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Thirty-eight years…The man in today’s Gospel had been ill for thirty-eight years. I inhale deeply when I hear that number.  Thirty-eight was the age when I was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, a diagnosis that found me running to the Divine Healer’s river of mercy. This sick man was just one of a “large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled” (John 5:1:3) who waited daily for the moment when the Pool of Bethesda’s water was “stirred up.” The first one into those waters was reportedly healed. 

Dependence on his own abilities left him unable to enter the pool in time. He had no one to help him, which left his healing just out of reach. He remained ill for thirty-eight years, until one Sabbath day changed everything. For on this particular day, he encountered the one true healer who had the power to make him whole, body and soul.

“Do you want to be well?” Jesus asks him. What an absurd question. Doesn’t Jesus know everything? Surely he knew every detail of this man’s long suffering and how desperately he desired wellness. And yet, Jesus wanted the sick man’s consent, his receptive surrender. Jesus is a gentle healer. He invites us back to wholeness, but He never forces. He wants our permission, our surrender to His will. Even when we barely crack open our hearts to receive, He showers us with His healing grace. “Rise, take up your mat, and walk,” he tells the sick man. And then immediately, with no delay, the Gospel tells us, “the man became well.” 

Many of the Biblical stories of Jesus’ healing miracles allude to an illness far worse than years of physical suffering—that of sin separating us from God. When Jesus found this man after his healing, he reminded him of that. “Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you” (John 5:14). 

We all have places in our lives where we sit beside a Pool of Bethesda. Hear Jesus asking you today, “Do you want to be well?”  Do you want to turn away from your familiar life—a life that keeps you paralyzed from sickness or sin? Are you willing to admit that you desire healing? 

Jesus can heal us instantly. He doesn’t need the drama of stirred up waters. However, He wants our hearts stirred up in faith to surrender to Him. Sometimes Jesus heals our physical bodies in ways others notice. But sometimes our healing looks like unanswered prayers because it takes place deep within our souls.

During years of pain and sickness, we may be tempted to depend on the healing waters promised by the world. It is then that we must remember we will only find soul-deep healing that never fades or fails when we encounter Jesus, the Divine Healer, and allow His healing waters to flow through us. Lord, we want to “Be Well” in your time and in your way.

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Treinta y ocho años…El hombre del Evangelio de hoy llevaba treinta y ocho años enfermo. Respiro hondo al oír ese número. A los treinta y ocho años me diagnosticaron cáncer de mama en etapa temprana, un diagnóstico que me llevó a buscar refugio en la misericordia del Divino Sanador. Este hombre enfermo era solo uno de una “una multitud de enfermos, ciegos, cojos y paralíticos” (Juan 5,1-3) que esperaban a diario el momento en que las aguas del estanque de Betesda se agitaran. Según se cuenta, el primero que entraba en esas aguas quedaba sano.

Su confianza en sí mismo le impidió entrar en el estanque a tiempo. No tenía a nadie que lo ayudara, por lo que su sanación se le escapaba de las manos. Permaneció enfermo durante treinta y ocho años, hasta que un día de sábado lo cambió todo. Porque ese día en particular, se encontró con el único y verdadero sanador que tenía el poder de sanarlo por completo, en cuerpo y alma.

“¿Quieres curarte?” Jesús le pregunta. ¡Qué pregunta tan absurda! ¿Acaso Jesús no lo sabe todo? Seguramente conocía cada detalle del largo sufrimiento de este hombre y su desesperado deseo de sanarse. Y aun así, Jesús quería el consentimiento del enfermo, su entrega receptiva. Jesús es un sanador bondadoso. Nos invita a recuperar la plenitud, pero nunca nos obliga. Quiere nuestro permiso, nuestra entrega a su voluntad. Incluso cuando apenas abrimos nuestro corazón para recibir, nos colma de su gracia sanadora. “Levántate, toma tu camilla y anda”, le dice al enfermo. E inmediatamente, sin demora, el Evangelio nos dice que “el hombre quedó curado”.

Muchos de los relatos bíblicos de los milagros de sanación de Jesús aluden a una enfermedad mucho peor que años de sufrimiento físico: la del pecado que nos separa de Dios. Cuando Jesús encontró a este hombre después de su sanación, se lo recordó. “No peques más, no sea que te vaya a suceder algo peor” (Juan 5,14).

