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Matthew chose to begin his Gospel with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Many parishes omit these lines in favor of the short form, choosing only to read later verses showing how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. Yet, blessed are those who listen to (and read aloud) the litany of names proclaiming all twenty-eight generations connecting Abraham to Jesus. 

While the Old Testament chronicles the generational brokenness and sin found in God’s followers across the centuries, Matthew’s genealogy reveals an unbroken chain of men and women used by God to fulfill His promise of salvation. Early Christians would understand this pattern of faithful men and women persevering through sin and failure, continuing to serve God as they wait in hope for the Messiah to come. 

Genealogy continues to grow in popularity today, as many people wonder where they came from, who their ancestors are, and where they belong in life. When we belong to Christ, we are God’s people, and this genealogy becomes part of our spiritual ancestry. We trust that whatever brokenness lies in our past, God uses it for His glory in our lives today. God is with us in Christ Jesus, and through Him we are fully known, loved, and redeemed. 

I invite you to reflect on the origin and development of your own family. How did you come to Christ, and where do you see Him at work today? 

God, we struggle with so much brokenness in our past, but we praise Your faithfulness and Your promise that through Your Son, Jesus, we are redeemed.

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Mateo decidió comenzar su Evangelio con la genealogía de Jesucristo. Muchas parroquias omiten estos pasajes en favor de la forma abreviada, optando únicamente por leer los versículos posteriores que relatan cómo se produjo el nacimiento de Jesucristo. Sin embargo, bienaventurados aquellos que escuchan (y leen en voz alta) la letanía de nombres que proclama las veintiocho generaciones que conectan a Abraham con Jesús.

Mientras el Antiguo Testamento relata la fragilidad generacional y el pecado presentes en los seguidores de Dios a lo largo de los siglos, la genealogía de Mateo revela una cadena ininterrumpida de hombres y mujeres que fueron instrumentos de Dios para cumplir Su promesa de salvación. Los primeros cristianos comprendían este patrón de hombres y mujeres fieles que perseveraron a pesar del pecado y el fracaso, continuando en el servicio de Dios mientras aguardaban con esperanza la venida del Mesías.

La genealogía sigue ganando popularidad hoy en día, ya que muchas personas se preguntan de dónde provienen, quiénes son sus antepasados ​​y cuál es su lugar en la vida. Cuando pertenecemos a Cristo, somos el pueblo de Dios, y esta genealogía pasa a formar parte de nuestra ascendencia espiritual. Confiamos en que, cualquiera que sea la fragilidad que haya en nuestro pasado, Dios la utiliza para Su gloria en nuestras vidas hoy. Dios está con nosotros en Cristo Jesús, y a través de Él somos plenamente conocidos, amados y redimidos.

Te invito a reflexionar sobre el origen y el desarrollo de tu propia familia. ¿Cómo llegaste a Cristo y dónde ves que Él está obrando hoy?

Dios, luchamos con tanta fragilidad en nuestro pasado, pero alabamos Tu fidelidad y Tu promesa de que, a través de Tu Hijo Jesús, somos redimidos.

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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 called 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.

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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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We live in a world of instant communication where we can see more things than ever. Photographs and videos from all around the world populate in our inbox and on social media and streaming services. In the news, we see what is shown to us, and we allow ourselves to believe on some level of fact, depending on who is telling us the facts. We have opinions on everything these days, even if we are uneducated on the topic. 

In entertainment, we see computer-generated images of things that don’t really exist in our world, but we want to believe what we are seeing for entertainment’s sake. In a world of instant news and fantastic entertainment, it is difficult to make us believe anything we are seeing is real. If we saw a man’s hand being healed right in front of us, we would think it was a magic trick, or that we were being fooled on Candid Camera. Artificial Intelligence is making us look closer and consider what we are seeing. When it comes to entertainment, we enjoy what AI can create but in an age of questionable facts, AI is helping any random individual to make fiction into facts. 

What the Pharisees saw was something extraordinary and in-person. There was no electricity or screens. Jesus healed a man right before their eyes, but instead of considering what this was, and Who this was, their pride and their laws distracted them. They believed what they saw, that in an instant the man was healed, but because they hated the person performing the miracle, they were blind to the truth. Instead of believing in Jesus, they discussed how they could turn this infraction of the rules to their advantage. They had the facts and still they decided that Jesus was an outlaw. Their opinions were more important to them than the facts.

Many of us have a narrative running in our minds as well. Sometimes we turn away from what we don’t like, and we turn towards what we like. Sometimes we hold onto our pride and run with our own narrative. Perhaps we could take a second look and see the truth of the Gospel for what it is and focus on learning exactly what Jesus is trying to teach us, lest our opinions lead us astray, just like the Pharisees.

