60 Second Reflections » 60 Reflections
A Heart of Stone
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In today’s first reading from Ezekiel 36, God tells the people that He is going to take some corrective measures. We also hear the renewal of the covenant…”You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” The Gospel reading from Matthew 22 is the parable of a king throwing a wedding feast. He […]
God’s Justice
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Today’s first reading is one that should be required daily reading for priests and bishops. Through Ezekiel, God talks about some not-so-good shepherds. He is not pleased; and when He is not pleased, things don’t end well for those with whom He is not pleased. Pray for our bishops and priests, that they may be […]
Believing in the Impossible
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It seems the prince of Tyre thought an awful lot of himself – fancied himself a god. This didn’t sit well with the one true God. See what message God has for this guy in today’s first reading from Ezekiel 28. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 19, we pick up the story of the […]
Mary’s Assumption
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since it falls on a Monday this year, it is not a Holy Day of Obligation in the US. This is one of those days that is greatly misunderstood by many. So let’s talk about it, and hopefully clear up some misconceptions […]
Division and Jesus
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One of the titles of Jesus is Prince of Peace. Yet in today’s Gospel reading from Luke 12, Jesus says just the opposite. “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” He then goes on to tell how He will become a source of […]
What God Wants
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Jesus had a heart for children. Take a look at today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 19. He says, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” This is just one of the reasons why Catholics have always baptized their children. In today’s […]
Priestly Celibacy
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I today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 19, Jesus gives His teaching on marriage. In it, He speaks about those who have “freely renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.” This speaks directly to the practice of celibacy for priests and men and women religious. In light of that, I want to share […]
Forgiveness and Feelings
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Today in Ezekiel, the prophet is told to do some things in full view of the people as an example. He acts as one going into exile, showing the people what was about to happen to them. In the Gospel from Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus how often he has to forgive a brother who […]
The Deacon
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Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Lawrence. Lawrence was a deacon who was martyred in the year 258. He was roasted to death on a gridiron and even told his tormentors to turn him over when he was done on one side. In honor of St. Lawrence, I want to honor deacons today. Here […]
Feasting on God’s Word
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 18, Jesus asks a question about a man who has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray. Jesus says, “Will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?” God is always looking after us when we go astray – […]
No More Temple Tax
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Today’s first reading is from the opening chapter of the Book of Ezekiel. In it Ezekiel sees a vision of heaven. It is truly an awesome sight. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 17, the collectors of the temple tax ask Peter whether Jesus pays the tax. When Peter walks into the room where Jesus […]
Be Prepared
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In the Gospel reading today from Luke 12, Jesus talks about servants whose master has gone off to attend a wedding. They prepared themselves for his return. They were even ready should he return in the second or third watch of the night. Jesus then says, “You also must be prepared, for at an hour […]
A Look into the Future
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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. In the first reading, we see the origin of the title “Son of Man” from Daniel 7. It is a kind of prefiguring of the Transfiguration. In the second reading, St. Peter recounts the event as an eyewitness. And the Gospel is from Luke 9, the story […]
On Profit
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In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 16, Jesus asks a couple of questions. “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?” The answers would be none and nothing in that order. I want to reflect briefly on […]
Peter’s Revelation
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In the first reading today from Jeremiah 31, we hear the LORD talking about a new covenant the he will make. “I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Is God’s law written on your heart? In today’s Gospel […]
Spiritual Stick-to-it-iveness
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God is always ready to give His people another chance. When His people turned their backs on Him, He allowed them to suffer the consequences. But in today’s first reading from Jeremiah 31, the Lord says, “With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore […]
“Come”
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In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 14, Jesus is walking on the water. What would you think if you were out in a boat and you saw someone walking toward you – on the water? You’d probably think you were seeing a ghost. The disciples of Jesus did. When Jesus tells them it is He, […]
Feeding the People
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An interesting story in our first reading today from Jeremiah 28. Hananiah was a prophet in the time of Jeremiah. He prophesies before the people and before Jeremiah. But God tells Jeremiah that Hananiah’s prophesy was a false one. This didn’t end well for Hananiah. In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 14, Jesus feeds […]
Greed is Good?
