs up quickly, but pride and arrogance are hard to shake, and they quickly choke out that new growth. The soil has been turned, though, and at the next hearing, the seed of faith takes stronger root; it grows until the din of the world around it — distraction, temptation, heartache, opposition — drowns out the word of God, and the plant wilts.

With each of these passes, the soil is becoming richer. God makes all work for good, so our hearts are turned and tilled as the remnants of our losses and missteps are mixed in like nutrient-rich compost, until the day we again hear that word of God. This time it lands within this rich soil. The same seeds that have missed us or failed to flourish before, now grow abundantly, bearing fruit.

Nearly 30 years later, I understand that this parable is not a “one-shot” deal, you either have the soil ready or too bad. Yes, I still pray for the hearts of my children and now my grandchildren. I still sow seeds of faith in person whenever I can and in prayer always. Beyond that, though, I have learned to trust the Sower. God is tilling the soil of their hearts just as he continues to till mine and yours, and He will never stop sowing the seeds of faith. I still pray for rich soil, but I  have learned to be even more grateful for the Sower who never gives up.

Contact the author


La parábola de los cuatro tipos de tierra ha sido una de mis favoritas desde hace mucho tiempo. Desde que mis hijos eran pequeños, he rezado para que “cultivemos tierra fértil en sus corazones para que las semillas de fe sembradas allí puedan echar raíces fuertes que florezcan en los días soleados y se mantengan firmes en los días de tormenta”. Ha sido una oración de esperanza para ellos, para que sus vidas sean ricas en fe. En ese entonces imaginé que esa era mi única oportunidad. La semilla sería sembrada y, por Dios, la tierra debería estar preparada. Pero, como sucede tan a menudo, la humildad de vivir la vida me enseñó algo diferente.

La parábola de hoy no necesariamente describe a cuatro personas diferentes que escuchan la palabra de Dios. Una la entiende y las otras tres se quedan fuera. En cambio, también puede describir la Palabra de Dios sembrada en la misma persona en cuatro momentos diferentes de su vida. Describe nuestro camino de fe.

Primero, la semilla que cae en el camino marca los momentos en que nos perdimos por completo a Dios. Demasiado distraídos por nuestros propios deseos y necesidades, demasiado seguros de nuestra propia gloria para reconocer la Suya, no estábamos listos, y ni siquiera lo escuchamos. Luego, en otra ocasión, después de que el orgullo haya sido sacudido por la humildad, la tierra seca se ha agrietado un poco. Ese mismo mensaje aterriza esta vez, y es claramente bueno. La fe brota rápidamente, pero el orgullo y la arrogancia son difíciles de arrancar, y rápidamente ahogan ese nuevo crecimiento. Sin embargo, la tierra ha sido removida, y en la siguiente audición, la semilla de la fe echa raíces más fuertes; crece hasta que el estruendo del mundo que la rodea (distracción, tentación, angustia, oposición) ahoga la palabra de Dios, y la planta se marchita.

Con cada una de estas pasadas, la tierra se vuelve más fértil. Dios hace que todo obre para bien, por lo que nuestros corazones se renuevan y se cultivan mientras los restos de nuestras pérdidas y errores se mezclan como abono rico en nutrientes, hasta el día en que volvemos a escuchar esa palabra de Dios. Esta vez aterriza en esta tierra rica. Las mismas semillas que antes no nos han llegado o que no han logrado florecer, ahora crecen abundantemente y dan fruto.

Casi 30 años después, entiendo que esta parábola no es algo que se haga solo una vez: o tienes la tierra preparada o está mal. Sí, todavía rezo por los corazones de mis hijos y ahora de mis nietos. Sigo sembrando semillas de fe en persona cada vez que puedo y siempre en la oración. Pero más allá de eso, he aprendido a confiar en el Sembrador. Dios está labrando la tierra de sus corazones, así como sigue labrando el mío y el tuyo, y nunca dejará de sembrar semillas de fe. Sigo rezando por una tierra fértil, pero he aprendido a estar aún más agradecida por el Sembrador que nunca se da por vencido.

