Click here for daily readingsToday we pause to reflect on the primordial gift of all gifts: life. Without life itself, we cannot partake in any of the other wonderful gifts God grants. I have taken part in many pro-life activities throughout the years. I joined my peers to block the entrance of an abortion clinic as a teenager, attended the March for Life in Washington D.C. as a young adult, and prayed outside a women’s clinic during 40 Days for Life in my 40’s. But perhaps the greatest pro-life act I have participated in is motherhood. 

Being open to life throughout marriage has been both a blessing and a cross. Having a large family later in life is both exhilarating and exhausting. Living through my children’s good and bad times has been a rollercoaster of neckbreaking ups and downs. Yet through it all, my husband and I grow in the virtues necessary to inch toward sainthood. We have so many opportunities to practice patience, adaptability, selflessness and unconditional love. I’m pretty sure I would be a very conceited and unhappy person seeking the fulfillment of my next whim if I hadn’t become a mother. 

Today we pray in particular for the legal protection of the unborn. While we celebrated an unmitigated victory back in June of 2022 when Roe v Wade was overturned, we still have a long way to go at the state level. We still have a long way to go at the heart level as well. And while we take the next 24 hours to fast and pray, let us beg our Lord for mercy for the sins of our fellow citizens in killing hundreds of thousands of innocent human beings each year. 

Let us pray:

“Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, protect against the wickedness of the devil, those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life. Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant in our world today who are not thinking of motherhood. Help them to see that the child they carry is made in Your image – as well as theirs – made for eternal life. Dispel their fear and selfishness and give them true womanly hearts to love their babies and give them birth and all the needed care that a mother can give. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.” (Prayer for the Unborn, ewtn.com)

St. Gerard, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us! St. Gianna, pray for us! St. Joseph, pray for us!

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Hoy nos detenemos a reflexionar sobre el don primordial de todos los dones: la vida. Sin la vida misma, no podemos disfrutar de ninguno de los otros maravillosos dones que Dios concede. He participado en muchas actividades provida a lo largo de los años. Me uní a mis compañeros para bloquear la entrada de una clínica de abortos en mi adolescencia, asistí a la Marcha por la Vida en Washington D.C. de joven adulta y recé frente a una clínica de mujeres durante los 40 Días por la Vida en mis 40’s. Pero quizás el mayor acto provida en el que he participado sea la maternidad.

Estar abierta a la vida a lo largo del matrimonio ha sido tanto una bendición como una cruz. Tener una familia numerosa ya siendo un poco mayor es emocionante y agotador a la vez. Vivir los buenos y malos momentos de mis hijos ha sido una montaña rusa de altibajos devastadores. Sin embargo, a pesar de todo, mi esposo y yo crecemos en las virtudes necesarias para acercarnos poquito a poquito a la santidad. Tenemos muchísimas oportunidades para practicar la paciencia, la adaptabilidad, la generosidad y el amor incondicional. Estoy bastante segura de que sería una persona muy engreída e infeliz buscando satisfacer mi próximo capricho si no hubiera sido madre.

Hoy oramos en particular por la protección legal de los no nacidos. Si bien celebramos una victoria contundente en junio de 2022 cuando se anuló el caso Roe v. Wade, aún nos queda mucho más trabajo por hacer a nivel estatal. También nos queda mucho más trabajo por hacer a nivel del corazón. Y mientras dedicamos las próximas 24 horas a ayunar y orar, pidamos a nuestro Señor misericordia por los pecados de nuestros conciudadanos que matan a cientos de miles de seres humanos inocentes cada año.

Oremos:

“Padre Celestial, en tu amor por nosotros, protege de la maldad del diablo a los pequeños indefensos a quienes has dado el don de la vida. Conmueve el corazón de las mujeres embarazadas en nuestro mundo actual que no piensan en la maternidad. Ayúdalas a comprender que el hijo que llevan dentro está hecho a tu imagen, igual que la suya, para la vida eterna. Disipa su miedo y egoísmo, y dales un corazón verdaderamente femenino para amar a sus bebés, darles a luz y darles todos los cuidados necesarios que una madre puede brindar. Te lo pedimos por Jesucristo, tu Hijo, nuestro Señor, que vive y reina contigo y el Espíritu Santo, un solo Dios, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.” (traducción de la Oración por los No Nacidos, ewtn.com)

¡San Gerardo, ruega por nosotros! ¡Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, ruega por nosotros! ¡Santa Gianna, ruega por nosotros! ¡San José, ruega por nosotros!

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Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adulthood 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.

Feature Image Credit: Anastasiia Chepinska,  unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-white-long-sleeve-shirt-B7JVo5y3gL8

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

 

Saint of the Day

 

St. Vincent

St. Vincent Feast date: Jan 22 St. Vincent was Deacon of Saragossa, and a martyr under Diocletian in 304. This most renowned martyr of Spain is represented in the dalmatic of

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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

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Today we hear the classic story of David and Goliath. When I was teaching high school theology classes on Scripture this was one of my favorite examples to bring up when telling the class that the Bible is not a children’s book. I think this story loses much of its meaning when we try to water it down to make it kid friendly so it can be painted on a nursery wall right next to Noah’s Ark. The reality is that the spiritual life is messy and it is often a battle. 

Today’s first reading reminds us of the messiness of life but also of the fact that we are called to engage in it with courage and strength. Notice though, God is not calling us to rely on our own strength, if He was, He would not have picked David for this monumental task. God wants us to rely on His strength, specifically when a spiritual battle is called for. 

This reminds me of some things I often share with our OCIA groups. The overwhelming question I get from new converts is, how can I possibly go and preach the Good News? They believe that if they don’t have a theology degree, they will get tripped up and misrepresent the Gospel. Although we certainly need to be careful not to misrepresent the Gospel, we also need to realize the power of Scripture and the power of God. God is the One who equips and calls. 