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 12, Jesus says, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Wow! How often do we lose sight of that? Way too often, I’m afraid. It makes me think of how people often identify themselves. I think […]
Innocent Blood
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More prophet talk for us today. In the first reading, the priests and prophets want Jeremiah put to death. But Jeremiah tells them, “If you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves.” In the Gospel, we read about more innocent blood, that of John the Baptist. Matthew recounts the story […]
Serving Like Martha
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Today we celebrate the feast of St. Martha. As per ususal, there are options for the readings. The options for a Gospel reading are from John 11 or Luke 10. In these two readings, we see two different sides of Martha. In John, Martha is filled with faith, and even echoes the words of St. […]
Clay in the Potter’s Hand
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Today we see what I hope is a familiar story in Jeremiah 18. Though you may not know the chapter and verse, it is the story of Jeremiah going to watch a potter at work. More in a moment. In the Gospel, we read the final verses in Matthew 13, the “parable chapter.” Jesus tells […]
What is Heaven Worth?
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In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus tells two very brief parables about what the Kingdom of heaven is like. Though often times His messages were hidden, Jesus always used examples that His listeners would relate to. Today He talks about finding things that would make us rich beyond our wildest dreams. A treasure buried […]
Praying in Darkness
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Happy Grandparents’ Day! Wait…your greeting card calendar doesn’t say today is Grandparents’ Day. But the Church does! Today is the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Jesus’ grandparents. I suspect they doted over Him like any good grandparent! (I wonder if they had their “Ask Me About […]
Can You Drink?
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Today is the Feast of St. James. There were two Jameses among the Apostles. They’re referred to as James the Greater and James the Lesser. The only reason is that James the Greater is mentioned first among the list of the Apostles. This is today’s feast. James was the brother of John and son of […]
Send Us Your Spirit
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There’s an awful lot to digest in today’s Gospel reading from Luke 11. It begins with the disciples asking Jesus to teach them to pray. He teaches them the perfect prayer: the Our Father. Jesus then tells a story about persistence. He then goes on to to say, “And I tell you, ask and you will […]
Choosing to be Wheat
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Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 13 is the parable of the weeds and the wheat. A bad guy comes and sows weed seeds into a man’s wheat field. When the servants find out, they ask the master if they should pull the weeds. The master says that they will be separated at harvest time. Jesus […]
Friday, July 22, 2016
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Gus begins by talking with listeners who are Eucharistic ministers. He asks them what led them to take up that ministry and how they’ve handled it. Later on, Vaticanista John Allen, of Crux, calls in to the show to talk about his new show “Crux of the Matter,” which debuts this Monday, July 25th on the Catholic Channel, […]
Mary Magdalene and You
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Today is the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. There are different options for the first reading, so I’ll let you read them and mull them over yourself. You can choose from Song of Songs 3:1-4 or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17. (You may also get the reading for Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time.) The […]
Fallen Away
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Jesus told many parables. Why? The answer is in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 13. Read it! In the first reading from Jeremiah 2, the LORD seems almost melancholy talking about remembering the days when his people loved him and followed his commands. “I remember the devotion of your youth, how you loved me as […]
Qualifying the Called
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Today in the first reading, we begin a journey through the book of the prophet Jeremiah. At the opening of the book, we read about the call of Jeremiah. Our Gospel reading is from Matthew 13, a chapter that is filled with the parables of Jesus. Today we read the parable of the sower. When […]
Mary’s Perpetual Virginity
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Today’s reflection will actually be a bit more than 60 seconds. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 12, the “brothers of the Lord” are mentioned. Many will use this passage to refute the Catholic belief in Mary’s perpetual virginity. To help, I want to share a chapter from A Minute in the Church that addresses […]
God’s Requirements
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Ask people the question: What does God require of you? I’m sure you’ll get plenty of answers. More on that in a moment. In our Gospel reading today from Matthew 12, some scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus asking Him for a sign. Jesus tells them that they will receive only the sign of Jonah […]
The Better Part
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The Gospel reading today is from Luke 10, the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus visits their home and Martha is busy serving and taking care of details, while Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to Him speak. Martha complains, but Jesus says of Mary, “Mary has chosen the better part and […]
