Author: diocesan-melbournebeach

God’s Merciful Embrace / El abrazo misericordioso de Dios

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I find myself struggling to sit with this parable. As if silence and stillness aren’t difficult enough, the parable is too familiar and my interest wanes. Moreover, my soul is anxious at the thought that God might actually speak truth into my life. I’ll be honest, it terrifies me. Yet, I know God loves me so I must dive into the deep.

What jumps out at me is the prodigal’s distance. We’re all guilty of being far from God from time to time. We writhe in jealousy, we cling to plans, we pride ourselves in our good works, or we consent to serious mortal sin.  

I’ve been far from God on multiple occasions. Sometimes, to my chagrin, I’ve walked very far from God. I know this is why it pains me to read this parable. I’ve gone to confession, amended my life, sought spiritual direction, prepared speeches to the Father, yet the thought that I squandered my heavenly inheritance, and even worse, turned my back on my best friend Jesus, kills me. 

Oh, my Jesus, what do you say? “While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20.

That’s what I was afraid of. The overwhelming power of God’s mercy. It is too big for me to contain but it’s exactly what my broken heart and memory needs. My heart yearns to receive His all encompassing love and tenderness. He knows me and I know my Beloved. He knows that I long to be wrapped in garments of His affection and bedecked with his claim over me. I know He is the Father of love and He never takes His eyes off of me. 

I don’t know if you’ve ever been far from God, I pray not for your sake. If so, I hope you muster the courage to sit and receive this Gospel. Receive God’s mercy in full. If you have not, is there someone in your life who needs a return to the Father’s heart? Would you be brave and extend the merciful embrace of the Father to them?

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Me cuesta mucho aceptar esta parábola. Como si el silencio y la quietud no fueran lo suficientemente difíciles, la parábola me resulta demasiado familiar y mi interés se desvanece. Además, mi alma se pone ansiosa ante la idea de que Dios pueda realmente decir la verdad en mi vida. Voy a ser honesta, esto me aterroriza. Sin embargo, sé que Dios me ama, así que debo sumergirme profundamente en ello.

Lo que me llama la atención es la distancia del hijo pródigo. Todos somos culpables de estar lejos de Dios de vez en cuando. Nos llenamos de celos, nos aferramos a los planes, nos enorgullecemos de nuestras buenas obras o nos permitimos cometer un pecado mortal grave.

He estado lejos de Dios en múltiples ocasiones. A veces, para mi disgusto, me he alejado mucho de Dios. Sé que es por eso que me duele leer esta parábola. Me he confesado, he enmendado mi vida, he buscado dirección espiritual, he preparado discursos para el Padre, pero el pensamiento de que he desperdiciado mi herencia celestial y, peor aún, que le he dado la espalda a mi mejor Amigo Jesús, me mata.

Oh, Jesús mío, ¿qué dices? “Estaba todavía lejos, cuando su padre lo vio y se enterneció profundamente. Corrió hacia él, y echándole los brazos al cuello, lo cubrió de besos.” (Lucas 15,20)

Eso era lo que temía. El poder abrumador de la misericordia de Dios. Es demasiado grande para yo poder contenerlo, pero es exactamente lo que mi corazón y mi memoria quebrantados necesitan. Mi corazón anhela recibir Su amor y ternura que todo lo abarcan. Él me conoce y yo lo conozco a mi Amado. Sabe que anhelo estar envuelta en las vestiduras de Su afecto y adornada con Su derecho sobre mí. Sé que es el Padre de amor y nunca quita Sus ojos de mí.

No sé si alguna vez has estado lejos de Dios, ojalá que no, pero si es así, espero que tengas el valor de sentarte y recibir este Evangelio. Recibe la misericordia de Dios en su plenitud. Si no es así, ¿hay alguien en tu vida que necesite volver al corazón del Padre? ¿Podrías ser valiente y extenderle el abrazo misericordioso del Padre?