Todos tenemos momentos en nuestra vida en los que nos sentamos junto a un estanque como el de Betesda. Escucha a Jesús preguntándote hoy: “¿Quieres curarte?” ¿Quieres alejarte de tu vida habitual, una vida que te paraliza por la enfermedad o el pecado? ¿Estás dispuesto a admitir que anhelas la sanación?

Jesús puede sanarnos al instante. No necesita el drama de las aguas agitadas. Sin embargo, desea que nuestros corazones se conmuevan con fe para rendirnos a Él. A veces, Jesús sana nuestros cuerpos de maneras que otros notan. Pero a veces, nuestra sanación se manifiesta como oraciones sin respuesta porque ocurre en lo más profundo del alma.

Durante años de dolor y enfermedad, podemos sentir la tentación de depender de las aguas sanadoras que promete el mundo. Es entonces cuando debemos recordar que solo encontraremos una sanación profunda del alma, que nunca se desvanece ni falla, cuando nos encontremos con Jesús, el Divino Sanador, y permitamos que sus aguas sanadoras fluyan a través de nosotros. Señor, queremos curarnos en tu tiempo y a tu manera.

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Shauna Occhipinti writes to bear witness to God’s grace. She lives with her husband and  twin sons in Martinez, GA.  She is a contributing author to The Cloud of Witnesses, a PraiseWriters’ collaborative book. Shauna is passionate about holistic health and helping others find healing and wholeness with the Divine Physician. As a SoulCore leader, she welcomes others under Mary’s mantle through the contemplative prayers of the Rosary and functional movement. You can find out more about her at shaunaocchipinti.com.

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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.

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Saint Patrick, heralded as Ireland’s Apostle, was born around 387 in Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, Scotland. His demise was in Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on 17 March 461. His lineage traced back to Romans in Britain, Calpurnius and Conchessa, overseeing colonial affairs. At fourteen, Patrick’s life took a sharp turn; he was captured by raiders and enslaved in Ireland, a realm of druids and paganism. This period honed his linguistic and cultural assimilation.

In captivity, Patrick sought solace in prayer, his faith deepening remarkably. He recounted, “The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same.” “I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.”

Escape came at twenty, following a divine vision guiding him to the coast, where he encountered sailors who facilitated his return to Britain and reunion with his family.

Another vision impelled him towards priesthood, culminating in ordination by St. Germanus of Auxerre, his mentor for years.

Consecrated as a bishop, Patrick was tasked with evangelizing Ireland, landing on its shores on 25 March 433 at Slane. An encounter with a hostile chieftain, Dichu, turned miraculous, leading to Dichu’s conversion.

Patrick’s mission across Ireland was transformative, converting multitudes and establishing churches. His message resonated across social strata, converting kings, families, and kingdoms. His disciples, including Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, continued his legacy.

For four decades, Patrick’s evangelism reshaped Ireland, evidenced by his numerous miracles and heartfelt writings in “Confessions”. Embracing a life of poverty and sacrifice, Patrick passed on 17 March 461, leaving an indelible mark on Ireland’s spiritual landscape.

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Reading 1 Isaiah 65:17-21

Thus says the LORD:
Lo, I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
The things of the past shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness
in what I create;
For I create Jerusalem to be a joy
and its people to be a delight;
I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and exult in my people.
No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there,
or the sound of crying;
No longer shall there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not round out his full lifetime;
He dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years,
and he who fails of a hundred shall be thought accursed.
They shall live in the houses they build,
and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.
 

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b

R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
“Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.”
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
 

Verse Before the Gospel Amos 5:14

Seek good and not evil so that you may live,
and the LORD will be with you.
 

Gospel  John 4:43-54

At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee.
For Jesus himself testified
that a prophet has no honor in his native place.
When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him,
since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast;
for they themselves had gone to the feast.

Then he returned to Cana in Galilee,
where he had made the water wine.
Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea,
he went to him and asked him to come down
and heal his son, who was near death.
Jesus said to him,
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
The royal official said to him,
“Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.”
The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
While the man was on his way back,
his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.
He asked them when he began to recover.
They told him,
“The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”
The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him,
“Your son will live,”
and he and his whole household came to believe.
Now this was the second sign Jesus did
when he came to Galilee from Judea.
 