Comunicarse con la autora

Pamela Kavanaugh is a grateful wife, mother, and grandmother who has dedicated her professional life to Catholic education. Though she has done her very best to teach her students well in the subjects of language and religion, she knows that she has learned more than she has taught. She lives, teaches, and writes in southwest suburban Chicago.

Feature Image Credit: Beyza Yalçın, pexels.com/photo/a-woman-sowing-seeds-19136498/

The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.

The post Tilling the Soil / Cultivando la tierra appeared first on Diocesan.

St. Isidore


St. Isidore

Feast date: May 15

Isidore was born in 1070 in Madrid, Spain. His family was poor, and he labored as a farmer on the land owned by a rich man named John de Vergas. He was very pious and such a good worker that de Vergas allowed him to worship daily in the chapel on his property, and because of thes he was often accused by his fellow workers of neglecting his duties because he made prayer a higher priority.

Isidore eventually married a woman named Mary, and together they had a son. However their son died while still very young, and through this they realized that it was the will of God for them not have children, so they lived together chastely the rest of their lives, doing good works.

Although he remained poor, he gave whatever he could spare to the poor. One tale says that as he walked to the mill one day, he stopped and gave half of the corn in his sack to the hungry birds. By the time he got to the mill, his sack had miraculously filled up again. He died in 1130 of natural causes.

Many miracles and cures have been reported at his grave, in which his body remains incorruptible. His wife, too, was canonized—Saint Mary de la Cabeza.

He is the patron saint of agricultural workers and the United States National Rural Life Conference.

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 13:13-25

From Paphos, Paul and his companions
set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.
But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
After the reading of the law and the prophets,
the synagogue officials sent word to them,
“My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak.”

So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,
“Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out,
and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,
he gave them their land as an inheritance
at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.
After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.
Then they asked for a king.
God gave them Saul, son of Kish,
a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;
of him he testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.

From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'”

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27

R.(2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia See Revelation 1:5ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead,
you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.
R. Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel John 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

 

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 5:34-42

A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel,
a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,
stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,
and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel,
be careful what you are about to do to these men.
Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important,
and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed,
and all those who were loyal to him
were disbanded and came to nothing.
After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.
He also drew people after him,
but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.
So now I tell you,
have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.
For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin,
it will destroy itself.
But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;
you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
They were persuaded by him.
After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged,
ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus,
and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,
they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (see 4abc) One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
One thing I ask of the LORD
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Mt 4:4b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him,
“Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough
for each of them to have a little.”
One of his disciples,
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people recline.”
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
“Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted.”
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
“This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.”
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Trusting in God’s Direction / Confiando en la Orientación de Dios

When the disciples are tasked with feeding five thousand men across from the Sea of Galilee, they are understandably dumbfounded: How can they feed so large a crowd with no food of their own, not much money, and five barley loaves and two fish? Yet, they do not bat an eye when Jesus tells them to prepare the crowd for a meal. Instead of relying on their own intuition and arguing with Jesus about the absurdity of feeding over five thousand people with such a small amount of food, they simply do what He says, knowing that He will provide for His people.

The disciples understand our Gospel acclamation, that “one does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). They have no idea how to approach the situation, but they have learned to trust in Jesus’ direction, even for matters of physical survival. His direction is better than anything they could come up with, even if it seems absurd at the time.

This outlook complements that of the psalmist, whose sole aim is to dwell in the house of the Lord rather than in other, more familiar places. And in our First Reading, we see Gamaliel saying something similar: “If [the gospel message] comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God” (Acts 5:39). He does not want to resist something that might come from God, even if he does not understand it.

Gamaliel, the psalmist, and the disciples see the point of remaining fixed on God, trusting in His direction even when it is difficult. They know that if God ordains something, guiding it with His hand, it cannot fail. If He gives direction, it will not be followed in vain. To dwell in His house is better than all else.