Similar to David who was ill equipped by his own strength to handle the monumental task set before him, we are also unequipped until Jesus specifically calls us and gives us what we need to accomplish the task. All of us have been called to preach the Good News and make disciples of all nations. By that very call, God has given us what we need to be effective from within our own circumstances. For some this may not be defending the faith with facts but more just sharing their story of conversion and love of God. 

Either way, we are called, like David, to accept the task in front of us while relying on the grace and strength of Christ and the cross. He will equip us for what He calls us to do, but we have to have the faith to believe that and then the courage to take up the task. 

Today’s first reading gives us a perfect example of the monumental things that can be done when we rely on the grace of God. Evangelization is not nearly as hard as what David faced in this passage of scripture. God made the impossible quite possible, and He can do the same for you and the people in your life that are waiting to hear the Good News. Let’s take up the call this week with a renewed vigor and purpose. 

From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless! 

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Hoy escuchamos la clásica historia de David y Goliat. Cuando enseñaba teología sobre las Escrituras en la escuela secundaria, este era uno de mis ejemplos favoritos al explicarles que la Biblia no es un libro para niños. Creo que esta historia pierde mucho de su significado cuando intentamos diluirla para que sea apropiada para niños y así poder pintarla en la pared de una habitación infantil junto al Arca de Noé. La realidad es que la vida espiritual es complicada y, a menudo, una batalla.

La primera lectura de hoy nos recuerda lo complicada que es la vida, pero también que estamos llamados a vivirla con valentía y fortaleza. Sin embargo, note que Dios no nos llama a confiar en nuestras propias fuerzas; si fuera así, no habría elegido a David para esta tarea monumental. Dios quiere que confiemos en su fuerza, especialmente cuando se requiere una batalla espiritual.

Esto me recuerda algunas cosas que a menudo comparto con los grupos de OCIA. La pregunta abrumadora que recibo de los nuevos conversos es: ¿cómo puedo ir a predicar la Buena Nueva? Creen que si no tienen un título en teología, se equivocarán y tergiversarán el Evangelio. Si bien debemos tener cuidado de no tergiversar el Evangelio, también debemos reconocer el poder de las Escrituras y el poder de Dios. Dios es quien equipa y llama.

Al igual que David, quien, con sus propias fuerzas, no estaba capacitado para afrontar la tarea monumental que le encomendaron, nosotros también estamos desprovistos de herramientas hasta que Jesús nos llama específicamente y nos da lo necesario para llevarla a cabo. Todos hemos sido llamados a predicar la Buena Nueva y hacer discípulos de todas las naciones. Por ese mismo llamado, Dios nos ha dado lo necesario para ser eficaces en nuestras propias circunstancias. Para algunos, esto puede no ser defender la fe con hechos, sino más bien compartir su historia de conversión y amor a Dios.

De cualquier manera, estamos llamados, como David, a aceptar la tarea que tenemos por delante, confiando en la gracia y la fuerza de Cristo y de la cruz. Él nos capacitará para lo que nos llama a hacer, pero debemos tener la fe para creerlo y luego la valentía para asumir la tarea. 

La primera lectura de hoy nos da un ejemplo perfecto de las cosas monumentales que se pueden lograr cuando confiamos en la gracia de Dios. La evangelización no es tan difícil como la que enfrentó David en este pasaje de la Escritura. Dios hizo posible lo imposible, y puede hacer lo mismo por ti y por las personas en tu vida que esperan escuchar la Buena Nueva. Aceptemos el llamado esta semana con vigor y propósito renovados.

De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios te bendiga!

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Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”

Feature Image Credit: Awais Jamil, https://unsplash.com/photos/boy-using-slingshot-RyCp8LFHl84

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

 

Saint of the Day

 

St. Vincent

St. Vincent Feast date: Jan 22 St. Vincent was Deacon of Saragossa, and a martyr under Diocletian in 304. This most renowned martyr of Spain is represented in the dalmatic of

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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

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In today’s Gospel, Jesus and His disciples walk through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and the hungry disciples begin to pick heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees accuse them of harvesting, which would have violated the Sabbath law against any form of “work”. 

Jesus responds with Scripture, recalling how King David ate the “bread of offering,” a food reserved for priests, when he and his men were hungry and had no other means of obtaining food on the Sabbath. Then Jesus speaks the words that reframe everything: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” These words remind me that God’s law was never meant to burden us but to set us free, guiding us into true life with Him.

How often I forget that rest is part of God’s design. I can easily fill every moment with work, my never-ending to-do list, screen time, and countless other distractions, convincing myself that I’m being productive. My friend says that I am the master of productive procrastination! Yet without the Sabbath, without pausing to be renewed in God’s presence, my soul grows weary. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, calls me to trust Him enough to stop striving (even when I stay busy just to  delay a deadline or avoid a task), and to simply rest.

The disciples’ hunger assures me that God cares for even our most basic needs. The Sabbath is not about legalism but about relationship. It is God’s way of saying: “Let Me provide for you. Let Me be enough,” because He is! 

When I rest in Him, I acknowledge that He is in control and that my worth does not come from constant doing but from being His beloved. Jesus’ gentle invitation is: step away from the noise, trust in My provision, and receive the gift of rest. For in resting with Him, I discover strength, peace, and a deeper awareness of His love.

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En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús y sus discípulos caminan por los campos de trigo en el Sabbat, y los discípulos hambrientos comienzan a sacar espigas para comer. Los fariseos los acusan de estar cosechando, lo cual habría violado la ley sabática contra cualquier forma de “trabajo”.