– – –

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.

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“This was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee.” First the water into wine; now the healing of the soldier’s son. There is more than one parallel between these two miracles, parallels that reveal to us something important about the Heart of Our Lord. 

The first parallel is that both miracles involve family: the new family of the bride and groom; the existing family of a loving father and a dying son. Christ understands, better than we ever could, the nature and importance of family. Of course, He would know. He’s God, after all; He invented family. Christ understands the love between a Father and Son. And He understands the kind of love, like marital love, that is so profound it creates new life. After all, creative love began with Him, when He made the world. And when He became incarnate, He was born into a family, son of Mother Mary and St. Joseph, His foster father. 

The second parallel is the nature of the miracles themselves. In both cases, those who receive the miracle do not “see” it happen. The soldier is still on the return journey when his servants deliver news that his son had been healed at the very moment Christ promised him it would be done. And neither the bride and groom, nor the servants or Mother Mary, are present when Christ changes water into wine. In both cases, Christ works His miracles in silence, in secret. What does this tell us about His Heart? It tells us of His great love for us. He does not perform miracles for fame. He wants to draw souls closer to Him and increase our faith. 

The third parallel is that in both cases, new creation springs to life at Christ’s mere word. The sick son is healed. Water becomes wine. Christ’s word transforms reality. His words do not merely represent reality; they are reality. And He is using them to bring life. What does this tell us about His Heart? It tells us that words, particularly His Word in Scripture, are meant to be restorative, life-giving, revolutionary. Since we are made in His image, our words can be a powerful force for good as well.

And in meditating on the Heart of Christ through these miracles, another parallel appears: the parallel between these lives and the death of Christ. The Father surrendered His Son so that spiritual life could be restored to us, His children. Water and wine flowed from Christ’s side. He said “It is finished” on the Cross, after His suffering and death, and it recreated the entire world. 

In all things, Christ’s Heart points to His sacrificial love for us: His desire for us to be part of a family, to provide for us in sometimes hidden ways, and to bring us back to life through His Word. For He has died that we might obtain the fullness of life. 

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“Ésta fue la segunda señal milagrosa que hizo Jesús al volver de Judea a Galilea”. Primero, el agua convertida en vino; ahora, la curación del hijo del soldado. Hay más de un paralelismo entre estos dos milagros, paralelismos que nos revelan algo importante sobre el Corazón de Nuestro Señor.

El primer paralelismo es que ambos milagros involucran a la familia: la nueva familia de los novios; la familia ya existente de un padre amoroso y un hijo moribundo. Cristo comprende, mejor que nosotros, la naturaleza y la importancia de la familia. Claro que sí. Después de todo, es Dios; Él creó la familia. Cristo comprende el amor entre un Padre y un Hijo. Y comprende el tipo de amor, como el amor conyugal, que es tan profundo que crea nueva vida. Al fin y al cabo, el amor creador comenzó con Él, cuando creó el mundo. Y cuando se encarnó, nació en una familia, hijo de la Virgen María y San José, su padre adoptivo.

El segundo paralelismo es la naturaleza de los milagros mismos. En ambos casos, quienes reciben el milagro no lo “ven”. El soldado todavía iba regresando de su viaje cuando sus sirvientes le anunciaron que su hijo había sido sanado justo en el momento que Cristo se lo había prometido. Ni los novios, ni los sirvientes, ni la Virgen María estaban presentes cuando Cristo convirtió el agua en vino. En ambos casos, Cristo obra sus milagros en silencio, en secreto. ¿Qué nos revela esto sobre su corazón? Nos revela su gran amor por nosotros. Él no realiza milagros para obtener fama. Desea acercar las almas a sí mismo y fortalecer nuestra fe.

El tercer paralelismo es que, en ambos casos, la creación nueva surge con la sola palabra de Cristo. El hijo enfermo queda sano. El agua se convierte en vino. La palabra de Cristo transforma la realidad. Sus palabras no solo representan la realidad; son la realidad misma. Y Él las usa para dar vida. ¿Qué nos revela esto sobre su corazón? Nos revela que las palabras, en particular su Palabra en las Escrituras, están destinadas a ser restauradoras, vivificantes y transformadoras. Dado que fuimos creados a su imagen, nuestras palabras también pueden ser una poderosa fuerza para el bien. 