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Vivimos en un mundo de comunicación instantánea donde podemos ver más cosas que nunca. Fotografías y videos de todas partes del mundo inundan nuestros correos electrónicos, las redes sociales y los servicios de streaming. En las noticias, vemos aquello que se nos muestra, y nos permitimos creer —hasta cierto punto— que se trata de hechos reales, dependiendo de quién sea la persona que nos los relata. Hoy en día tenemos opiniones de todo, incluso si no sabemos nada sobre el tema en cuestión.

En el ámbito del entretenimiento, vemos imágenes generadas por computadora de cosas que en realidad no existen en nuestro mundo; sin embargo, deseamos creer en lo que vemos, simplemente por el placer que nos brinda el entretenimiento. En un mundo de noticias instantáneas y entretenimiento fantástico, resulta difícil lograr que creamos que algo de lo que vemos es real. Si viéramos la mano de un hombre sanar justo delante de nuestros ojos, pensaríamos que se trata de un truco de magia o que estamos siendo víctimas de una cámara oculta. La inteligencia artificial nos está obligando a observar con mayor detenimiento y a cuestionarnos aquello que vemos. En lo que respecta al entretenimiento, disfrutamos de las creaciones de la IA; no obstante, en una era de hechos cuestionables, la IA está facilitando que cualquier individuo convierta la ficción en hechos supuestamente reales.

Lo que vieron los fariseos fue algo extraordinario y presencial. No existían la electricidad ni las pantallas. Jesús sanó a un hombre ante sus propios ojos; sin embargo, en lugar de reflexionar sobre la naturaleza de aquel suceso —y sobre la identidad de quien lo realizaba— su orgullo y sus leyes terminaron por distraerlos. Creyeron en lo que vieron —que, en un instante, el hombre había quedado sanado— pero, dado que odiaban a la persona que había obrado el milagro, permanecieron ciegos ante la verdad. En lugar de creer en Jesús, se dedicaron a debatir cómo podrían utilizar aquella infracción de las normas en su propio beneficio. Tenían los hechos ante sí y, aun así, decidieron que Jesús era un transgresor de la ley. Sus propias opiniones resultaban ser más importantes para ellos que los hechos objetivos.

Muchos de nosotros albergamos también una narrativa particular en nuestra cabeza. A veces, damos la espalda a lo que nos desagrada y nos volvemos hacia lo que nos complace. En ocasiones, nos aferramos al orgullo y nos dejamos llevar por nuestra propia narrativa interna. Quizás deberíamos detenernos a observar con una nueva perspectiva, para así reconocer la verdad del Evangelio tal como es, y centrarnos en aprender exactamente lo que Jesús intenta enseñarnos; de este modo, evitaremos que nuestras propias opiniones nos desvíen del camino, tal como les ocurrió a los fariseos.

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Anita L Renaghan is the author of several books including literary fiction, science fiction, and a young adult trilogy. She loves a good character study and has been many characters herself including: an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force, a college graduate, a second degree blackbelt, lost, a waitress and bartender, a wife and mother, an account executive, found, and a constantly inventive singer-songwriter. Anita is interested in sharing her faith with others through her writings and story characters. Her website is anitarenaghan.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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One of the most exciting things in my adult life has been seeing family members give themselves to God and His Church. I have two nephews in seminary, a niece finishing up two years of ministering to the poor on the streets of Denver, a nephew who works at a church and other nieces who are active in youth ministry. My heart swells with joy and pride at seeing them know, love and serve our Lord. 

Over the past two years, my son has been participating in youth group and service activities as well. We have been blessed to have a NET Discipleship Team with us during that time and it has made a tremendous impact on him. He has begun watching Fr. Mike Schmitz and Bishop Barron videos and even binge watched all five seasons of The Chosen of his own accord. But even more surprisingly, he recently told us he had been feeling a call to the priesthood!

Up until now, when we asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up, he gave us a typical teenage answer. “I want to be a you-tuber, and if that falls through, a lawyer.” Then, since our family has had its fair share of medical issues, he began considering becoming a doctor. But one day, after he got grossed out by my husband and I smooching in the kitchen, I jokingly responded, “Well, you need to learn how to be affectionate somehow.” And he responded, “Not if I’m going to be a priest!” 

God has His timing and His ways. His voice is like a gentle whisper that burns within our souls. Fittingly, today’s Psalm reminds us: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Oh, how easy it is to drown Him out! How much more comfortable it is to fill our days with endless activity and ceaseless noise instead of sitting still in the silence to hear Him speak to us. How I wish our hearts would long to hear His voice! For those who seek to hear it, will.