This is a profound trust that we need to adopt in our own lives. There is a subtle self-reliance that creeps in when we spend too much time seeking security by our own efforts alone. We plan far ahead, without consulting God concerning what He wants for our lives and for our loved ones. Inevitably, our best laid plans fail, and we make new ones, which fare no better. If we are not used to consulting God and trusting that He truly has things under control, we rely on worldly methods to maintain security, prestige, and wealth, so that we can have everything necessary for a good and peaceful life. Seeking easy steps to success, we look to social media and popular wisdom to solve our problems. If these solutions are divorced from spirituality, they never bring us the peace and security we seek.

Ultimately, we need to trust in what God has already told us through readings such as these. Even and especially when things look confusing and hopeless, God is in control. We must listen to Him and seek His will in these moments through prayer, Scripture, the sacraments, and spiritual direction, trusting in what He tells us, even if we cannot understand the reasons for it. We cannot expect to fully understand the ways of God, but that does not mean that they are inferior to the ways we can come up with on our own. Dwelling in His house is the goal, and His direction and protection are best for us in all situations.

Contact the author


Cuando los discípulos tienen la tarea de alimentar a cinco mil hombres al otro lado del Mar de Galilea, se quedan estupefactos: ¿Cómo pueden alimentar a una multitud tan grande sin comida propia, sin mucho dinero, cinco panes de cebada y dos peces? Sin embargo, no se inmutan cuando Jesús les dice que preparen a la multitud para una comida. En lugar de confiar en su propia intuición y discutir con Jesús acerca de lo absurdo de alimentar a más de cinco mil personas con una cantidad tan pequeña de comida, simplemente hacen lo que les manda, sabiendo que proveerá para Su pueblo.

Los discípulos entienden nuestra aclamación evangélica, que “No sólo de pan vive el hombre, sino también de toda palabra que sale de la boca de Dios.” (Mt 4,4). No tienen idea de cómo abordar la situación, pero han aprendido a confiar en la dirección de Jesús, incluso en cuestiones de supervivencia física. Su orientación es mejor que cualquier cosa que se les haya ocurrido, incluso si parece absurdo en ese momento.

Esta perspectiva complementa la del salmista, cuyo único objetivo es morar en la casa del Señor y no en otros lugares más familiares. Y en nuestra Primera Lectura, vemos a Gamaliel diciendo algo similar: “si lo que se proponen y están haciendo es de origen humano, se acabará por sí mismo. Pero si es cosa de Dios, no podrán ustedes deshacerlo. No se expongan a luchar contra Dios” (Hechos 5:39). No quiere resistirse a algo que podría venir de Dios, aunque no lo entienda.

Gamaliel, el salmista y los discípulos ven el punto de mantenerse fijos en Dios, confiando en Su orientación incluso cuando sea difícil. Saben que si Dios ordena algo, guiándolo con Su mano, no puede fallar. Si orienta a alguien, sus indicaciones no serán seguidas en vano. Morar en Su casa es mejor que cualquier otra cosa.

Esta es una confianza profunda que necesitamos adoptar en nuestras propias vidas. Hay una autosuficiencia sutil que se cuela cuando pasamos demasiado tiempo buscando seguridad solo con nuestros propios esfuerzos. Planeamos con mucha anticipación, sin consultar a Dios sobre lo que quiere para nuestra vida y la de nuestros seres queridos. Inevitablemente, nuestros planes fallan y creamos otros nuevos, y no nos va mejor. Si no estamos acostumbrados a consultar a Dios y confiar en que realmente tiene las cosas bajo su control, nos apoyamos en métodos mundanos para mantener la seguridad, el prestigio y la riqueza, para que podamos tener todo lo necesario para una vida buena y pacífica. Buscando pasos fáciles hacia el éxito, recurrimos a las redes sociales y la sabiduría popular para resolver nuestros problemas. Si estas soluciones están separadas de la espiritualidad, nunca nos traerán la paz y la seguridad que buscamos.