Jesús responde con un pasaje de las Escrituras, recordándoles cómo el rey David comió los “panes sagrados”, un alimento reservado para los sacerdotes, cuando él y sus compañeros tenían hambre y no tenían otra forma de obtener alimento en el Sabbat. Entonces Jesús pronuncia las palabras que lo replantean todo: “El sábado se hizo para el hombre, y no el hombre para el sábado”. Estas palabras me recuerdan que la ley de Dios nunca fue concebida para ser una carga, sino para liberarnos, guiándonos a la verdadera vida con Él.

Con cuánta frecuencia me olvido que el descanso es parte del diseño de Dios. Puedo llenar fácilmente cada momento con trabajo, mi interminable lista de tareas pendientes, tiempo frente a la pantalla e innumerables distracciones, convenciéndome de que estoy siendo productiva. Mi amiga dice que soy una maestra de la procrastinación productiva. Sin embargo, sin el Sabbat, sin detenerme a renovarme en la presencia de Dios, mi alma se cansa. Jesús, el Señor del Sabbat, me llama a confiar en Él lo suficiente como para dejar de esforzarme (incluso cuando me mantengo ocupada solo para retrasar una fecha límite o evitar una tarea) y simplemente descansar.

El hambre de los discípulos me asegura que Dios se preocupa incluso por nuestras necesidades más básicas. El Sabbat no se trata de legalismo, sino de relación. Es la forma en que Dios dice: “Déjame proveer para ti. Déjame ser suficiente”, ¡porque lo es!

Cuando descanso en Él, reconozco que Él tiene el control y que mi valor no proviene de hacer cosas constantemente, sino de ser su amado. La tierna invitación de Jesús es: aléjate del ruido, confía en Mi provisión y recibe el regalo del descanso. Porque al descansar con Él, descubro fuerza, paz y una conciencia más profunda de Su amor.

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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: Nordseher, pixabay.com/photos/woman-park-leisure-pensive-outlook-7301470/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

 

Saint of the Day

 

St. Vincent

St. Vincent Feast date: Jan 22 St. Vincent was Deacon of Saragossa, and a martyr under Diocletian in 304. This most renowned martyr of Spain is represented in the dalmatic of

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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

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“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat, and walk’?”

This is Christ’s question to the skeptical scribes who doubt Him after He forgives the sins of the paralyzed man. He challenges their doubt by not only forgiving the paralyzed man’s sins but also healing the man’s body. In doing so, He reveals to His onlookers, believers and skeptics alike, that He has authority over body and soul, the kind of authority that belongs to God alone. Only the Author of Life can fully heal physical and spiritual illness.

Yet Christ’s healing here isn’t just about His divine authority. It also reveals His deep love for us, His desire for us to know the deadly consequences of sin and the salvific power of His grace. This, and all His miracles of healing, are meant to show His followers, including us, two incredibly important truths.

The first is the debilitating nature of sin. Christ’s earthly ministry often involved healing the sick and afflicted. But more importantly than that, He forgave sins, and He ultimately died for our sins. His death and Resurrection are proof of the tragic cost of sin, the ultimate cost. Yet His suffering is also what has freed us from the chains of sin and its eternal punishment, death. 

In today’s Gospel, Christ forgives the paralytic man’s sins even before healing his body, revealing to us that sickness of the soul is serious, far more serious than even a lifelong physical disability. Modern medicine might heal some ailments, but it can’t erase sin or prevent death. God’s forgiveness can. He sent His Son to become Man, to tell us and show us through His death and Resurrection that His Love restores us completely. He is the great Healer, not only of the body, but more importantly, of the soul. 

This is the second truth, greater even than the first: Christ loves us to the point of wholeness. He is Love and Life Itself. His love is torrential; it completely wipes out not only our sins, but even the physical consequences of sin, like suffering, and death without resurrection. He loves us back to life again.

Christ’s greatest gift to us, the truth about His life and death and Resurrection, is that His love is infinitely more powerful than even sin and death. He is the Healer and the Life-giver. He restores us and makes us new – not just “fine,” or “back to normal,” but new. He can create good out of nothing. His love can restore us wholly from the ravages of sin.

Your forgiveness has already been earned. All He asks is that you receive it from Him. Do we have the same humility, the same faith as the paralyzed man? Are we also willing to break through walls to ask Christ for His healing love? How desperately do you want to be made new? He wants it even more than that. Trust in Him!

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“¿Qué es más fácil, decirle al paralítico: ‘Tus pecados te son perdonados’ o decirle: ‘Levántate, recoge tu camilla y vete a tu casa’?”

Esta es la pregunta de Cristo a los escribas escépticos que dudaban de Él después de perdonar los pecados del paralítico. Él desafía sus dudas no sólo perdonando los pecados del paralítico, sino también sanando su cuerpo. Al hacerlo, revela a quienes lo observaban, creyentes y escépticos por igual, que Él tiene autoridad sobre el cuerpo y el alma, la clase de autoridad que solo le pertenece a Dios. Solo el Autor de la Vida puede sanar completamente la enfermedad física y espiritual.

Sin embargo, el hecho de que Cristo sana no se trata solo de su autoridad divina. También revela su profundo amor por nosotros, su deseo de que conozcamos las consecuencias mortales del pecado y el poder salvífico de su gracia. Esto, y todos sus milagros de sanación, tienen el propósito de mostrar a sus seguidores, incluyéndonos a nosotros, dos verdades increíblemente importantes. 

La primera es la naturaleza debilitante del pecado. El ministerio terrenal de Cristo a menudo implicó sanar a los enfermos y afligidos. Pero aún más importante, perdonó los pecados y, finalmente, murió por los nuestros. Su muerte y resurrección son prueba del trágico costo del pecado, el costo máximo. Sin embargo, su sufrimiento es también lo que nos ha liberado de las cadenas del pecado y de su castigo eterno: la muerte.