Y al meditar en el Corazón de Cristo a través de estos milagros, surge otro paralelismo: el que existe entre estas vidas y la muerte de Cristo. El Padre entregó a su Hijo para que la vida espiritual pudiera ser restaurada a nosotros, sus hijos. Agua y vino brotaron del costado de Cristo. Él dijo: “Consumado es” en la Cruz, después de su sufrimiento y muerte, y con ello recreó el mundo entero.

En todas las cosas, el Corazón de Cristo señala su amor sacrificial por nosotros: su deseo de que formemos parte de una familia, de proveernos a veces de maneras ocultas y de devolvernos la vida mediante su Palabra. Porque él murió para que alcanzáramos la plenitud de la vida.

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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.

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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.

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Saint Abraham of Kidunaia, born in 296 near Edessa, Syria, came from wealth. Early in life, he faced a marriage he didn’t wish for. As the celebrations progressed, Abraham chose solitude over matrimony. He secluded himself in a structure close by, communicating his spiritual aspirations through a mere aperture to his initially resistant family. Their eventual acquiescence led to the dissolution of his marriage, allowing him a decade of devout seclusion.

Summoned from this solitude by the Edessa bishop, Abraham found himself unwillingly ordained and dispatched to Beth-Kiduna, a stronghold of paganism. There, through resilience in the face of hostility and by leading through example, he managed to convert the entire populace. His mission completed within a year, he humbly requested a successor from God and retreated to his hermitage, henceforth bearing the name Kidunaia, a testament to his transformative work in Beth-Kiduna.

Abraham’s reclusion was interrupted twice thereafter. His niece, Mary of Edessa, notorious for her debauched lifestyle, prompted Abraham to adopt a soldier’s guise—a strategy to win her audience. Their encounter led to her spiritual awakening. Abraham then resumed his isolation, which was only broken by his death, leaving behind a legacy celebrated by a vast assembly of mourners. His life and deeds were immortalized by his contemporary, the venerable Saint Ephrem of Syria.

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Both the first reading and the Gospel point to the same theme – God is full of surprises. And His Son is as well. We see the outward appearance of people and make decisions about them. Or are we judging? You may know certain people more intimately, so there are less surprises when it comes to their behavior. Even then though, how well can we really know another person? How well can we know ourselves?

Knowing ourselves requires honesty and humility. When Samuel chooses David, as instructed by God, David did not argue. Whatever he understood, anticipated, or desired with this anointing we do not know. He accepted what was given. We too, need to accept what God gives us. It may be our trials or difficulties or an arduous task but I imagine David, thinking more along the lines of, “What great work does God want from me? How will He help me accomplish this?”

When God gives me a new work, I am not always grateful. Maybe I do not want or enjoy this new project. One question I often ask myself during these times is, “What do you want me to learn from this?” Often the answer is to trust God more fully and not worry so much. 

In the Gospel we see the Pharisees and the blind man’s parents worrying. All those questions trying to trap Jesus, the blind man, the parents; they need to get to the bottom of this healing and they cannot let it go. They are afraid to trust that Jesus is who He says He is. It would be too much for them to consider. It would turn their world upside down and cause them to question so much about how they live.

Yet, when we turn to Jesus and allow Him into our lives, He turns it all upside down in the best ways. Of course, life can be messy at times. Keep holding on to Jesus. Keep relying on Him to help you to see. The blind man was given the gift of sight, and it changed his entire life. It was probably confusing at times and even overwhelming. Keeping close to Jesus, believing and worshipping Him helped him figure out his new life.

That is the lesson for us as well. Keep close to Jesus, turn to him, believe, and worship – and He will give you the gifts you need to navigate your life.  

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Tanto la primera lectura como el Evangelio apuntan al mismo tema: Dios está lleno de sorpresas. Y su Hijo también. Nos fijamos en la apariencia de las personas y tomamos decisiones sobre ellas. ¿O acaso las juzgamos? Quizás conozcamos a ciertas personas más íntimamente, por lo que su comportamiento nos sorprende menos. Aun así, ¿cuánto podemos conocer realmente a otra persona? ¿Cuánto podemos conocernos a nosotros mismos?