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Former NPS Park Ranger, Catholic educator, and Youth Minister, Melissa Lucca now spends her days evangelizing family and neighbors as a stay-at-home mom. She holds an MA in Theology from the Augustine Institute and pursues personal study in her spare time. Melissa loves Ignatian Spirituality, Mother Mary, and rock climbing. If you don’t hear her and her kiddo laughing at home, then they are probably out on an adventure!

Feature Image Credit: Rembrant, wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Rembrandt-The_return_of_the_prodigal_son

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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Fourth Sunday of Lent

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Reading I Joshua 5:9a, 10-12

The LORD said to Joshua,
“Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.”

While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho,
they celebrated the Passover
on the evening of the fourteenth of the month.
On the day after the Passover,
they ate of the produce of the land
in the form of unleavened cakes and parched grain.
On that same day after the Passover,
on which they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased.
No longer was there manna for the Israelites,
who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7.

R. (9a)  Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
            his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
            the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
            let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
            and delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
            and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
            and from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Reading II 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Brothers and sisters:
Whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
the old things have passed away;
behold, new things have come.
And all this is from God,
who has reconciled us to himself through Christ
and given us the ministry of reconciliation,
namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting their trespasses against them
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
So we are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Verse before the Gospel Luke 15:18

I will get up and go to my Father and shall say to him:
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

Gospel Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.'”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

St. John Climacus

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St. John Climacus

Feast date: Mar 30

St. John Climacus was born around the year 525 in Palestine. As a youth, he excelled in his studies and was highly regarded by his peers for his knowledge. At the age of 16, John decided to leave the world and retired to a hermitage near the base of Mount Sinai. For the next four years, John spent his time in prayer, fasting, meditation and discernment while preparing to take solemn vows to the religious life. Through the direction of Martyrius, John curbed his vices and worked to perfect his virtues.

After professing his solemn vows, John began to spend more of his time studying scriptures and the early fathers of the Church. He became very knowledgeable in these subjects but his humility caused him to hide his talents and not presume to share them with others. Near the end of his life, he was encouraged to share his knowledge with others and wrote the “Climax” also known as “The Ladder of Paradise.” This work was a collection of sayings and examples to illustrate how to live the monastic life. From this work, he received the name Climacus, a derivative from the Latin root for climax or ladder.

As John progressed in years and wisdom, many of the religious living on Mount Sinai began to seek his advice in spiritual matters. He freely offered his advice and was highly regarded for his wisdom and holiness. Around the year 600 the abbot of all the religious in the region of Mount Sinai died and John was chosen to replace him. John ruled until his death in 605 and always tried to lead through his own example.

Easter Vigil

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Easter Vigil

Feast date: Mar 30

The Easter Vigil is the high point of the Easter triduum celebrating the passion and resurrection of Jesus. With a rich display of symbols, rites and readings, the church in worship expresses her faith in the mystery that brings her into being.

Light conquers darkness

The vigil opens with a service of light. Like the Jewish Passover, our Easter celebration coincides with the beginning of spring, when the sun offers new warmth and earth is ready to flower again. Our words “lent” (from the Middle-English word for spring,”lengthening days”) and “Easter” (possibly Germanic or Anglo-Saxon in origin, signifying “the east”,”the rising sun”) point to the long tradition of seeing this holy mystery through signs of the natural world.

The lighting of the fire and the Easter candle go back to rites that long preceded Christianity. The candle, carried with loving reverence and lyrically praised in word and song, is a sign of Christ, “the light of the world,” and celebrates the victory of light over darkness that humanity has ever longed for.

God’s love endures forever

A series of readings recalls the great interventions of God in history, from creation to the the redemption of Israel from Egypt, and ends with the story of Jesus’ resurrection. The great “alleluia” proclaims with quiet joy the triumph of God’s Son. Those preparing for Batpism then receive the sacraments of initiation. The blessed water sprinkled over others signifies the blessing of new life.