Crime Doesn’t Pay
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In our first reading today from Micah 2, we see once again what God has planned for “those who plan iniquity.” The responsorial Psalm mirrors this. In our Gospel reading, we see Jesus telling those He heals not to make him known, so that the words of the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled. People do […]
Prayer and Healing
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A recent study showed that people who pray generally are happier and tend to live longer. Those are nice byproducts of prayer, but not why we pray. We pray because Jesus told us to. And He said that we can ask for anything in prayer. I have the privilege of praying with and for people […]
Meek and Humble
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In today’s first reading from Isaiah 26, the prophet talks about how physical death is not the end for us. In fact, he talks about the resurrection of the dead. Check it out! In our Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek […]
Credit Where Credit is Due
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The Assyrians thought they were a pretty big deal. Small wonder, as they ran roughshod over anyone and everyone who stood in their way. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus says that the Father has revealed things of the Kingdom to the childlike. Assyria was all that, and they […]
Spiritual Blindness
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Holding fast to faith is so important. The LORD tells Isaiah to reiterate this message in today’s first reading. “Take care remain tranquil and do not fear; let not your courage fail…Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm!” Jesus had done many mighty deeds. And they all pointed to the reality that He […]
How to Lose Your Life
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God made it clear again and again that sacrifices and offerings were worthless to him if they were not backed up by living out his commands. Want more? Just read today’s first reading from Isaiah 1. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus finishes His instructions to the Apostles as He sends them out. […]
Go and Do Likewise
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Our Gospel reading today is from Luke 10. It is the story of the Good Samaritan. Most people are familiar with the term “Good Samaritan,” if not the Bible story itself. A guy goes on a trip and gets mugged, left for dead on the side of the road. Two “holy” men walk right past […]
Here I Am! Send Me!
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Our first reading today is from Isaiah 6. It is one that you will often hear from Vocation Directors. And rightfully so. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus tells His disciples not to be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. “Rather, be afraid […]
Who’s In?
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While reading today’s first reading and responsorial, you may feel like you’re in the midst of Lent. The reading from Hosea 14 is one that we see during Lent, and the responsorial is from Psalm 51 is a Lenten mainstay. Be sure to read and meditate on both! In the Gospel reading today from Matthew […]
Time to Shake the Dust
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In today’s first reading from Hosea 11, the LORD says, “Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer.” So many people don’t recognize or acknowledge God today. Little do they know that all of their “good fortune” is a blessing from him. In the Gospel reading […]
Time to Seek the Lord
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, we see the listing of the Twelve Apostles. Then Jesus sends out the Twelve, telling them to “go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ” One of Jesus’ main missions was […]
Moved with Pity
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The Book of Hosea has much beautiful language and imagery about God’s love for his people Israel. Like the other prophets, it also has harsh warnings in it. Today’s first reading contains the latter. The people had turned away, and God’s punishment was forthcoming. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 9, St. Matthew tells us […]
American Catholic or Catholic American?
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I want to deviate from my regular Scripture reflection today, the day that America celebrates Independence Day. Of course, you can click on “Today’s Readings” and find the readings for the day. Please do that! Those of us who live in the United States of America live in the greatest nation on earth. I firmly […]
Praying for Laborers
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two of His disciples to prepare the way in all of the towns and villages where He was going to visit. Jesus sent them out in pairs. As He sends them out, He gives them some orders. “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals…Stay […]
Fattened with the Spirit
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The people of Israel were in a bad way during the time of Amos. But in today’s first reading from Amos 9, God gives them hope, telling them of the time when He would make all things new. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, Jesus talks about putting new wine into old wineskins. Doesn’t […]
Admitting We Need Help
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In the first reading today from Amos 8, the prophet speaks of a time when there would be a famine in the land. “Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the Lord.” His words would eventually come to pass. For many years, there was no prophet in […]