Conocernos a nosotros mismos requiere honestidad y humildad. Cuando Samuel eligió a David, siguiendo las instrucciones de Dios, David no refutó nada. Desconocemos lo que entendió, anticipó o deseó con esta unción. Aceptó lo que se le dio. Nosotros también debemos aceptar lo que Dios nos da. Pueden ser pruebas, dificultades o una tarea ardua, pero me imagino a David pensando más bien: “¿Qué gran obra quiere Dios de mí? ¿Cómo me ayudará a lograrla?”

Cuando Dios me encomienda una nueva tarea, no siempre estoy agradecida. Quizás no la deseo o no la disfruto. Una pregunta que suelo hacerme en estos momentos es: “¿Qué quieres que aprenda de esto?” A menudo, la respuesta es confiar más plenamente en Dios y no preocuparme tanto.

En el Evangelio vemos a los fariseos y a los padres del ciego preocupados. Todas esas preguntas intentaban acorralar a Jesús, al ciego, a los padres; necesitaban llegar al fondo de esta sanación y no podían dejarlo pasar. Tenían miedo de confiar en que Jesús era quien decía ser. Sería demasiado para ellos considerarlo. Les pondría su mundo patas arriba y les haría cuestionarse muchas cosas sobre cómo viven.

Sin embargo, cuando nos volvemos a Jesús y le permitimos entrar en nuestras vidas, Él lo transforma todo para bien. Por supuesto, la vida a veces puede ser complicada. Sigue aferrándote a Jesús. Sigue confiando en Él para que te ayude a ver. Al ciego se le concedió el don de la vista, y eso cambió su vida por completo. Probablemente fue confuso e incluso abrumador en ocasiones. Mantenerse cerca de Jesús, creer en Él y adorarlo le ayudó a comprender su nueva vida. 

Esa es también la lección para todos nosotros. Manténganse cerca de Jesús, acérquense a él, crean y adoren, y él les dará los dones que necesitan para guiar su vida.

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Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed., M.P.A. is a certified spiritual director, retreat leader, speaker, and writer with decades of experience serving the Church. She is the founder of LiveNotLukewarm.com, works on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Passionist Spiritual Center, and is an Unbound prayer minister.  She has served as a religious education director, youth minister, liturgical coordinator, and stewardship director. She writes for SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicMom.com, new.diocesan.com/, and Women in the New Evangelization (WINE). Deanna is the author of The Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women, Invite the Holy Spirit into your Life, and has contributed to the Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion, as well as Digital Ministry and Leadership in Today’s Church.

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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.

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Louise de Marillac, born close to Meux, France, faced the loss of her mother as a child and her father at 15. Her early aspirations to join a convent were discouraged, leading her into an arranged marriage, which bore a son. She endured the prolonged illness and eventual death of her husband. Guidance came from St. Francis de Sales and the Bishop of Belley, though their presence in her life was sporadic. A profound personal revelation hinted at a significant undertaking ahead, guided by someone yet unknown to her – this would be the esteemed priest, later Saint, Vincent de Paul.

Vincent, initially hesitant due to his commitments with the “Confraternities of Charity,” needed help. His initiatives, supported by aristocratic women, aimed at assisting the poor and the abandoned children were hampered by the limited availability of these women. Vincent sought helpers from among the peasants, who could better connect with the poor.

As Vincent and Louise’s paths intertwined, he recognized in her the answer to his needs. Louise, marked by her intelligence, humility, and surprising physical resilience despite her frail health, became instrumental in Vincent’s mission. She attracted four young women to join her, turning her Parisian residence into a training hub for those dedicated to serving the sick and the poor. This rapid expansion necessitated a formal rule of life, crafted by Louise under Vincent’s guidance, for the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

Vincent’s cautious approach with Louise and the nascent group underscored his reluctance to start a new community; he saw it as God’s work. He envisioned their convent as the homes of the sick, their cloister the city streets or hospital wards, adopting the attire of peasant women. The formalization of their vows and the official recognition by Rome came only later, under Vincent’s directive.

Despite challenges, including the initial resistance to take in neglected children and Louise’s own health struggles, she tirelessly worked to expand the community across France. By her death on March 15, 1660, the congregation boasted over 40 houses. Vincent de Paul passed away six months later.

