Do you remember the first time anyone ever whispered in your ear? Probably not. Me neither, except it was probably my mom. Who whispered? Your brother’s my favorite. Anyway, there is a Jewish tradition where parents of a newborn child will whisper into their ear here, oh, Israel, the Lord is your God. The Lord alone. Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Isn’t that beautiful? And we hear that in the gospel for this Sunday. Jesus reminds us of those exact words. He is the fulfillment of those prayers. What a fantastic thing it would be if Catholic parents would whisper to their newborn, our Father who art in Heaven, hall, be thy name? Let us do it. So, allow Jesus to whisper into your heart good things because you’re worth that. You’re worth the very love of Jesus Christ.
This is Spirit Juice. Peace.
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Humbling Ourselves
Jesus could have entered Jerusalem on a horse, the way powerful people did. Instead, He chose a donkey.
In this Sunday’s first reading, Zechariah prophesies that the Messiah will come riding on an ass, a sign of humility, not worldly power. Jesus shows us that true authority doesn’t come from status or force. It comes from service.
That’s the heart of Christian leadership: to serve, to humble ourselves, and to love even when love is difficult. If we want to be exalted with Christ, we first have to learn how to become servants.
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Making and Breaking Plans
Raise your hand if you have made plans and then canceled them at the last minute for no apparent reason. Millennials and Gen-Zers, are notorious for making plans and then canceling them. Because there is something within us that believes that what I say and promise doesn’t matter and doesn’t hold weight. We can get into…
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The Best Institution
St. John Paul II once said that the greatest institution that has ever existed and ever will exist is the family. Greater than any corporation, league, or system we can imagine. On the Feast of the Holy Family, we’re reminded that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph placed their family life entirely in God’s hands and that trust led them into the greatest adventure of all. Their home wasn’t perfect or easy, but it was rooted in surrender. No matter how messy, broken, or complicated our own families may feel, we’re called to do the same. If we want to change the world, it has to begin with healing and holiness, in our families.