En el Evangelio de hoy, Cristo perdona los pecados del paralítico incluso antes de sanar su cuerpo, revelándonos que la enfermedad del alma es grave, mucho más grave que una discapacidad física de por vida. La medicina moderna puede curar algunas dolencias, pero no puede borrar el pecado ni evitar la muerte. El perdón de Dios sí puede. Envió a su Hijo a hacerse hombre, para decirnos y mostrarnos mediante su muerte y resurrección que su amor nos restaura por completo. Es el gran Sanador, no solo del cuerpo, sino, aún más importante, del alma.

Esta es la segunda verdad, mayor aún que la primera: Cristo nos ama hasta la plenitud. Él es Amor y Vida Misma. Su amor es torrencial; borra por completo no solo nuestros pecados, sino incluso las consecuencias físicas del pecado, como el sufrimiento y la muerte sin resurrección. Nos devuelve la vida con su amor.

El mayor regalo de Cristo para nosotros, la verdad sobre su vida, muerte y resurrección, es que su amor es infinitamente más poderoso que incluso el pecado y la muerte. Él es el Sanador y el Dador de Vida. Él nos restaura y nos hace nuevos; no solo “más o menos” o “normales de nuevo”, sino nuevos. Él puede crear algo bueno de la nada. Su amor puede restaurarnos completamente de los estragos del pecado.

Tu perdón ya se ha ganado. Solo te pide que lo recibas de Él. ¿Tenemos la misma humildad, la misma fe que el paralítico? ¿Estamos dispuestos a derribar muros para pedirle a Cristo su amor sanador? ¿Cuánto deseas ser renovado? Él lo desea aún más. ¡Confía en Él!

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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.Feature Image Credit: Luis Ruiz, pexels.com/photo/person-stand-on-sand-1774929/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

 

Saint of the Day

 

St. Vincent

St. Vincent Feast date: Jan 22 St. Vincent was Deacon of Saragossa, and a martyr under Diocletian in 304. This most renowned martyr of Spain is represented in the dalmatic of

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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Click here for daily readingsOne weekend at the softball fields, while his sister played in an all-day tournament, my young son spent the day with other children in a sandbox. Before the last game he became aware of the grimy status of his outward appearance with the dirt of the day smudged across his face and hands. His little voice still rings out in my memory, “Mama, I dirty! Make me clean.” So I took him into the bathroom and, working with soap and water, gave him a good scrubbing with paper towels until we revealed a shiny clean face and hands.

Some years later, when it was time for my son to learn about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I reminded him of this experience. In Confession, we go before the Lord with the dirt of our days clinging to our soul and we ask Him, “Lord make me clean.” We repent of our sinful ways, ask for forgiveness and healing, and promise to do better tomorrow. Jesus answers us the way He responds to the man with leprosy, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

When was the last time you sought Jesus in the sacrament of Reconciliation? Is it time to return? It doesn’t matter how much time has passed or what you’ve done in your life since the last time you went to Reconciliation. He waits patiently for us to notice our dirty hands and face, the smudged sin on our soul. He is there for us to seek him out, to humbly bow and ask for His forgiveness.

Come and ask Him, Lord if you wish, you can make me clean. There is nothing that we cannot ask Him for when we have true repentance. Come before Jesus. Approach Him with a contrite and humble heart and he will make you clean. 

Jesus, as I consider all the sores and stains of my sin, I truly repent and seek your forgiveness. If you wish, you can make me clean.

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Un fin de semana en los campos de sóftbol, ​​mientras su hermana jugaba en un torneo que duraba todo el día, mi hijo pequeño pasó el día con otros niños en un arenero. Antes del último partido, se dio cuenta de lo sucio que estaba su aspecto exterior, con la suciedad del día manchada en la cara y las manos. Su vocecita aún resuena en mi memoria: “¡Mami, ‘toy sucio! Límpiame”. Así que lo llevé al baño y, con agua y jabón, lo froté bien con papel toalla hasta que vimos su cara y sus manos limpias y relucientes.

Años después, cuando llegó el momento de que mi hijo aprendiera sobre el Sacramento de la Reconciliación, le recordé esta experiencia. En la Confesión, nos presentamos ante el Señor con la suciedad de nuestros días pegada al alma y le pedimos: “Señor, hazme limpio”. Nos arrepentimos de nuestros pecados, pedimos perdón y sanación, y prometemos mejorar mañana. Jesús nos responde como le respondió al leproso: “Quiero. Queda limpio”.

¿Cuándo fue la última vez que buscaste a Jesús en el sacramento de la Reconciliación? ¿Es hora de volver? No importa cuánto tiempo haya pasado ni qué hayas hecho en tu vida desde la última vez que fuiste a la Reconciliación. Él espera pacientemente a que nos demos cuenta de nuestras manos y rostro sucios, de la mancha de pecado en nuestra alma. Él está ahí para que lo busquemos, para que nos inclinemos humildemente y le pidamos perdón.

Ven y pídele: “Señor, si quieres, puedes curarme”. No hay nada que no podamos pedirle cuando estamos verdaderamente arrepentidos. Ven ante Jesús. Acércate con un corazón contrito y humilde, y te limpiará.

Jesús, al considerar todas las llagas y manchas de mi pecado, me arrepiento de verdad y busco tu perdón. Si quieres, puedes limpiarme.