Canonized in 1934 and named patroness of social workers in 1960, Louise de Marillac’s legacy endures as a testament to compassion and resilience.

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“All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14) It’s a phrase that’s made its way into everyday wisdom—even outside of religious settings. We say things like: “Pride comes before a fall,” or “What goes up must come down,” or
“The higher you climb, the harder you fall,” or “Empty vessels make the most noise.” And while all these sayings carry a certain truth, they don’t quite capture what Jesus is saying here.

In the parable, Jesus describes two men going up to the temple to pray. One is a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee is confident. He recounts his spiritual résumé—his achievements, his goodness, his image. He’s not exactly lying—he probably does fast and tithe. But he missed the point. He wasn’t praying to be known by God. He was performing. He came to God to present an image of himself, not to have a relationship. He trusted in what he had made of his life.

Sometimes when we pray we offer to God what we think will impress him. Or we simply remain wrapped in ourselves and chatter about the things that make us comfortable. But whatever we accomplish on our own steam—even if it brings influence, power, success, or admiration—
it doesn’t last. It can’t give us life. It crumbles. And God isn’t interested in images. He wants us.

The tax collector shows us this: he speaks directly to God a humble, honest, vulnerable prayer that opens the door to a relationship with God even though he knew that what he was doing with his life was not something he was proud of. He doesn’t pretend. He just shows up—with all of his regret, his weakness, his need. And that’s what moves the heart of God.

I remember the day I realized this in my own life—that all that is good within me, any good that I do, is a gift of the Spirit. I remember the freedom that swept over me. The relief. The tears. The gratitude. I didn’t have to prove anything anymore. I didn’t have to earn the love that was already being given. All I had to do was receive it. And let it change me.

Humility opens the door to relationship and grace. God doesn’t want your résumé. He wants your heart. So whether it is pride or fear that leads you to chatter about yourself to God, today come before him and simply say: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Just a simple offering of your heart to the One who loves you. And if you’re afraid that God doesn’t love you—or afraid to come close to Him—hear this: God doesn’t want your résumé. He doesn’t need your achievements, your image, or your explanations. He just wants you. 

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“Todo el que se enaltece será humillado, y el que se humilla será enaltecido” (Lucas 18,14). Es una frase que se ha incorporado a la sabiduría popular, incluso fuera del ámbito religioso. Decimos cosas como: “El orgullo precede a la caída”, o “Todo lo que sube, baja”, o “Cuanto más alto subes, más dura es la caída,” o “El contenedor vacío es el que hace más bulla”. Y si bien todos estos dichos encierran algo de verdad, no captan del todo lo que Jesús quiere decir.

En la parábola, Jesús describe a dos hombres que suben al templo a orar. Uno es fariseo, el otro recaudador de impuestos. El fariseo es seguro de sí mismo. Enumera su trayectoria espiritual: sus logros, su bondad, su imagen. No miente del todo; probablemente ayuna y da diezmo. Pero no entendió lo esencial. No oraba para ser conocido por Dios. Estaba actuando. Se presentó ante Dios para proyectar una imagen de sí mismo, no para tener una relación con él. Confiaba en lo que había logrado con su vida.

A veces, cuando oramos, le ofrecemos a Dios lo que creemos que lo impresionará. O simplemente nos enredamos en nosotros mismos y hablamos de las cosas que nos hacen sentir cómodos. Pero todo lo que conseguimos por nuestro propio esfuerzo —aunque nos traiga influencia, poder, éxito o admiración—no perdura. No puede darnos vida. Se desvanece. Y a Dios no le interesan las imágenes. Nos quiere a nosotros.

El recaudador de impuestos nos muestra esto: le dirige a Dios una oración humilde, honesta y vulnerable que abre la puerta a una relación con Él, aun sabiendo que no se sentía orgulloso de lo que hacía con su vida. No finge. Simplemente se presenta, con todo su arrepentimiento, su debilidad, su necesidad. Y eso es lo que conmueve el corazón de Dios.

Recuerdo el día en que lo comprendí en mi propia vida: que todo lo bueno que hay en mí, todo el bien que hago, es un don del Espíritu. Recuerdo la libertad que me inundó. El alivio. Las lágrimas. La gratitud. Ya no tenía que demostrar nada. No tenía que ganarme el amor que ya me daban. Solo tenía que recibirlo y dejar que me transformara.