We may not all hear the call to priesthood or religious life or missionary work, but we will hear Him calling us to sainthood. We may not hear Him asking us to write or speak eloquent words, but we will hear Him calling us to love Him and our neighbor. We may not hear Him asking us to die for Him, but we will hear Him asking us to serve Him with our lives. 

What do you hear our Lord asking of you?

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Una de las cosas más emocionantes de mi vida adulta ha sido ver a miembros de mi familia entregarse a Dios y a Su Iglesia. Tengo dos sobrinos en el seminario, una sobrina que está terminando dos años de servicio a los pobres en las calles de Denver, un sobrino que trabaja en una iglesia y otras sobrinas que participan activamente en el ministerio juvenil. Mi corazón se desborda de alegría y orgullo al verlos conocer, amar y servir a nuestro Señor.

Durante los últimos dos años, mi hijo también ha estado participando en el grupo juvenil y en actividades de servicio. Hemos tenido la bendición de contar con un equipo de discipulado de NET durante ese tiempo, lo cual ha tenido un impacto tremendo en él. Ha comenzado a ver videos del Padre Mike Schmitz y del Obispo Barron, e incluso ha visto las cinco temporadas completas de The Chosen por iniciativa propia. Pero, lo que resulta aún más sorprendente, ¡hace poco nos confesó que sentía un llamado al sacerdocio!

Hasta ahora, cuando le preguntábamos qué quería hacer de mayor, nos daba la típica respuesta de un adolescente: “Quiero ser youtuber y, si eso no resulta, capaz un abogado”. Luego, dado que nuestra familia ha tenido una buena dosis de problemas de salud, comenzó a considerar la posibilidad de ser médico. Pero un día, después de que le diera un poco de asco vernos a mi esposo y yo besando en la cocina, le respondí en tono de broma: “Bueno, de alguna manera tienes que aprender a ser cariñoso”. Y él contestó: “¡No si voy a ser sacerdote!”

Dios tiene sus momentos y sus caminos. Su voz es como un suave susurro que arde en lo profundo de nuestras almas. Muy oportunamente, el Salmo de hoy nos recuerda que no seamos sordos a su voz. ¡Oh, qué fácil resulta acallar su voz! Cuán más cómodo es llenar nuestros días de actividades incesantes y del ruido constante, en lugar de sentarnos quietos en el silencio para escucharlo hablarnos. ¡Cuánto desearía que nuestros corazones anhelaran escuchar Su voz! Pues aquellos que busquen escucharla, la escucharán.

Tal vez no todos escuchemos el llamado al sacerdocio, a la vida religiosa o a la labor misionera; pero sí lo escucharemos llamándonos a la santidad. Tal vez no lo escuchemos pidiéndonos que escribamos o pronunciemos palabras elocuentes, pero sí lo escucharemos llamándonos a amarlo a Él y al prójimo. Tal vez no lo escuchemos pidiéndonos que muramos por Él, pero sí lo escucharemos pidiéndonos que lo sirvamos con nuestras vidas.

¿Qué te pide nuestro Señor a tí?

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Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adult she was a missionary in Mexico, where she studied theology and philosophy. After returning stateside bilingual, she gained a variety of work experience, traveled extensively and finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Brescia University. She loves organizing and simplifying things, watching her children play sports, deep conversations with close family and friends and finding unique ways to brighten others’ day with Christ’s love. She works full time at Diocesan in the Software Department and manages the Inspiration Daily reflections. She is also a contributing writer on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net.

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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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“Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins” (Luke 5:38). How would it feel to be fresh and new, like a new wineskin? In so many ways, Jesus gives us the opportunity to renew ourselves and become a new creation. For example, a man and woman start their wedding day as two individuals, but as soon as they are married they become one, a new creation. Upon entering marriage, we shed the old and embrace the new. 

When in your life do you remember when you shed what was old and took on what was new? I look back on the time I came home from college for the first time. I walked into what had been my family home and suddenly realized that either the house had shrunk or I had grown taller. Everything seemed different. As I entered my old room, what had once been a treasured memory seemed to have little value. I realized I was the one who had changed, I was a new creation. 

Like the old wineskin, what was once new can grow stale. Perhaps we become stale when we choose not to go to confession. We become distant and unattached to our Lord. The best feeling comes after you go to confession and place all the heavy burdens and sins in Jesus’s hands asking for forgiveness. When you walk out of the confessional, you feel light as a feather and like a new creation, fresh and filled with His love. This is called Metanoia, a profound spiritual transformative change of heart or mind. 