Rejoice! This night says as it brings before us the deepest symbols of our hopes and fears. The darkness, sign of evil and death, has been overcome by light. A lamp, a candle has been lit; a fire is enkindled in our hearts; a nourishing water flows through our lives; a baptism destroys what is unclean and brings to life again.

Rejoice! this night says to all creation. The Word who made all things, as a new Adam, freshly proclaims God’s promise of life. All creation celebrates God’s love. 

Prayer in the Midst of Suffering / La Oración en medio del sufrimiento

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“God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.” – St. Mother Teresa

How is it possible that I always find it such a struggle to pray?  While the Catholic Church offers some fundamental prayers as examples, what is most important is that we express ourselves to God from the innermost places of our hearts and listen to Him.  

However, the majority of us don’t know how to unlock our hearts, so instead we just go through the motions. To truly hear God’s Word, we must be enlightened by the Holy Spirit; we first must have awareness and clarity that He is the reason for each action we take. 

If we start teaching our children from a young age how to share our real thoughts and unfiltered feelings with Christ, both positive and negative, how empowered the world would be to trust in the Lord and change for the good! 

From today’s Gospel, we recognize that the most sincere prayers often come when we are down, when we need God the most. Like the sinful tax collector, we recognize our reliance on our Father for forgiveness and love when we make mistakes. As St. Paul declared, let us rejoice in our suffering, for through suffering, we recognize our littleness and can ask God for healing.

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“Dios habla en el silencio del corazón. Escuchar es el comienzo de la oración.” – Santa Madre Teresa

¿Cómo es posible que siempre me resulte tan difícil orar? Si bien la Iglesia Católica ofrece algunas oraciones fundamentales como ejemplos, lo más importante es expresarnos a Dios desde lo más profundo del corazón y escucharlo.

Sin embargo, la mayoría de nosotros no sabemos cómo abrir nuestros corazones, así que nos limitamos a simplemente hacer lo que hacemos. Para escuchar verdaderamente la Palabra de Dios, debemos ser iluminados por el Espíritu Santo; primero debemos tener conciencia y claridad de que Él es la razón de cada acción que realizamos.

Si comenzamos a enseñar a nuestros hijos desde una edad temprana cómo compartir nuestros pensamientos verdaderos y sentimientos sin filtro con Cristo, tanto positivos como negativos, ¡cuán empoderado estaría el mundo para confiar en el Señor y cambiar para bien!

Del Evangelio de hoy, reconocemos que las oraciones más sinceras a menudo surgen cuando estamos deprimidos, cuando más necesitamos a Dios. Al igual que el recaudador de impuestos pecador, reconocemos cuánto necesitamos al Padre para recibir perdón y amor cuando cometemos errores. Como declaró San Pablo, alegrémonos en nuestro sufrimiento, porque a través del sufrimiento reconocemos nuestra pequeñez y podemos pedirle a Dios que nos sane.

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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: Jack Sharp, unsplash.com/photos/man-praying-OptEsFuZwoQ

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Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

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Reading I Hosea 6:1-6

“Come, let us return to the LORD,
    it is he who has rent, but he will heal us;
    he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.
He will revive us after two days;
    on the third day he will raise us up,
    to live in his presence.
Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD;
    as certain as the dawn is his coming,
    and his judgment shines forth like the light of day!
He will come to us like the rain,
    like spring rain that waters the earth.”

What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your piety is like a morning cloud,
    like the dew that early passes away.
For this reason I smote them through the prophets,
    I slew them by the words of my mouth;
For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,
    and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab

R.    (see Hosea 6:6)  It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
    in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
    and of my sin cleanse me.
R.    It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
    should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
    a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R.    It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
Be bountiful, O LORD, to Zion in your kindness
    by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem;
Then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices,
    burnt offerings and holocausts.
R.    It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.

Verse before the Gospel Psalm 95:8

If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.

Gospel Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — 
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

St. Joseph of Arimathea

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St. Joseph of Arimathea

Feast date: Mar 29

St. Joseph of Arimathea is a disciple of Jesus Christ who is mentioned in each account of the Passion narrative. After the Passion of the Lord, Joseph, a member of the Jewish council went to Pilate and asked for possession of the body of Jesus. After receiving this permission, Joseph had Jesus laid in a nearby tomb.