La humildad abre la puerta a la relación y a la gracia. Dios no quiere tu currículum de vida. Quiere tu corazón. Así que, ya sea que el orgullo o el miedo te lleven a hablarle a Dios sobre ti mismo, hoy preséntate ante él y simplemente dile: “Dios, ten misericordia de mí, pecador”. Una simple ofrenda de tu corazón a Aquel que te ama. Y si temes que Dios no te ame, o si tienes miedo de acercarte a él, escucha esto: Dios no quiere tu currículum de vida. No necesita tus logros, tu imagen ni tus explicaciones. Solo te quiere a ti.

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Sr. Kathryn J. Hermes

Sr. Kathryn James Hermes, FSP, is an author and offers online evangelization as well as spiritual formation for people on their journey of spiritual transformation and inner healing. Website: www.touchingthesunrise.com My Books: https://touchingthesunrise.com/books/
Public Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/srkathrynhermes/ HeartWork Spiritual Formation Group: https://touchingthesunrise.com/heartwork/

Feature Image Credit: Arina Krasnikova, pexels.com/photo/a-woman-praying-inside-the-church-5418305/

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.

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Born around 895, Matilda, the offspring of a German count, entered an arranged marriage with nobleman Henry in her youth. This union soon elevated her to Queen of Germany upon Henry’s ascent to the throne. Despite her elevated status, Matilda embraced a modest life marked by devotion and prayer.

Her benevolence and kindness were apparent to all. Matilda’s queenly role seemed secondary to her maternal instinct. She sought out the sick, comforted them, and offered help to prisoners. Her position did not corrupt her; instead, it served as a bridge to those in distress.

Henry, witnessing his wife’s extraordinary nature, often expressed how she enriched his life and reign. Their arranged marriage blossomed into genuine love.

Matilda’s charitable efforts included founding Benedictine abbeys and utilizing the kingdom’s wealth for the needy, actions supported fully by Henry. This partnership in empathy highlighted their rule, making Henry more attuned to his subjects’ plight, realizing his power to alleviate suffering. Their marriage, a harmonious blend of love and mutual respect, lasted twenty-three years until Henry’s unexpected death in 936.

The king’s death plunged Matilda into deep sorrow. In a gesture of renunciation, she donated her jewels to the church during Mass for Henry’s soul, symbolizing her detachment from worldly possessions and dedicating her life to the divine.

However, Matilda’s life was not without fault. She showed undue favoritism towards her son Henry over Otto in the succession, a decision she later regretted. This partiality eventually led to her estrangement and false accusation by Otto of mismanaging finances after Henry’s demise.

In her later years, Matilda devoted herself to charity and penance, dying peacefully in 968. Buried next to her husband, her life offers a lesson in humility, the power of redemptive suffering, and the importance of forgiveness, even amidst familial discord.

Photo credit: Fæ via Wikimedia Commons

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Today’s Gospel appears in the early days of Holy Week when Jesus is preaching in Jerusalem and being questioned by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. The answer to today’s question, which is often referred to as the Greatest Commandment, is one any catechist might hear from their students during a lesson on the Ten Commandments.

We often recognize the Ten Commandments as the foundation of moral laws; however, they are not simply a list of rights and wrongs set to limit our freedom. They are the pathway to living in a loving relationship with God and as Jesus points out to the scribe, the first commandment brings us closer to God than any other. Every lesson begins and ends with God’s love for us and our ability to take that love and share it outward.

When teaching students about The Greatest Commandment, I have them cut a piece of paper into a circle and draw an image representing how we love God on one side. Then I ask them to flip it over and draw how we show love for our neighbor. This lesson helps children understand that this Commandment is like a two-sided coin. You cannot have one without the other. You cannot show love for God without also showing love for your neighbor. 

Our neighbor is all of humankind; every interaction we experience is an opportunity to Love. With love, we can soar to the highest heights. With love, we can share the deepest sorrow.  When our actions are rooted in love, when we are filled with love for God, that love pours out to one another.  

Children learn to say “I love you” primarily from their parents and they develop an understanding of what love is over the course of a thousand different interactions in their life. Indeed, to love is an action – great or small – that shows we want the best for another person, even above our own self-interests.  