En última instancia, debemos confiar en lo que Dios ya nos ha dicho a través de las escrituras, como las lecturas de hoy. Incluso y especialmente cuando las cosas parecen confusas y sin esperanza, Dios tiene todo bajo control. Debemos escucharlo y buscar su voluntad en estos momentos a través de la oración, la Escritura, los sacramentos y la dirección espiritual, confiando en lo que nos dice, aunque no podamos entender las razones. No podemos esperar comprender completamente los caminos de Dios, pero eso no significa que sean inferiores a los caminos que podemos encontrar por nuestra cuenta. Morar en Su casa es la meta, y Su orientación y su protección son lo mejor para nosotros en todas las situaciones.

Comunicarse con el autor

David Dashiell is a freelance author and editor in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a master’s degree in theology from Franciscan University, and is the editor of the anthology Ever Ancient, Ever New: Why Younger Generations Are Embracing Traditional Catholicism.

Feature Image Credit: Alessandro Vicentin, cathopic.com/photo/9026-rezando

Tell the Story / Contar la Historia

“When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.”

The Apostles were so convicted by their experience of Jesus Christ, that they continued to tell his story even when those in power wanted to put them to death. Let that sink in for a moment. They wanted them put to death. And the Apostles did not stop. 

We live in a time when we are taught not to discuss religion and politics. We have witnessed people shamed and brought down for standing up for their convictions. It is a time of “political correctness” and “cancel culture”. 

This hits home hard for me. It is hard for me to even write these words. I am ashamed to admit that there have been times in my life when I have not brought up my faith because I was afraid it would make for an uncomfortable dinner conversation. I have neglected to share the grace I have received, because I wasn’t sure how the person would react, they might think I was weird or worse. I had a job once where I was cautioned to tuck in my crucifix because I was around people who didn’t like Catholics and I complied. No one has threatened my life, but there have definitely been times when I didn’t tell the story of Jesus Christ and the wonders he has worked. For that I am ashamed. 

A personal encounter with Jesus Christ has the ability to transform us. A personal encounter with Jesus Christ is able to take us outside of ourselves and move us into meaningful encounters with others. It is our mission to go out into the world and tell the story of Jesus Christ and his mercy. We are not to tell it once and then go back home, we are to tell the story over and over. More than that, we are to live the story. We are to live in such a way that mercy is our hallmark; where telling others how much they are loved is part of just who we are and how we operate. 

So I will take comfort from John’s words in the Gospel. “He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.” As I bend my will to conform more and more to God’s will, I can trust that God will not ration his gift of the Spirit so that each day I can start anew and along with the Psalmist “bless the Lord at all times.” Even when it feels uncomfortable. 

Contact the author


“Esta respuesta los exasperó y decidieron matarlos.”

Los Apóstoles estaban tan convencidos por su experiencia de Jesucristo, que continuaron contando su historia incluso cuando aquellos en poder querían matarlos. Profundicen un momento en eso. Querían que los mataran. Y los Apóstoles no pararon.

Vivimos en una época en la que se nos enseña a no hablar de la religión y la política. Hemos sido testigos de personas avergonzadas y humilladas por defender sus convicciones. Es una época de “no ofender políticamente” y “una cultura de la cancelación”.

Esto es muy duro para mí. Es difícil para mí incluso escribir estas palabras. Me avergüenza admitir que ha habido momentos en mi vida en los que no mencioné mi fe porque tenía miedo de que se convirtiera en una conversación incómoda durante la cena. Me he negado a compartir la gracia que he recibido, porque no estaba seguro de cómo reaccionaría la persona, de que podrían pensar que era rara o algo peor. Una vez tuve un trabajo donde me advirtieron que me metiera el crucifijo dentro de la blusa porque estaba rodeado de personas que no les gustaban a los católicos, y lo hice. Nadie ha amenazado mi vida, pero definitivamente ha habido momentos en los que no conté la historia de Jesucristo y las maravillas que ha obrado. Por eso estoy avergonzada.

