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Have you ever been so happy that you just burst into song? Maybe you were driving along on the way to vacation and the beautiful blue sky and the anticipation you felt had you bebopping. Maybe you were on your way back from visiting a newborn niece or nephew or grandchild and the warmth you felt in your heart just overwhelmed you. Maybe you were within a moment of quiet prayer and the love you felt in the depth of your heart inspired you to praise. 

I can imagine Paul feeling much this way as he traveled along preaching and teaching. Even though he suffered so many persecutions and sufferings, he could be joyful because “from all these things the Lord delivered [him].” He does not claim that life will be a bowl of cherries for those who “live religiously in Christ Jesus.” Quite the opposite. He clearly states that we will be persecuted. Yet we can also find joy knowing that by remaining “faithful to what [we] had learned and believed” we will be “equipped for every good work.”

We can also find joy in the truths of today’s Gospel. Although it appears to be a maze of words regarding kinship between David and Jesus, it is a great reminder that we are sons and daughters of God. We are relatives of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! What great love He has for us to invite us into the intimacy of His family! Just as the crowds heard the words of Jesus with delight, may we also delight in Him. Who knows, we may even find ourselves bursting into song.

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¿Alguna vez has estado tan feliz que te dieron ganas de cantar? Quizás ibas conduciendo de camino a tus vacaciones y el hermoso cielo azul y la emoción que sentías te inspiraron a tararear una melodía. Quizás regresabas de visitar a un sobrino, o un nieto recién nacido y la calidez que sentías en tu corazón te conmovió profundamente. Quizás estabas en un momento de oración silenciosa y el amor que sentías en lo más profundo de tu ser te impulsó a alabar.

Me imagino a Pablo sintiéndose así mientras viajaba predicando y enseñando. A pesar de haber sufrido tantas persecuciones y padecimientos, podía sentir alegría porque “de todas me  libró el Señor”. No afirma que la vida será fácil para quienes “quieran vivir como buenos cristianos”. Todo lo contrario. Afirma claramente que seremos perseguidos. Sin embargo, también podemos encontrar alegría sabiendo que, al permanecer “firme en lo que has aprendido y se te ha confiado”, estaremos “preparado[s] para toda obra buena”.

También podemos encontrar alegría en las verdades del Evangelio de hoy. Aunque parece un laberinto de palabras sobre el parentesco entre David y Jesús, es un gran recordatorio de que somos hijos e hijas de Dios. ¡Somos parientes del Rey de Reyes y Señor de Señores! ¡Qué gran amor tiene por nosotros al invitarnos a la intimidad de su familia! Así como las multitudes escucharon las palabras de Jesús con alegría, que nosotros también nos regocijemos en Él. Quién sabe, quizás hasta nos encontremos cantando de alegría.

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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.

Feature Image Credit: Олег Мороз, https://unsplash.com/photos/a-drawing-on-the-sand-bj3hTj6daIM

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.