The Gospels tell us that Joseph was a just and devout man waiting for the kingdom of God. He followed Jesus’ public ministry but feared the repercussions from the other members of the Jewish council.

Called to be Missionaries / Llamados a ser misioneros

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As I continue to navigate through this life, where God often writes straight with crooked lines, I never cease to see His loving hands at work. Lately, I have noticed Him blessing us by providing for our needs. An unexpected reimbursement check from our insurance company, a friend who offered me her mother’s clothes after she passed away, an anonymous donor who gifted new athletic shoes to the kids, scholarships, discounts, and random gifts. All these things have been poured out to our family from God’s loving hand through His instruments. 

I can’t even begin to express my gratitude to Him, Who never ceases to amaze me, Who cannot be outdone in generosity. The struggle for families is real in today’s economy, but I can boldly say that we have never gone without a meal. In fact, God has even allowed us to provide meals to others. 

Last fall, we were blessed to host young adult missionaries at our house from the NET Team. They are in our county all year to be a presence in our community and help bring young people into a deeper relationship with Christ. They attend youth group meetings, community gatherings, sporting events, hold Bible studies at coffee shops, and meet people where they’re at. Jesus invites us into His heart through relationship, and they are forming just that with the youth. 

While these young men and women bless us spiritually, the community pulls together to provide for their corporal needs. Some provide meals, others vehicles, others cell phones, others gift cards and others a roof over their heads for a week or two at a time. It opens our hearts in generosity while they open their hearts to us in God’s love. There is really nothing quite like it. It reminds me of the early Christian community that pooled all of their resources and provided for one another, or of those who were sent out two by two and welcomed into the homes of complete strangers. 

These missionaries have given up the comfort of their homes and their way of life because they feel called. They are attempting to embody today’s Gospel in which Jesus commands us to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. They have left their boats on the shore and followed Jesus. 

As Christians, we are all called to be missionaries in our own ways. Whatever our walk of life may be, we can evangelize through our words and actions. Whether it be testifying to God’s generosity, being a positive voice at work, or selflessly serving our family, we can all make a difference in our parishes and communities. Who knows, we might be the instrument through which God speaks compassion to others, saying: “I will heal their defection…I will love them freely.” (Hosea 14:5)

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Mientras sigo navegando por esta vida, donde Dios a menudo escribe recto con renglones torcidos, nunca dejo de ver sus manos amorosas trabajando. Últimamente, he notado que nos bendice al proveer para nuestras necesidades. Un cheque de reembolso inesperado de la compañía de seguros, una amiga que me ofreció la ropa de su madre después de que falleció, un donante anónimo que regaló zapatos deportivos nuevos para los niños, becas, descuentos y regalos al azar. Todas estas cosas han sido derramadas sobre nuestra familia de la mano amorosa de Dios a través de Sus instrumentos.

Ni siquiera puedo comenzar a expresarle mi gratitud, quien nunca deja de sorprenderme, quien no puede ser superado en generosidad. La lucha de las familias es real en la economía actual, pero puedo decir con valentía que nunca hemos faltado una comida. De hecho, Dios incluso nos ha permitido proporcionar comidas a otros.

El otoño pasado, tuvimos la bendición de hospedar a misioneros jóvenes en nuestra casa del equipo NET. Están en nuestro condado todo el año para estar presentes en la comunidad y ayudar a que los jóvenes tengan una relación más profunda con Cristo. Asisten a reuniones de grupos de jóvenes, reuniones comunitarias, eventos deportivos, realizan estudios bíblicos en cafeterías y se reúnen con la gente donde se encuentren. Jesús nos invita a entrar en su corazón a través de la relación, y ellos están formando precisamente eso con los jóvenes.