But we live in a world that is quick to judge, quick to respond, and in some venues – especially online – we distance ourselves from recognizing that the words on the screen belong to a real person, another of God’s children, different from us, but same in that they are loved by God.  We all want to be seen, accepted and  loved. If we love our neighbor, then we must love them even and especially in the toughest, hardest moments of our lives and theirs, because this is the lesson’s final test. 

What would you draw on your two-sided coin to remind yourself of the Greatest Commandment? Meditate on the great love you have for God and be conscious of that love pouring from you today as you interact with others, even in the more difficult moments. 

Lord, in every opportunity, let me be mindful of my great love for You through my daily interactions. Help me to love my neighbor as I love You.

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El Evangelio de hoy se sitúa al comienzo de la Semana Santa, cuando Jesús predica en Jerusalén y es interrogado por los sumos sacerdotes, escribas y ancianos. La respuesta a la pregunta de hoy, a menudo nombrado el Gran Mandamiento, es una que cualquier catequista podría escuchar de sus alumnos durante una lección sobre los Diez Mandamientos.

Solemos reconocer los Diez Mandamientos como el fundamento de las leyes morales; sin embargo, no son simplemente una lista de lo correcto y lo incorrecto que limita nuestra libertad. Son el camino para vivir en una relación de amor con Dios y, como Jesús le indica al escriba, el primer mandamiento nos acerca a Dios más que ningún otro. Cada lección comienza y termina con el amor de Dios por nosotros y nuestra capacidad de recibir ese amor y compartirlo con los demás.

Cuando enseño a mis alumnos sobre el Gran Mandamiento, les pido que recorten un círculo de papel y dibujen en un lado una imagen que represente cómo amamos a Dios. Luego les pido que le den la vuelta y dibujen cómo mostramos amor al prójimo. Esta lección ayuda a los niños a comprender que este mandamiento es como una moneda de dos caras. No se puede tener uno sin el otro. No se puede demostrar amor a Dios sin demostrar también amor al prójimo.

Nuestro prójimo es toda la humanidad; cada interacción que experimentamos es una oportunidad para amar. Con amor, podemos alcanzar las mayores alturas. Con amor, podemos compartir el dolor más profundo. Cuando nuestras acciones están arraigadas en el amor, cuando estamos llenos de amor por Dios, ese amor se derrama hacia los demás.

Los niños aprenden a decir “Te amo” principalmente de sus padres y desarrollan una comprensión de lo que es el amor a lo largo de miles de interacciones diferentes en su vida. De hecho, amar es una acción —grande o pequeña— que demuestra que queremos lo mejor para otra persona, incluso por encima de nuestros propios intereses.

Pero vivimos en un mundo que juzga y responde con rapidez, y en algunos ámbitos —especialmente en línea— nos distanciamos de reconocer que las palabras en la pantalla pertenecen a una persona real, otro hijo de Dios, diferente a nosotros, pero igual en el sentido de que es amado por Dios. Todos deseamos ser vistos, aceptados y amados. Si amamos al prójimo, debemos amarlo incluso, y especialmente, en los momentos más difíciles de nuestras vidas y de las suyas, porque esta es la prueba final de la lección.

¿Qué dibujarías en tu moneda de dos caras para recordar el Gran Mandamiento? Medita en el gran amor que sientes por Dios y sé consciente de cómo ese amor emana de ti hoy al interactuar con los demás, incluso en los momentos más difíciles.

Señor, en cada oportunidad, permíteme ser consciente de mi gran amor por Ti a través de mis interacciones diarias. Ayúdame a amar a mi prójimo como te amo a Ti.

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Shelly Henley Kelly is a wife, mother of three, and native Texan who writes and records a podcast with her sister on Of Sound Mind and Spirit and is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom. When not writing or recording, Shelly can be found volunteering as a Youth Ministry Catechist, keeping the scorebook at her son’s baseball games, diving deep into historical research, or hiding with a good book in between games.

Feature Image Credit: Loume Visser, unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-of-hands-shaking-KFtGgduiaN4

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.

Daily Reading

 

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Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday

The feast of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday solemnly commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and is the oldest of the observances peculiar to Holy Week. The post Holy Thursday appeared

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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

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