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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: Submitted by AuthorThe 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

 

Saint of the Day

 

St. Vincent

St. Vincent Feast date: Jan 22 St. Vincent was Deacon of Saragossa, and a martyr under Diocletian in 304. This most renowned martyr of Spain is represented in the dalmatic of

More >

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

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I am a little breathless as I read today’s Gospel passage. Mark doesn’t give us a lot of time to breathe between one event and the next. Jesus shows up, “immediately” begins healing, then heals some more, then it’s evening and He’s still healing. Jesus gets up very early to pray, is sought out almost immediately, and goes out to keep healing all over Galilee. Phew! 

There is urgency and immediacy in Jesus’ attitude in the Gospel of Mark. He doesn’t wait to get started but dives right into the needs before Him. It reminds me of a quote by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings: “It’s the job that’s never started that takes longest to finish.” Jesus’ public ministry was only three years long and we can really feel the press of time in the way Mark chooses to write his Gospel. 

While rest is obviously an important part of life, it is not what life revolves around. Even in the midst of pressure, Jesus takes time to be alone with His Father in solitude, but when the Apostles come to Him He doesn’t grow exasperated that they interrupted His prayer time. He doesn’t say, “Five more minutes guys, come on!” He hears the needs of the people and goes out to them, ready to continue His work. 

There are many things we can consider from this passage and the Gospel of Mark in general. What stands out to me is Jesus’ lack of transition time. He just moves from one thing to the next. It challenges me to consider how I often use transition time as an excuse to not do something I need to do. I don’t really want to clean the bathroom, and I just finished cleaning the stove, so surely I’ve earned a five minute scroll on my phone before moving onto the next job. As you may have guessed, it is rarely ever just five minutes. 

Instead of doing the work I know I need to do, I find excuses to drag things out, which ultimately, as Tolkien rightly points out, makes the whole ordeal even longer. Again, rest is important, but it must be part of a rightly ordered day and not used as an excuse to avoid what needs doing.

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Me quedo sin aliento al leer el pasaje del Evangelio de hoy. Marcos no nos da mucho tiempo para respirar entre un evento y otro. Jesús llega, “enseguida” comienza a sanar, luego sana un poco más, luego anochece y sigue sanando. Jesús se levanta muy temprano para orar, lo buscan casi de inmediato y sale a seguir sanando por toda Galilea. ¡Uf!

Hay urgencia e inmediatez en la actitud de Jesús en el Evangelio de Marcos. No espera para empezar, sino que se sumerge completamente en las necesidades que tiene a la mano. Me hace acordar de una cita de J.R.R. Tolkien en El Señor de los Anillos: “El trabajo que nunca se empieza es el que tarda más en finalizarse”. El ministerio público de Jesús duró solo tres años y podemos sentir la presión del tiempo en la forma en que Marcos decide escribir su Evangelio.

Si bien el descanso es, sin duda, una parte importante de la vida, no es lo primordial. Incluso en medio de la presión, Jesús se toma un tiempo para estar a solas con su Padre, pero cuando los apóstoles se le acercan, no se desespera porque han interrumpido su tiempo de oración. No dice: “¡Hombre! ¡Cinco minutos más, por favor muchachos!” Escucha las necesidades de la gente y sale a su encuentro, dispuesto a continuar su obra.

Hay muchas cosas que podemos considerar de este pasaje y del Evangelio de Marcos en general. Lo que más me llama la atención es la falta de tiempo de transición de Jesús. Simplemente pasa de una cosa a otra. Me reta a pensar en cómo a menudo utilizo el tiempo de transición como excusa para no hacer algo que necesito hacer. No tengo muchas ganas de limpiar el baño y acabo de limpiar la estufa, así que seguramente me he ganado cinco minutos de ver mi teléfono antes de pasar a la siguiente tarea. Como habrán adivinado, rara vez son solo cinco minutos.

En lugar de hacer el trabajo que sé que tengo que hacer, busco excusas para alargar las cosas, lo que, a fin de cuentas, como señala Tolkien, alarga aún más el asunto. Nuevamente, el descanso es importante, pero debe ser parte de un día bien ordenado y no utilizado como excusa para evitar lo que hay que hacer.

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Kate Taliaferro is an Air Force wife and mother. She is blessed to be able to homeschool, bake bread and fold endless piles of laundry. When not planning a school day, writing a blog post or cooking pasta, Kate can be found curled up with a book or working with some kind of fiber craft. Kate blogs at DailyGraces.net.Feature Image Credit: RuslanSikunov, pixabay.com/photos/clock-alarm-clock-coffee-cup-8592484/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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St. Vincent

St. Vincent Feast date: Jan 22 St. Vincent was Deacon of Saragossa, and a martyr under Diocletian in 304. This most renowned martyr of Spain is represented in the dalmatic of

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The Word Among Us

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Living Faith

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In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues His travels, astounding the people with His power and authority. Even unclean spirits respond to His orders, and the people are amazed. When we read these stories, it can be hard to imagine why anyone doubted for a moment who Jesus was and what His arrival meant. But doubt they did, and mankind has continued to doubt ever since.

Many times since Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, the Church He founded has strived to hold the rudder toward true north. Storms of misunderstandings, disagreements, and disputes have been part of the Church since her beginning, but through it all she moves forward.

One of those storms was raging during the life of the saint we celebrate today. A convert who discovered Jesus through Scripture, Saint Hilary lived in the fourth century during the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. When Hilary refused to condemn Saint Athanasius who had spoken out against the heresy, he was exiled. Rather than bowing to his persecution, he used his time in exile to study and to write, and he became an even more powerful defender of Christ’s divinity. He also composed hymns to spread the faith more broadly yet.

According to Saint Hilary, the heretics of his time had lost sight of their true identity. “They didn’t know who they were,” he said. His mission was to remind them, and to remind us, of exactly who we are. We are children of a loving God who have inherited eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the same Jesus Christ who worked his wonders that day in Capernaum.