How do we stay in this state? I find that when I feel the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, I don’t want it to go away, and if it does, I want it back. What should we do? James 4:2 reminds us that all we have to do is ask. What a thought! 

How many times throughout the day do we reject Jesus’s words in Scripture or those spoken to us? Without batting an eye, we don’t even look back at our actions? Let’s take our thoughts captive. Let’s stop and think about the old wine, the new wineskins, our sins, and our love for Jesus.  It is up to us to either accept or reject Jesus’s words and teachings. Why not ask Him to guide us? All He wants is our friendship and our love. Let’s start fresh today and allow Him to make us into a new creation.

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“El vino nuevo hay que echarlo en odres nuevos” (Lucas 5,38). ¿Qué se sentiría ser fresco y nuevo, como un odre nuevo? De muchas maneras, Jesús nos brinda la oportunidad de renovarnos y convertirnos en una nueva creación. Por ejemplo, un hombre y una mujer comienzan el día de su boda como dos individuos, pero tan pronto como se casan, se convierten en uno solo: una nueva creación. Al entrar en el matrimonio, nos desprendemos de lo viejo y abrazamos lo nuevo.

¿En qué momento de tu vida recuerdas haberte desprendido de lo viejo para asumir lo nuevo? Miro atrás, a la época en que regresé a casa desde la universidad por primera vez. Entré en la que había sido mi casa familiar y, de repente, me di cuenta de que o la casa se había encogido, o yo había crecido. Todo parecía diferente. Al entrar en mi antiguo cuarto, lo que alguna vez había sido un recuerdo atesorado, parecía tener poco valor. Comprendí que era yo quien había cambiado; yo era una nueva creación.

Al igual que el odre viejo, aquello que alguna vez fue nuevo puede volverse rancio. Quizás nos volvemos rancios cuando decidimos no acudir a la confesión. Nos distanciamos y perdemos el vínculo con nuestro Señor. La mejor sensación llega después de ir a confesarse y depositar todas las pesadas cargas y pecados en las manos de Jesús, pidiendo perdón. Al salir del confesionario, te sientes ligero como una pluma y como una nueva creación: fresco y colmado de Su amor. A esto se le llama “metanoia”: un cambio profundo, espiritual y transformador del corazón o de la mente.

¿Cómo podemos mantenernos en este estado? Descubro que, cuando siento el derramamiento del Espíritu Santo, no quiero que se marche; y si lo hace, deseo recuperarlo. ¿Qué debemos hacer? Santiago 4,2 nos recuerda que todo lo que tenemos que hacer es pedir. ¡Qué pensamiento tan revelador!

¿Cuántas veces a lo largo del día rechazamos las palabras de Jesús en las Escrituras, o aquellas que se nos dirigen directamente? ¿Sin pestañear, sin siquiera detenernos a reflexionar sobre nuestras acciones? Hagamos cautivos nuestros pensamientos. Detengámonos a reflexionar sobre el vino viejo, los odres nuevos, nuestros pecados y nuestro amor por Jesús. De nosotros depende aceptar o rechazar las palabras y enseñanzas de Jesús. ¿Por qué no pedirle que nos guíe? Lo único que Él quiere es nuestra amistad y nuestro amor. Vamos a empezar de nuevo hoy a permitirle hacernos una nueva creación.

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Marti Garcia’s passions are her retired life and growing deeper in her Catholic faith. Marti is a Sacristan/EM, facilitates small groups, and assists as a First Communion Catechist for parents. Being a parent educator and writer for 35 years, she recently published a children’s chapter book on Amazon, The Ladybugs. You can find her at her blog: MartiGarcia.org, or thewaterisshallow.com, or her cohost podcast, findingacommonthread.com, which is coming soon.

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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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Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and eleven grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is www.KathrynTherese.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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Do you ever notice how Jesus moves in the Gospels? I don’t mean how He moves His limbs: I mean the way He acts, how He operates, His way of being. It’s striking.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus goes straight from the synagogue to Simon’s house for a visit. When He is asked to heal Simon’s mother-in-law, He does so immediately. The same day, he cures a large number of people who have been waiting for Him. Jesus doesn’t waste any time. He is on a mission, even in the smallest of actions.

It might have taken quite a while for Jesus to engage with all of these people, of course. He could have chatted with the people at Simon’s mother-in-law’s house for a while before healing her. He could have taught in the synagogue for two hours. We don’t know. What we do know is that Jesus’ time is valuable, and He uses every minute of it for activities that are relevant to His mission, to His purpose in life.

And when there is something that is not aligned with that mission and purpose, He immediately addresses it. The demons exorcised from the supplicants proclaim Him the Son of God, and He wastes no time arguing. He rebukes them and forbids them to speak of His divinity. When the crowds come to Him in a deserted place and try to prevent Him from leaving, He simply tells them that He must go to other towns. And then He leaves them, going straight to the synagogues of Judea.