Un encuentro personal con Jesucristo tiene la capacidad de transformarnos. Un encuentro personal con Jesucristo es capaz de sacarnos de nosotros mismos y llevarnos a encuentros significativos con los demás. Es nuestra misión salir al mundo y contar la historia de Jesucristo y su misericordia. No debemos contarlo una vez y luego volver a casa, debemos contar la historia una y otra vez. Más que eso, debemos vivir la historia. Debemos vivir de tal manera que la misericordia sea nuestro sello distintivo; donde decirles a los demás cuánto los amamos es parte de quiénes somos y cómo operamos.

Así que me consolaré con las palabras de Juan en el Evangelio. “Dios le ha concedido sin medida su Espíritu.”. Mientras dejo que mi voluntad se conforme cada vez más a la voluntad de Dios, puedo confiar en que Dios no racionará su don del Espíritu para que cada día pueda comenzar de nuevo y junto con el salmista “Bendeciré al Señor a todas horas”. Incluso cuando se siente incómodo.

Comunicarse con la autora

Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy. 

Feature Image Credit: Justice Amoh, unsplash.com/photos/hyYJKOZp2Og

St. Anselm


St. Anselm

Feast date: Apr 21

On April 21, the Catholic Church honors Saint Anselm, the 11th and 12th-century Benedictine monk and archbishop best known for his writings on Christ’s atonement and the existence of God.

In a general audience given on Sept. 23, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI remembered St. Anselm as “a monk with an intense spiritual life, an excellent teacher of the young, a theologian with an extraordinary capacity for speculation, a wise man of governance and an intransigent defender of the Church’s freedom.”

St. Anselm, the Pope said, stands out as “one of the eminent figures of the Middle Ages who was able to harmonize all these qualities, thanks to the profound mystical experience that always guided his thought and his action.”

Anselm was born in Aosta, part of the Piedmont region of present-day Italy, around 1033. While his father provided little in the way of moral or religious influence, his mother was a notably devout woman and chose to send Anselm to a school run by the Benedictine order.

The boy felt a profound religious calling during these years, spurred in part by a dream in which he met and conversed with God. His father, however, prevented him from becoming a monk at age 15. This disappointment was followed by a period of severe illness, as well as his mother’s early death.

Unable to join the monks, and tired of mistreatment by his father, Anselm left home and wandered throughout parts of France and Italy for three years. His life regained its direction in Normandy, where he met the Benedictine prior Lanfranc of Pavia and became his disciple.

Lanfranc recognized his pupil’s intellectual gifts and encouraged his vocation to religious life. Accepted into the order and ordained a priest at age 27, Anselm succeeded his teacher as prior in1063 when Lanfranc was called to become abbot of another monastery.

Anselm became abbot of his own monastery in1079. During the previous decade the Normans had conquered England, and they sought to bring monks from Normandy to influence the Church in the country. Lanfranc became Archbishop of Canterbury, and asked Anselm to come and assist him.

The period after Lanfranc’s death, in the late 1080s, was a difficult time for the English Church. As part of his general mistreatment of the Church, King William Rufus refused to allow the appointment of a new archbishop. Anselm had gone back to his monastery, and did not want to return to England.

In 1092, however, he was persuaded to do so. The following year, the king changed his mind and allowed Anselm to become Archbishop of Canterbury. But the monk was extremely reluctant to accept the charge, which would involve him in further struggles with the English crown in subsequent years.

For a three-year period in the early 12th century, Anselm’s insistence on the self-government of the Church – against the claims of the state to its administration and property – caused him to be exiled from England. But he was successful in his struggle, and returned to his archdiocese in 1106.

In his last years, Anselm worked to reform the Church and continued his theological investigations – following the motto of “faith seeking understanding.” After his death in 1109, his influence on the subsequent course of theology led Pope Clement XI to name him a Doctor of the Church in 1720.