There is a worldly misconception that living a life of faith means avoiding the storms of life. On the contrary, as Saint Hilary and so many other powerful witnesses have shown us, true discipleship walks us into the storm, not away from it. But a life of faith, rooted in a confident understanding of exactly who we are, offers calm amid the storm. It grants us a sense of purpose and hope we will be carried safely to the other side.

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En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús continúa sus viajes, asombrando a la gente con su poder y autoridad. Incluso los espíritus inmundos responden a sus órdenes, y la gente queda maravillada. Al leer estas historias, puede ser difícil imaginar cómo alguien pudiera dudar por un instante de quién era Jesús y qué significaba su llegada. Pero dudaron, y la humanidad ha seguido dudando desde ese entonces.

Muchas veces, desde la vida, muerte y resurrección de Jesús, la Iglesia que él fundó se ha esforzado por mantener el rumbo recto. Tormentas de malentendidos, desacuerdos y disputas han formado parte de la Iglesia desde sus inicios, pero a pesar de todo, sigue adelante.

Una de esas tormentas azotó la vida del santo que celebramos hoy. San Hilario, un converso que descubrió a Jesús a través de las Escrituras, vivió en el siglo IV durante la herejía arriana, que negaba la divinidad de Jesucristo. Cuando Hilario se negó a condenar a San Atanasio, quien se había pronunciado en contra de la herejía, fue exiliado. En lugar de ceder ante la persecución, dedicó su tiempo en el exilio a estudiar y escribir, convirtiéndose en un defensor aún más enérgico de la divinidad de Cristo. También compuso himnos para difundir la fe aún más ampliamente.

Según san Hilario, los herejes de su tiempo habían perdido de vista su verdadera identidad. “No sabían quiénes eran”, dijo. Su misión era recordarles, y recordarnos a nosotros, quiénes somos. Somos hijos de un Dios amoroso que hemos heredado la vida eterna mediante la fe en Jesucristo, el Hijo de Dios, el mismo Jesucristo que obró sus maravillas aquel día en Cafarnaúm.

Existe la idea errónea global de que vivir una vida de fe significa evitar las tormentas de la vida. Por el contrario, como nos han demostrado san Hilario y tantos otros testigos influyentes, el verdadero discipulado nos lleva hacia la tormenta, no lejos de ella. Pero una vida de fe, arraigada en una comprensión segura de quiénes somos, ofrece calma en medio de la tormenta. Nos otorga un sentido de propósito y la esperanza de que seremos llevados sanos y salvos al otro lado.

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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: Brett Jordan, pexels.com/photo/brown-wooden-scrabble-tiles-on-white-table-7416851/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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St. Vincent

St. Vincent Feast date: Jan 22 St. Vincent was Deacon of Saragossa, and a martyr under Diocletian in 304. This most renowned martyr of Spain is represented in the dalmatic of

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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Click here for daily readingsI love God with all my heart and genuinely wish to live a life of holiness, as He calls us all to do.  However, I’ve become distracted by life and stopped putting God first. I feel terrible, but repairing my relationship with Him seems a bit overwhelming. 

A million questions run through my brain. Am I ready to live a life completely dedicated to God?  Can I surrender all that I am to Him? How do I live a holy life? What about my propensity to sin?  How do I get started living for Christ again? Shouldn’t I get my life sorted out first? This sounds like too much to deal with today, so why not tackle it when I’m more rested, focused, and have the time and strength to focus on God clearly?  

Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that the time is now.  “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” I hear Him telling me, “Stop procrastinating. Stop waiting until you think the time is perfect; just take the first step, and then the next step. I am here with you.” 

I plead, “Lord, how do I do what you are asking of me?  Where do I begin?” He nudges me to read through today’s Gospel again. “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” comes into focus. That line is very familiar because we hear it on Ash Wednesday as we receive ashes.  When I hear it on the first day of Lent, it is a balm to my heart because I know Jesus is reminding me that it is never too late to begin again, no matter my sin, my feeling of being lost or distracted in this world, or my attitude of procrastination.  

During Lent, we know it is a time to begin anew in preparation for Easter Sunday.  But what about on this first Monday of Ordinary Time? Do I start again today? My eyes wander back to the Gospel reading.  “This is the time of fulfillment.”  Yes, Jesus is saying, the time is now.  I need to stop putting off my relationship with Him. This is my reminder to take action. My Lord is waiting for me. He is calling me to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to make a good confession and accept His loving mercy in my life.  

With that mercy, I can dedicate my life to Him and walk with Him on my journey of faith.  And when I stumble or get distracted again, which He knows I will, I will again hear His words from today’s Gospel reading. “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

What am I waiting for? What are you waiting for? The time is now.

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Amo a Dios con todo mi corazón y sinceramente deseo vivir una vida de santidad, como Él nos llama a todos a hacer. Sin embargo, la vida me ha distraído y he dejado de poner a Dios en primer lugar. Me siento fatal, pero reparar mi relación con Él me resulta un poco abrumador.

Un millón de preguntas me rondan la cabeza. ¿Estoy listo para vivir una vida completamente dedicada a Dios? ¿Puedo entregarle todo lo que soy? ¿Cómo vivo una vida santa? ¿Qué pasa con mi propensión al pecado? ¿Cómo puedo empezar a vivir para Cristo de nuevo? ¿No debería poner mi vida en orden primero? Esto parece demasiado para lidiar hoy, así que ¿por qué no abordarlo cuando esté más descansada, concentrada y tenga el tiempo y la fuerza para enfocarme en Dios con claridad?

Jesús nos dice en el Evangelio de hoy que el tiempo es ahora: “el Reino de Dios ya está cerca”. Lo oigo decirme: “Deja de procrastinar. Deja de esperar hasta que creas que es el momento perfecto; simplemente da el primer paso, y luego el siguiente. Estoy aquí contigo”. 