Notice what isn’t present here. Jesus is not stressing about His decisions. He’s not apologizing for letting people down. He’s not drawing unnecessary attention to Himself. There is no hesitation in Jesus. There is no pride in Jesus. There is no timidity in Jesus.

Jesus knows what He is about, and He does the things that He came to earth to do. He does only those things, and He does nothing else. And people notice. They line up to be healed by Him. They ask for His advice. They want Him to stay with them. Jesus is magnetic.

We know that Jesus is the Son of God, that He is divine, that He is the Messiah. Of course He’s magnetic. And we forget: Not everyone knew that at the time. They were left to conclude His identity based on what they heard and saw. And what did they hear and see? Miracles, sure. But not all of them saw the miracles. All of them saw the man: A powerful, confident, decisive man who gave them what no others could and did not waste a moment of their time. A man who knew what He was about and where He was going, and spent all of His energy actualizing it.

Let’s look to Christ and see what the crowds saw. Then take it a step further and move as Christ moved.

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¿Alguna vez te has fijado en la manera en que Jesús se mueve en los Evangelios? No me refiero a cómo mueve sus miembros, sino a su forma de actuar, a su modo de operar, a su manera de ser. Es algo asombroso.

En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús se dirige directamente desde la sinagoga a la casa de Simón para hacer una visita. Cuando le piden que cure a la suegra de Simón, lo hace de inmediato. Ese mismo día, sana a un gran número de personas que lo han estado esperando. Jesús no pierde el tiempo. Él está inmerso en una misión, incluso en la más pequeña de sus acciones.

Por supuesto, es posible que a Jesús le haya tomado bastante tiempo atender a todas estas personas. Podría haberse quedado charlando un rato con la gente en la casa de la suegra de Simón antes de curarla. Podría haber pasado dos horas enseñando en la sinagoga. No lo sabemos. Lo que sí sabemos es que el tiempo de Jesús es valioso, y él utiliza cada minuto en actividades que son pertinentes para su misión, para su propósito en la vida.

Y cuando surge algo que no está alineado con esa misión y ese propósito, lo aborda de inmediato. Los demonios que son expulsados ​​de los suplicantes lo proclaman Hijo de Dios, y no pierde tiempo en discusiones; los reprende y les prohíbe hablar de su divinidad. Cuando las multitudes acuden a él en un lugar desierto e intentan impedir que se marche, simplemente les dice que debe ir a otros pueblos. Y entonces los deja, dirigiéndose directamente a las sinagogas de Judea.

Observa lo que aquí está ausente. Jesús no se angustia por sus decisiones. No se disculpa por decepcionar a la gente. No busca llamar la atención innecesariamente sobre sí mismo. En Jesús no hay vacilación. En Jesús no hay soberbia. En Jesús no hay timidez.

Jesús sabe perfectamente a qué ha venido, y hace aquello que vino a la tierra para hacer. Hace únicamente esas cosas, y no hace nada más. Y la gente lo nota. Hacen fila para ser sanados por él. Le piden consejo. Desean que se quede con ellos. Jesús es magnético. 

Sabemos que Jesús es el Hijo de Dios, que es divino, que es el Mesías. Por supuesto que es magnético. Y olvidamos algo: no todos sabían eso en aquel entonces. Tuvieron que deducir su identidad basándose en lo que oían y veían. ¿Y qué oían y veían? Milagros, sin duda. Pero no todos presenciaron los milagros. Todos, sin embargo, vieron al hombre: un hombre poderoso, seguro de sí mismo y decidido, que les ofrecía lo que nadie más podía darles y que no desperdiciaba ni un solo instante de su tiempo. Un hombre que sabía cuál era su propósito y hacia dónde se dirigía, y que dedicaba toda su energía a hacerlo realidad.

Volvamos nuestra mirada hacia Cristo y veamos lo que vieron las multitudes. Luego, demos un paso más allá y actuemos tal como actuó Cristo.

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David Dashiell is a freelance author, editor, and publisher in Hawaii. He has three children, a degree in theology, and enjoys writing poetry and discussing philosophy, culture, music, theology, and comedy. You can find his poetry blog, Poems at Twilight, on Substack, his publishing company, Ether Press, here, and his personal website here.

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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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“Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might” (Psalm 145:11).

Discourse and speech. Such powerful roles these forms of communication play in the lives of humans. Something glorious occurs, and we long to tell someone. Something terrible occurs, and we often do the same. 

