Month: September 2019

Purpose, Focus, Direction

I love the Gospel reading today because it shows the unmatched power of Jesus as the son of God while at the same time showing his incredible focus for the end goal.

Purpose-focus-direction. These three simple words make all the difference when trying to run a company, work as an employee, raise a family, or be a disciple. Jesus knew this, so he went out and showed us how to accomplish all three as the perfect example.

“For this purpose, I have been sent.”
Jesus knew why he was sent; to bring the good news of the kingdom of God to the world. This shaped all of his ministry and every one of his actions. So what is your purpose? I can ask myself the same question. I don’t just mean the philosophical meaning of existence, but why do you as a person exist? St. John Paul II always reminded us that the fundamental vocation of the human person is love. So how is Jesus calling you to love that is different from everyone else? How is He personally going to transform the world through your little life? Often we think that because God doesn’t need us that our purpose is just to be good and eventually go to heaven. While it is true that God doesn’t need us, he has chosen to need us. He has chosen to communicate His love through the human person, and that includes you. How can you do that better this week, and how can I?

“At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.”
Jesus also had focus. His purpose transformed his actions, and his attention made it possible. Think about it; we can skim a book, or we can take time and read it slowly, analyzing the words as they fall off the page. In both the instances, the book is read, but in one case the book is retained and affects our life. When we take time to meditate on our purpose, and also take the much needed time to retreat, we can focus even more intensely on the task at hand, to bring the love of God to the world.

“And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”
Jesus knew where he was supposed to go next. He had an idea of what his ministry was going to be and had an end goal in mind. This is crucial if we want our mission to be compelling. We have to have a plan and a way to accomplish it. It’s the same with sports, working out, career, and family life.

God has gifted us all with a personal way to communicate his love to the world. Maybe some can do this through speaking or teaching, some can do it through acts of service, and some can do it through intercession. There will be as many different ways as there are different people. What is your way? Find your purpose, focus on the mission, plan out a direction. If you struggle with any of these three, reread the Gospel today and have hope. From all of us here at Diocesan, God Bless!

Contact the author

Tommy Shultz is a Solutions Evangelist for Diocesan. In that role, he is committed to coaching parishes and dioceses on authentic and effective Catholic communication. Tommy has a heart and a flair for inspiring people to live their faith every day. He has worked in various youth ministry, adult ministry, and diocesan roles. He has been a featured speaker at retreats and events across the country. His mission and drive have been especially inspired by St. John Paul II’s teachings. Tommy is blessed to be able to learn from the numerous parishes he visits and pass that experience on in his presentations. Contact him at tshultz@diocesan.com.

Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Col1:1-8

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother,
to the holy ones and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:
grace to you and peace from God our Father.

We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when we pray for you,
for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
and the love that you have for all the holy ones
because of the hope reserved for you in heaven.
Of this you have already heard
through the word of truth, the Gospel, that has come to you.
Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing,
so also among you,
from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth,
as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow slave,
who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf
and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 52:10, 11

R. (10) I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever.
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I will thank you always for what you have done,
and proclaim the goodness of your name
before your faithful ones.
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.

Alleluia Lk 4:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 4:38-44

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,
and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
She got up immediately and waited on them.

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, “To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent.”
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

– – –
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.

Transformed for Good

Today is the birthday of my best friend, my love, my husband. I picked this day to write a reflection for a few reasons – one of the reasons being to dedicate this to my husband, but also to share the beauty of experiencing constant conversion even though it can be scary.

Since marrying Tommy on October 13, 2018, God has left no stone unturned in our adventures of marriage so far – buying a house, adopting a puppy a month into marriage, multiple job changes, and the opportunity to enter into ministry work. All of these events have been significant changes in our lives, and to be honest; they have all been terrifying. While all of these events are significant blessings from God, and I am beyond thankful for the gifts, it has been difficult for me to embrace change in my life.

My OCD has a significant impact on how I process change, and it truly is a process for me to grow in faith through these events. Change can lead to fear because God asks us to leave what is comfortable to pursue holiness, and it is difficult to be uncomfortable. With these transitions, I have been left with feelings of fear and inadequacy. While my confidence and trust may not be constant, God is always constant in His love for me. I continue to doubt at various times throughout these situations, just like Peter doubted, but Christ stays by my side anyways.