Suplico: “Señor, ¿cómo hago lo que me pides? ¿Por dónde empiezo?” Me invita a leer de nuevo el Evangelio de hoy. “Arrepiéntanse y crean en el Evangelio” se hace evidente. Esa frase me resulta muy familiar porque la escuchamos los Miércoles de Ceniza al recibir las cenizas. Cuando la escucho el primer día de Cuaresma, es un bálsamo para mi corazón porque sé que Jesús me recuerda que nunca es tarde para empezar de nuevo, sin importar mi pecado, mi sensación de estar perdido o distraído en este mundo, o mi actitud de procrastinación.

Durante la Cuaresma, sabemos que es tiempo de empezar de nuevo en preparación para el Domingo de Pascua. Pero ¿qué pasa en este primer lunes del Tiempo Ordinario? ¿Empiezo de nuevo hoy? Mis ojos regresan a la lectura del Evangelio y leo: “Se ha cumplido el tiempo”. Sí, Jesús dice, el momento es ahora. Necesito dejar de posponer mi relación con Él. Este es mi recordatorio para actuar. Mi Señor me espera. Me llama al Sacramento de la Reconciliación para hacer una buena confesión y aceptar su amorosa misericordia en mi vida.

Con esa misericordia, puedo dedicarle mi vida y caminar con él en mi camino de fe. Y cuando vuelva a tropezar o distraerme, cosa que Él sabe que ocurrirá, volveré a escuchar sus palabras del Evangelio de hoy: “Arrepiéntanse y crean en el Evangelio”.

¿Para qué espero? ¿Para qué esperas tú? Ahora es el momento indicado.

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Lisa Henley Jones is a wife, mom, and native Texan. Her life is influenced by her Catholic faith and she shares it through writing and on her podcast, Of Sound Mind and Spirit, together with her sister, Shelly Kelly. For fun, Lisa enjoys reading, walking, dating her husband, and wearing the college colors of her young adult kids.Feature Image Credit: Josh Applegate, unsplash.com/photos/woman-sitting-on-church-pew-during-daytime-FEbL32XEgzYThe 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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St. Vincent

St. Vincent Feast date: Jan 22 St. Vincent was Deacon of Saragossa, and a martyr under Diocletian in 304. This most renowned martyr of Spain is represented in the dalmatic of

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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Click here for daily readingsAs a mother of five children and an aunt to 26 more, I have attended my fair share of baptisms. They are always beautiful and joyful occasions, celebrations of a new member being added to God’s family. But most of them have also had their mishaps, as tends to happen when little kids are involved. Whether it be a last minute dirty diaper, an older sibling running up to the baptismal font right in the middle of the ceremony, or the baby screaming during the whole affair, baptisms, like most moments in life, are not perfect. 

What is perfect is the sacramental and sanctifying grace that is poured into the soul of the newly baptized. What is perfect is the great love that God has for us in granting us this palpable moment of unity with Him. What is perfect is this opportunity for family and friends to witness an indelible mark being placed on the baby’s soul, sealing them for an eternity with God.

In today’s Gospel, we read about the Baptism of Jesus. What a powerful witness that the Son of God Himself chose to be baptized by a human being. What a powerful manifestation of the Holy Trinity, both audibly and visibly present. What a powerful way to show us just how important baptism is. 

I invite you to place yourself in this moment. Imagine the confusion of John the Baptist, being asked to baptize God. Imagine the awe of the others present upon seeing the heavens being opened. Imagine their fright when a voice boomed down from the heavens. Did the bystanders run away in fear? Did they kneel in adoration? Did they stand there frozen in shock? What would you do? What are you feeling called to do now, in this moment, as you reflect upon this passage?

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Como madre de cinco hijos y tía de 26 más, he asistido a bastantes bautizos. Siempre son ocasiones hermosas y alegres, celebraciones de la llegada de un nuevo miembro a la familia de Dios. Pero la mayoría también han tenido sus contratiempos, como suele ocurrir con los niños pequeños. Ya sea un pañal sucio a última hora, un hermano mayor corriendo a la pila bautismal en medio de la ceremonia, o el bebé llorando durante todo el evento, los bautizos, como la mayoría de los momentos de la vida, no son perfectos.

Algo que sí es perfecto es la gracia sacramental y santificadora que se derrama en el alma del recién bautizado. Algo que sí es perfecto es el gran amor que Dios nos tiene al concedernos este momento palpable de unidad con Él. Algo que sí es perfecto es esta oportunidad para que familiares y amigos sean testigos de cómo se deja una marca indeleble en el alma del bebé, sellándolo para la eternidad con Dios.

En el Evangelio de hoy, leemos sobre el Bautismo de Jesús. Qué poderoso testimonio que el propio Hijo de Dios eligiera ser bautizado por un ser humano. Qué poderosa manifestación de la Santísima Trinidad, tanto audible como visiblemente presente. Qué poderosa manera de mostrarnos la importancia del bautismo.

Los invito a ponerse en la escena. Imaginen la confusión de Juan el Bautista al ser invitado a bautizar a Dios. Imaginen el asombro de los presentes al ver los cielos abrirse. Imaginen su miedo cuando una voz resonó desde el cielo. ¿Los presentes huyeron por miedo? ¿Se arrodillaron en adoración? ¿Se quedaron paralizados por el shock? ¿Qué harían ustedes? ¿Qué se sienten llamados a hacer ahora, en este momento, al reflexionar sobre este pasaje?