Mientras estos hombres y mujeres jóvenes nos bendicen espiritualmente, la comunidad se une para satisfacer sus necesidades corporales. Algunos proporcionan comidas, otros vehículos, otros teléfonos celulares, otros tarjetas de regalo y otros un techo durante una o dos semanas. Abre nuestros corazones con generosidad mientras ellos nos abren sus corazones con el amor de Dios. Realmente no hay nada parecido. Me recuerda a la comunidad cristiana primitiva que ponía en común todos sus recursos y se ayudaba mutuamente, o a aquellos que eran enviados de dos en dos y eran recibidos en las casas de gente desconocida.

Estos misioneros han renunciado a la comodidad de sus hogares y a su estilo de vida porque se sienten llamados. Ellos están intentando encarnar el Evangelio de hoy en el que Jesús nos manda amar a Dios con todo el corazón, alma, mente y fuerza y ​​amar al prójimo como a nosotros mismos. Ellos han dejado sus barcas en la orilla y han seguido a Jesús.

Como cristianos, todos estamos llamados a ser misioneros a nuestra manera. Cualquiera que sea nuestro camino de vida, podemos evangelizar a través de las palabras y acciones. Ya sea dando testimonio de la generosidad de Dios, siendo una voz positiva en el trabajo o sirviendo desinteresadamente a la familia, todos podemos marcar una diferencia en nuestras parroquias y comunidades. Quién sabe, tal vez seamos el instrumento a través del cual Dios hable con compasión a los demás, diciendo: “Yo perdonaré sus infidelidades…los amaré aunque no lo merezcan”. (Ver la primera lectura de hoy de Oseas 14,5)

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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 guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net.

Feature Image Credit: Elianna Gill, unsplash.com/photos/a-group-of-people-standing-around-each-other-Q588c92mWEI

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.

The post Called to be Missionaries / Llamados a ser misioneros appeared first on Diocesan.

Friday of the Third Week of Lent

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Reading 1 Hosea 14:2-10

Thus says the LORD:
Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God;
you have collapsed through your guilt.
Take with you words,
and return to the LORD;
Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity,
and receive what is good, that we may render
as offerings the bullocks from our stalls.
Assyria will not save us,
nor shall we have horses to mount;
We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’
to the work of our hands;
for in you the orphan finds compassion.”

I will heal their defection, says the LORD,
I will love them freely;
for my wrath is turned away from them.
I will be like the dew for Israel:
he shall blossom like the lily;
He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,
and put forth his shoots.
His splendor shall be like the olive tree
and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.
Again they shall dwell in his shade
and raise grain;
They shall blossom like the vine,
and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols?
I have humbled him, but I will prosper him.
“I am like a verdant cypress tree”–
Because of me you bear fruit!

Let him who is wise understand these things;
let him who is prudent know them.
Straight are the paths of the LORD,
in them the just walk,
but sinners stumble in them.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17

R. (see 11 and 9a)  I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
An unfamiliar speech I hear:
“I relieved his shoulder of the burden;
his hands were freed from the basket.
In distress you called, and I rescued you.”
R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
“Unseen, I answered you in thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Hear, my people, and I will admonish you;
O Israel, will you not hear me?”
R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
“There shall be no strange god among you
 nor shall you worship any alien god.
I, the LORD, am your God
who led you forth from the land of Egypt.”
R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
“If only my people would hear me,
and Israel walk in my ways,
I would feed them with the best of wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would fill them.”
R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

Verse Before the Gospel Matthew 4:17

Repent, says the Lord;
the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Gospel Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

St. Sixtus III, Pope

Posted on by diocesan-melbournebeach

St. Sixtus III, Pope

Feast date: Mar 28

Not much is known about the history and youth of St. Sixtus, but we do know that he was born in Rome, Italy and ascended to the papacy in 432.

As the 44th Pope, he approved the results of the Council of Ephesus and actively protested against the heresies of Nestorianism and Pelagianism. He restored many Roman basilicas and corresponded frequently with St. Augustine of Hippo.

He died on August 18 in the year 440 of natural causes.