All of these changes in my life have been a blessing, and they all have led me to where God wants me at this moment. I am thankful for my husband, our puppy, our home, and my ministry position. Amidst the chaos God reminds me that He has me right where He wants me and that I need not look back at things of the past – I have been changed so as to help me live as a saint right where He has me and to lead my husband to the same destiny of sainthood.

As I close this writing I want to thank my husband: he meets me where I am at, loves me the way I am, makes me laugh when I would rather stay sad, and supports me in my endeavors. While I often don’t love myself, he reminds me of my worth, of my identity in Christ. When in my darkest moments of anxiety, he holds me close and continues to lead me to Heaven. Thank you for all you do for our family, Tommy. You are a true gift, and I wish you the happiest birthday.

To all of our readers, I pray God blesses you with trust in His plans, with courage amidst change, and the endurance to embrace any anxiety that you may face amidst all of life’s transitions. Remember that every day that you choose to embrace God’s plan is another day that you will be transformed into more of a saint than the day before.

Contact the author

Nathalie Shultz is a joyful convert to the Catholic faith and a competitive swimmer with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  She loves to share her passion for Catholicism with others, including her conversion story and how God continues to work miracles in her life through her OCD. She is the Director of Religious Education for the North Allegan Catholic Collaborative of parishes. Nathalie is married to her best friend, Tommy Shultz. Her favorite saints include St. Peter the Apostle, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II.  She is also a huge fan of C.S. Lewis. If you have any questions for Nathalie, or just want her to pray for you, you can email her at rodzinkaministry@gmail.com.

Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

Reading 1 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11

Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters,
you have no need for anything to be written to you.
For you yourselves know very well
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.
When people are saying, “Peace and security,”
then sudden disaster comes upon them,
like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,
and they will not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief.
For all of you are children of the light
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.
For God did not destine us for wrath,
but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep
we may live together with him.
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up,
as indeed you do.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (13) I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

Alleluia Lk 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 4:31-37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee.
He taught them on the sabbath,
and they were astonished at his teaching
because he spoke with authority.
In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon,
and he cried out in a loud voice,
“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”
Then the demon threw the man down in front of them
and came out of him without doing him any harm.
They were all amazed and said to one another,
“What is there about his word?
For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,
and they come out.”
And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

For the readings of the Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, please go here.

– – –
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.

Labor Day

Today is the 125th time the United States of America celebrates this national holiday. “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country” (US Department of Labor). 

How different was the nation when this celebration was instituted then it is today? Is it possible that many have lost an understanding of solidarity? 

As I was praying and reflecting for this blog, the following quotes stayed with me. Find one to take into your personal prayer and actions. By doing so, you renew your call to solidarity with all workers of our country and those who are in search of meaningful labor. You will embody what Jesus read to the people of Nazareth in today’s reading: 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. 

May your labors be fruitful. Shalom.

Pope Francis 

“The many situations of inequality, poverty and injustice, are signs not only of a profound lack of fraternity, but also of the absence of a culture of solidarity. New ideologies, characterized by rampant individualism, egocentrism and materialistic consumerism, weaken social bonds, fuelling that ‘throw away’ mentality which leads to contempt for, and the abandonment of, the weakest and those considered ‘useless’. In this way human coexistence increasingly tends to resemble a mere do ut des which is both pragmatic and selfish.” 

UK Catholic Social Teaching

“Solidarity is about valuing our fellow human beings and respecting who they are as individuals.” 

Theodore Roosevelt

“It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.” 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

“No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”  

Albert Einstein

“A hundred times every day, I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.”  

Confucius

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” 

Pope John Paul II,  ‘On Social Concern’ (1987) 

“We are all one family in the world. Building a community that empowers everyone to attain their full potential through each of us respecting each other’s dignity, rights and responsibilities makes the world a better place to live.” 

Contact the author

Beth is part of the customer care team at Diocesan. She brings a unique depth of experience to the group due to her time spent in education, parish ministries, sales and the service industry over the last 25 yrs. She is a practicing spiritual director as well as a Secular Franciscan (OFS). Beth is quick to offer a laugh, a prayer or smile to all she comes in contact with. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.