Unfortunately, it seems the bad news tends to dominate daily headlines, bombarding our attention with fear, violence, and scandal. More rarely does one hear the voice of good news in the public arena. That is why the readings for today are so refreshing. They tell of the Lord’s compassion and how the good news of Him “spread everywhere in the surrounding region” (Luke 4:37).

Perhaps disappointments and frustrations have caused us to stumble, or our shoulders are slumping under the weight of long days. The psalmist reminds us, “The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14). This is good news! 

Or perhaps the weight is a bit heavier, and darkness and discord are creating chaos in our lives. Luke reminds us that the word of the Lord can cast out demons: “for with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits and they come out” (Luke 4:36). This, too, is good news!

But it is the exclamation of the witnesses, “What is there about his word?” which offers us, the modern witness, an opportunity to meditate even more deeply on the truths of our faith. Specifically, that Jesus is the Word, who was in the beginning, who was with God, who is God. He is the Word made flesh. And it is His word that will shine in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it. This is the Good News, and it is moving among us. 

What is there about His word? Let us find out by getting to know Jesus better in the Word. Let us get to know His words. They have power and authority in our lives if only we allow them to. 

And today, may we grow more aware of being lifted when we fall, raised up when we are bowed down, and cleansed when our spirits have become unclean. May this work of the Lord’s compassion become the subject of our discourse and speech. As we speak concretely of the glory of God’s mysterious ways, of His Kingdom and His might, we might very well change the headlines. And that will be good news.

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“Que proclamen la gloria de tu reino y den a conocer tus maravillas” (Salmo 144,11).

Proclamar y hablar. ¡Qué papeles tan poderosos desempeñan estas formas de comunicación en la vida de los seres humanos! Ocurre algo glorioso, y anhelamos contárselo a alguien. Ocurre algo terrible, y a menudo hacemos lo mismo.

Desafortunadamente, parece que las malas noticias tienden a dominar los titulares diarios, bombardeando nuestra atención con miedo, violencia y escándalo. Con menos frecuencia se escucha la voz de las buenas noticias en la esfera pública. Por eso, las lecturas de hoy resultan tan reconfortantes. Nos hablan de la compasión del Señor y de cómo la buena noticia acerca de Él “se extendió por todos los lugares de la región” (Lucas 4,37).

Quizás las decepciones y frustraciones nos han hecho tropezar, o tal vez nuestros hombros se encorvan bajo el peso de largas jornadas. El salmista nos recuerda que “Da su apoyo el Señor al que tropieza y al agobiado alivia” (Salmo 144,14). ¡Esta es una buena noticia!

O tal vez la carga sea un poco más pesada, y la oscuridad y la discordia estén sembrando el caos en nuestras vidas. Lucas nos recuerda que la palabra del Señor puede expulsar a los demonios: “Porque da órdenes con autoridad y fuerza a los espíritus inmundos y éstos se salen” (Lucas 4,36). ¡Esto también es una buena noticia!

Pero es la exclamación de los testigos — “¿Qué tendrá su palabra?” — la que nos ofrece a nosotros, los testigos de hoy, la oportunidad de meditar aún más profundamente en las verdades de nuestra fe. Específicamente: que Jesús es la Palabra; la que estaba al principio, la que estaba con Dios, la que es Dios. Él es la Palabra hecha carne. Y es Su palabra la que brillará en la oscuridad, y la oscuridad no la vencerá. Esta es la Buena Nueva, y se está moviendo entre nosotros.

¿Qué tiene de especial Su palabra? Descubrámoslo conociendo mejor a Jesús a través de la Palabra. Conozcamos Sus palabras. Tienen poder y autoridad en nuestras vidas, si tan solo se lo permitimos.

Y hoy, que tomemos mayor conciencia de que somos levantados cuando caemos, erguidos cuando estamos encorvados y purificados cuando nuestros espíritus se han vuelto impuros. Que esta obra de la compasión del Señor se convierta en el tema de nuestro discurso y de nuestras palabras. Al hablar concretamente de la gloria de los misteriosos caminos de Dios, de Su Reino y de Su poder, bien podríamos cambiar los titulares. Y eso serán buenas noticias.

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Raine Pyne is a wife, a mother, and a longtime public school educator. She is a member of the Word on Fire Institute’s Writing Community, a student in the Theology of the Body Institute’s Certification program, and a graduate student with Word on Fire at Catholic University of America in the Master of Arts in Evangelization & Culture program. Raine has previously served as a parish catechist and women’s retreat leader. She is passionate about learning, language, and the ever deepening journey of faith.

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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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As I was nearing the end of high school, I had many plans about what I wanted to do after graduation. Although I was a faithful follower of God and attended Mass on Sundays and holy days like I was supposed to, I had my own plans, like we all do.