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Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adulthood 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.Feature Image Credit: Unknown Artist, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/baptism-of-christ-22148/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

 

Saint of the Day

 

St. Vincent

St. Vincent Feast date: Jan 22 St. Vincent was Deacon of Saragossa, and a martyr under Diocletian in 304. This most renowned martyr of Spain is represented in the dalmatic of

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The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith

Click here for daily readingsWe were moving my son out of our home and into his new apartment. I asked, “Should I put this box here?”  He replied, “Ask her!” he said, referring to his future bride. This is actually happening. My son is getting married soon. They rented an apartment and he planned to live there alone until the wedding when his bride would join him. 

Realization struck me at that moment. My son viewed the apartment, not as his, but rather as theirs. He was giving his future bride complete control over organization and décor, something I had always been in charge of before. My competitive nature bristled at this and my motherly heart felt some difficult things. There was someone new. Someone whose opinion mattered more than mine. 

In today’s Gospel, there is someone new baptizing and the people approach John in confusion.  Accustomed to everyone following John, someone else is now doing the same thing, drawing attention away from John. This new man’s opinion mattered more. Many people were leaving John to follow him. John’s disciples, in their competitive nature, challenged John, perhaps attempting to spark envy in him. Isn’t it natural to want to be the most important, the leader, the most popular? 

However, John’s response surprises them. He finds joy in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. He reminds his followers that the Bridegroom is more important than the Best Man. The role of the Best Man is to be the one who “stands and listens for him, [and] rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.” 

By saying, “He must increase; I must decrease,” John demonstrates true humility. When we are in charge of something or are doing something we are good at, there is often no space for anyone else to enter in – not unless we decrease, become less, stop hogging the spotlight. 

We all have a gift, a purpose, a time and a place to practice that gift. John knew his gift, his place. He knew when to step up and when to back down. His example helps us to realize that sometimes we are not the star of the show but rather a warm-up act or a supporting role – whether at work, in ministry, or in our social life. Or even in our own family, when our own sons become bridegrooms and their future wives become the ones on whose opinion they rely. 

Reflecting on this Gospel, I can see that it is time for me to decrease, to step back. And with a smile, I looked at this new woman whom my son loves enough to spend his life with, and asked, “where would you like this box?”

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Estábamos mudando a mi hijo de nuestra casa a su nuevo apartamento. Le pregunté: “¿Pongo esta caja aquí?” Él respondió: “¡Pregúntale a ella!”, refiriéndose a su futura esposa. Esto está sucediendo de verdad. Mi hijo se iba a casar. Alquilaron un apartamento y él planeaba vivir allí solo hasta la boda, cuando su esposa se reuniría con él.

En ese momento, me di cuenta. Mi hijo veía el apartamento no como suyo, sino como de ellos dos. Le estaba dando a su futura esposa control total sobre la organización y la decoración, algo que yo siempre había hecho. Mi naturaleza competitiva se irritó ante esto y mi corazón maternal sintió algunas dificultades. Había alguien nuevo. Alguien cuya opinión importaba más que la mía.

En el Evangelio de hoy, hay una persona nueva bautizando y la gente se acerca a Juan confundida. Acostumbrados a que todos siguieran a Juan, alguien más ahora hace lo mismo, desviando la atención de Juan. La opinión de este nuevo hombre importaba más. Muchos dejaban a Juan para seguirlo. Los discípulos de Juan, en su naturaleza competitiva, lo desafiaron, quizás intentando despertar su envidia. ¿No es natural querer ser el más importante, el líder, el más popular?

Sin embargo, la respuesta de Juan los sorprende. Encuentra gozo al reconocer a Jesús como el Mesías. Les recuerda a sus seguidores que el Novio es más importante que el Padrino. El rol del Padrino es ser quien “lo acompaña y lo oye hablar, [y] se alegra mucho de oír su voz”.

Al decir: “Es necesario que él crezca y que yo venga a menos”, Juan demuestra verdadera humildad. Cuando estamos a cargo de algo o hacemos algo en lo que tenemos mucho talento, a menudo no hay espacio para que nadie más intervenga, a menos de que disminuyamos, nos volvamos menos, y dejemos de acaparar la atención.

Todos tenemos un don, un propósito, un tiempo y un lugar para practicar ese don. Juan conocía su don, su lugar. Sabía cuándo dar un paso al frente y cuándo ceder. Su ejemplo nos ayuda a comprender que a veces no somos la estrella, sino más bien un telonero o tenemos un papel secundario, ya sea en el trabajo, en el ministerio o en nuestra vida social. O incluso en nuestra propia familia, cuando nuestros hijos se convierten en novios y sus futuras esposas en quienes confían.

Al reflexionar sobre este Evangelio, veo que es hora de disminuir, de dar un paso atrás. Y con una sonrisa, miré a esta nueva mujer a quien mi hijo ama lo suficiente como para compartir su vida con ella, y le pregunté: “¿Dónde quieres esta caja?”

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Margaret Gartlgruber longs for moms to know: You are enough! It is not what you accomplish that matters – God delights in you every single moment simply just for being you! A semi-retired stay-at-home mom, wife, author, blogger, freelance writer, lay RC member Margaret blogs at https://ruledbybananas.com/. Contributing St. Monica to the Cloud of Witness book, you can learn more by signing up to her St. Monica Novena, and get free copy of 15 Simple Morning Prayers.Feature Image Credit: Master of the St. John’s Altarpiece, Public domain, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_John_the_Baptist_Pointing_Out_Christ_as_the_Lamb_of_God_Philadelphia_Museum_of_Art_Cat._347.jpgThe 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

 

Saint of the Day

 

St. Vincent

St. Vincent Feast date: Jan 22 St. Vincent was Deacon of Saragossa, and a martyr under Diocletian in 304. This most renowned martyr of Spain is represented in the dalmatic of

More >

More...

The Word Among Us

Regnum Christi

One Bread, One Body

Evangeli

Living Faith