Today is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, as well as one of my son’s birthday. He was born 100 years to the day after my paternal grandmother. What a blessing to be surrounded by family as well as having the incredible examples of our saint friends in Heaven! The joy and gratitude to God cannot be overstated.
Yet most of the time family life is not easy and can often be full of trials. Especially during these times, the saints can offer us guidance and an example of perseverance. While Peter was the first to identify Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God, he also made many mistakes and had many imperfections. Similarly, Paul even identifies himself as having a “thorn in the flesh”, and is first presented to us as a zealous persecutor of Christians.
Ultimately, each of us is called to take up our cross. We aim to serve Christ by serving one another, placing love of others before ourselves. For some, this may come more naturally than others. I myself very much need to be trained, and consciously practice denying myself. I am egotistical dust, but am strengthened through the power of Christ.
My heart is frozen without him, but melted by His ultimate sacrifice. I am torn and weak, tired and sinful. Full of distractions and temptations, judgments and bitterness. How can I find the strength to grasp onto you, my Lord? Help me God to be concerned about the well-being of others and to practice humility, being converted and united to You, just like Saints Peter and Paul.
Hoy es la Solemnidad de los Santos Pedro y Pablo y también el cumpleaños de uno de mis hijos. Nació 100 años después de mi abuela paterna. ¡Qué bendición estar rodeado de mi familia y tener el increíble ejemplo de nuestros santos amigos en el Cielo! La alegría y la gratitud a Dios son indescriptibles.
Sin embargo, la vida familiar suele ser difícil y a menudo está llena de pruebas. Especialmente en estos momentos, los santos pueden ofrecernos guía y un ejemplo de perseverancia. Si bien Pedro fue el primero en identificar a Jesús como el Mesías, el Hijo del Dios vivo, también cometió muchos errores y tenía muchas imperfecciones. De igual manera, Pablo incluso se identifica a sí mismo como alguien con una “espina en la carne”, y se nos presenta primero como un ferviente perseguidor de los cristianos.
En última instancia, cada uno de nosotros está llamado a tomar su cruz. Nuestro objetivo es servir a Cristo sirviéndose unos a otros, anteponiendo el amor al prójimo a nosotros mismos. Para algunos, esto puede resultar más natural que para otros. Yo misma necesito con urgencia ser entrenada y practicar conscientemente la negación de mí misma. Soy polvo de egoísmo, pero me fortalezco mediante el poder de Cristo.
Mi corazón está congelado sin Él, pero se derrite con su sacrificio supremo. Estoy desgarrada y débil, cansada y pecadora. Llena de distracciones y tentaciones, juicios y amarguras. ¿Cómo puedo encontrar la fuerza para aferrarme a Ti, mi Señor? Ayúdame, Dios, a preocuparme por el bienestar de los demás y a practicar la humildad, convirtiéndome y uniéndome a Ti, como los santos Pedro y Pablo.
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.
Feature Image Credit: Bartolomeo Manfredi, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/saints-peter-and-paul-19358/
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
Daily Reading
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