One of those plans was to become a professional soccer player. I pursued this goal from age 13-19 with great personal sacrifice. I dedicated myself to it so fully that it became my top priority—of course without neglecting my schoolwork or the responsibilities required to finish high school successfully.

Today’s Gospel reading states: “He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” We realize that Jesus came to fulfill God’s will, not His own. Furthermore, He tells us: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” This means that God has a plan for every human being, even His own Son.

Although we have surely shed tears over failing to achieve our goals and over all the sacrifices we have made trying to carry out our own plans, we must understand that not everything unfolds exactly as we want it to. We should ask God for discernment and wisdom, and pray that His will be done regarding what He desires for our lives. He always wants what is best for us. To truly understand this, we must remain in communion with God, otherwise, we risk making poor decisions that could have negative consequences for our lives.

I was unable to achieve my dream of becoming a professional soccer player, and accepting that reality was very difficult for me. But in the end, I moved to the United States at age 20 to pursue a college degree. Was that part of my plan? No. In fact, it seemed almost impossible. Yet today, I have been living in this beautiful country for 26 years, alongside a wonderful wife and children. How I love Your will, O Lord!

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Cuando estaba por terminar el high school tenía muchos planes en mente que quería hacer después de graduarme. Aunque era un fiel seguidor de Dios y cumplía con ir a misa los domingos y días festivos, tenía mis propios planes como cualquiera de nosotros. 

Dentro de esos planes estaba ser jugador de soccer. Lo intenté con mucho sacrificio desde los 13 años hasta los 19 años. Me entregué tanto que era mi prioridad en la vida, por supuesto sin descuidarme de mis clases de high school y los deberes que implicaba terminar bien en la escuela. 

El evangelio de hoy dice, “Se le dio el volumen del profeta Isaías, lo desenrolló y encontró el pasaje en que estaba escrito: El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí, porque me ha ungido para llevar a los pobres la buena nueva, para anunciar la liberación a los cautivos y la curación a los ciegos, para dar libertad a los oprimidos y proclamar el año de gracia del Señor”. Nos damos cuenta que Jesús vino a hacer la voluntad de Dios y no la de Él mismo. Además nos dice  “Hoy mismo se ha cumplido este pasaje de la Escritura, que ustedes acaban de oír”. Es decir que Dios tiene un plan para cada ser humano, hasta para su propio Hijo.

Aunque seguro hemos llorado por no cumplir nuestra metas, y por todo el sacrificio que hemos hecho para tratar de cumplir nuestros planes, debemos entender que no todo se va hacer como nosotros queremos. Más bien, debemos pedirle a Dios discernimiento, sabiduría y que se haga su voluntad para lo que Él quiere en nuestra vida. Siempre va a querer lo mejor para nosotros. Para llegar a entenderlo debemos estar en comunión con Dios, si no, vamos a tomar malas decisiones cuyas consecuencias serían negativas para nuestras vidas. 

No pude lograr ser jugador de soccer profesional y me costó mucho aceptarlo. Al final terminé mudándome a Estados Unidos para estudiar una carrera universitaria a los 20 años. ¿Estaba dentro de mis planes? No. Y aparte era casi imposible hacerlo. Pero hoy en día llevo 26 años viviendo en este país tan hermoso con una esposa e hijos maravillosos. ¡Cuánto amo, Señor, tu voluntad!

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Felix Urcia was born in Lima, Peru. He moved to the U.S. to complete his college degree in Computer Science at Northern Kentucky University. He is passionate about his faith, his family, education and soccer. When he is not homeschooling and caring for his young children he enjoys personal programing projects and sports analysis. He and his wife live in a small town in Western Michigan where they enjoy spending time with their five children.

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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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Dear Jesus, in this season, as in many before, I have felt so distant from You. My cross can feel overbearing. While I should be grateful for my family, I am most commonly the opposite. I feel starved for attention and respite, bitter at the need to be constantly humble. I react with anger and impatience rather than with the submission you ask of me. 

Stabbing, searing, loneliness and despair. Giant, twisted trees of wood rising into the sky. The piercing heaviness of the cross. You received Agony for my sins, took on my suffering and understood it. 

John Paul II said You have made room in Your suffering for me to participate, to know your love. Paul says to rejoice in it. Help me to offer my pain to You, to empty myself so you can fill me. Not my will, but your will be done. Jesus, may I trust in You.

Dr. Alexis Dallara-Marsh is a board-certified neurologist who practices in Bergen County, NJ. She is a wife to her best friend, Akeem, and a mother of four little ones on Earth and two others in heaven above.

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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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Some Gospel passages, like today’s, remind me more clearly than others of the cost of following Christ. The story of John the Baptist’s death is filled with the perils of witnessing to God’s love and mercy in the face of the world’s pride, pressure, and ignorance. Not exactly the kind of Scripture you curl up with and say, “Ah, yes, this feels comforting,” yet maybe that’s exactly why we need it.

I remember many moments in my life when I felt that uncomfortable nudge to speak truth despite the possible death of a relationship. It wasn’t anything dramatic—no royal court or true life-or-death consequences—but it felt big to me. In the end, I needed to do what kept me right with God. Even though not every conversation ended in reconciliation, I trust that I responded as God was asking me to.

Every familiar tug to my heart to choose God over the world is a quiet invitation: Trust Me more than your comfort. That’s where this Gospel meets me. Herod Antipas knew the truth. Scripture tells us he respected John, even liked listening to him. But when the pressure was on, he chose saving face over doing what was right.

If I’m honest, I’ve been there, too. And I am confident that everyone reading this has been there! Maybe not in grand, headline-making ways, but in small, everyday moments. Staying silent. Avoiding awkwardness. Choosing approval over obedience.

John the Baptist, though, lived differently. His courage wasn’t about being loud; it was about being faithful. John understood who he was, and even more importantly, who he was in God—even in Elizabeth’s womb! 

The invitation to live that way presents itself every day, whether in person or in our interactions online. Not to seek out dramatic moments of bravery, but to embrace daily courage. For as the Scripture says, “For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but lose their soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

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Algunos pasajes del Evangelio, como el de hoy, me recuerdan, con mayor claridad que otros, el costo que conlleva seguir a Cristo. La historia de la muerte de Juan el Bautista está repleta de los peligros que enfrentan los que dan testimonio del amor y la misericordia de Dios frente al orgullo, la presión y la ignorancia del mundo. No es precisamente el tipo de pasaje bíblico con el que uno se siente cómodamente en el sofá a leer diciendo: “Ah, sí, esto me resulta reconfortante”; y, sin embargo, tal vez sea precisamente por eso que necesitamos oírla.

Recuerdo muchos momentos de mi vida en los que sentí ese incómodo impulso de decir la verdad, a pesar de que pudiera significar el fin de una relación. No se trataba de nada dramático —nada de la corte real ni de consecuencias reales de vida o muerte—, pero para mí se sentía como algo de enorme magnitud. Al final, sentí la necesidad de hacer lo que me mantenía en rectitud ante Dios. Y aunque no todas las conversaciones terminaron en reconciliación, confío en haber respondido tal como Dios me lo pedía.

Cada estirón familiar en mi corazón —que me insta a elegir a Dios por encima del mundo— constituye una invitación silenciosa: “Confía en Mí más que en tu propia comodidad”. Es precisamente ahí donde este Evangelio sale a mi encuentro. Herodes Antipas conocía la verdad. Las Escrituras nos dicen que respetaba a Juan e, incluso, que le gustaba escucharlo. Pero cuando la presión se hizo sentir, optó por salvar las apariencias en lugar de hacer lo correcto.

Si soy sincero, yo también he pasado por esa situación. ¡Y estoy convencida de que todos los que leen estas líneas han estado en ese mismo lugar! Tal vez no de maneras grandiosas, dignas de ocupar los titulares de los periódicos, sino en pequeños momentos de la vida cotidiana: guardar silencio, evitar situaciones incómodas, elegir la aprobación de los demás por encima de la obediencia a Dios.

Juan el Bautista, sin embargo, vivió de una manera distinta. Su valentía no consistía en alzar la voz, sino en mantenerse fiel. Juan comprendía quién era él y —lo que es aún más importante— quién era él en Dios; ¡incluso desde el vientre de su madre Isabel!

La invitación a vivir de esa manera se nos presenta cada día, ya sea en nuestros encuentros cara a cara o en nuestras interacciones en línea. No se trata de ir en busca de momentos dramáticos de heroísmo, sino de abrazar esa valentía cotidiana. Pues, tal como afirman las Escrituras: “¿De qué le sirve a uno ganar el mundo entero si pierde su propia alma?” (Mateo 16,26).

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Allison Gingras (www.ReconciledToYou.com ) shares an everyday Catholic faith with humor and honesty. Her writing includes The Handy Little Guide to Novenas (OSV), Encountering Signs of Faith (Ave Maria Press), the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women (OSV), and her newest book, Jesus Heals (OSV), published in 2025. Allison is the Director of Digital Evangelization for Family Rosary USA.

Feature Image Credit: Philippe de Champaigne, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/saint-john-the-baptist-21473/

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.