60 Second Reflections » 60 Reflections
A Prophet’s Pain
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In both of our readings today, we see and hear that prophets get “dissed.” In Jeremiah 26, our first reading, we see Jeremiah saying everything that God tells him to say. The people’s response? “You must be put to death!” Gee, that’ll make you want to open your mouth next time, won’t it? Then in […]
Clay in the Potter’s Hands
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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 […]
Treasure Map
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In Jeremiah 15 today, God speaks of the need for repentance. “Thus the Lord answered me: If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall stand.” Yet another reminder for us that repentance only brings about good things. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus tells two very brief parables […]
A Heart of Service
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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. […]
Kingdom and Yeast
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What an interesting story in our first reading from Jeremiah 13. It is about a loincloth – we would think of it in terms of underwear today. The root of the story is about pride. In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 13, we hear a couple more parables from Jesus. The first compares the […]
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 […]
Jesus’ Grandparents
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne. Tradition tells us that these were the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For the record, Joachim and Anne are not mentioned in the Scriptures. As the parents of Mary, Joachim and Anne were Jesus’ grandparents. As a new grandfather (my first grandson, Beckett, […]
Saint James
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Today we celebrate the Feast of St. James. This James is the son of Zebedee and the brother of St. John the Apostle. He is known as James the Greater. This isn’t because he was considered greater that the other Apostle James, but because he is mentioned first in the Gospels. Our first reading is […]
Are You Listening?
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People can be a bit dense, slow on the uptake. I know – I tend to be one of those people. This is kind of a theme that runs through the readings today. God tried and tried to get through to his people. But in the first reading from Jeremiah 2, the Lord says, “Two […]
No Limits
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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 […]
A Page From Mary’s Story
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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 […]
Three Things
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If you took a survey and asked this question: What does God require of you? I’m sure you’d 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 […]
To Being Wheat
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For the Gospel reading today, we’re back in Matthew 13 for some more parable action. Jesus gives and then explains the parable of the wheat and the weeds. (Note: when you hear the reading at Mass, the explanation may not be read.) This is where a man sows good seed in his wheat field and […]
Evil 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 […]
Evil 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 […]
God’s Desire
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In the first reading today from Isaiah 38, King Hezekiah is on his death bed. He cries and prays, and the LORD answers his prayer and the prophet Isaiah informs the king that he will be given another fifteen years of life. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 12, the Pharisees see Jesus’ disciples picking […]
Meekness and Humility
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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 […]
Too Big for Their Breeches
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The Assyrians were a powerful people. They were definitely the bad boys on the block. More on them in a moment. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus speaks of how the mysteries of the kingdom have been hidden from the wise and the learned, but revealed to the childlike. Assyria had the most […]
History Repeats
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An intriguing story in our first reading today from Isaiah 7. A couple of big-shots are planning to attack Jerusalem and overthrow Judah. And God says, “No way!” In the Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus pronounces woes on some towns – Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum – because He performed mighty deeds there, but they […]
Loving Jesus More
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Social justice has become somewhat controversial these days. Unfortunately, many have a very skewed notion of what social justice is. Want to get a look at what God says? Read today’s first reading from Isaiah 1. As a courtesy, I’ll give you the long and short of it. “Put away your misdeeds from before my […]
The Power of Story
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Today’s Gospel reading is from Matthew 13. Matthew 13 is often called “The Parable Chapter.” This chapter is loaded with parables of Jesus, and we’ll hear all of them from this chapter over the course of the next three weeks. In today’s reading, the disciples ask Jesus, “Why do you speak to them in parables.” […]
Here I Am
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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 […]
If God Brings You To It…
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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 […]
Rejecting the Gospel
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God is a God of mercy. We see this today in the first reading from Hosea 11. “My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger.” In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, Jesus sends out the Twelve, instructing them on how to conduct themselves. At the […]
It is Time
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Hosea, like all the other prophets, lays it on the line in today’s first reading. The bigger and more prosperous Israel got, the further they fell away from God. More on Hosea’s message in a moment. In Matthew 10, we see the list of the Twelve, and Jesus’ command for them to proclaim, “The Kingdom […]
An Abundant Harvest
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In the first reading today from Hosea 8, we see another long list of Israel’s offenses, including the making of golden calves and worshiping them. When there is confession and repentance, God no longer remembers our sins. But where there is neither, “He shall still remember their guilt and pusish their sins.” In our Gospel […]
A Match Made in Heaven
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For our first reading today, we are in the book of Hosea. If you’re not familiar with Hosea’s story, take a few moments to read the book. This was one hard-luck prophet. But a very compelling story. In today’s reading from chapter 2, we see the Lord using the language of marriage. More on that […]
God Reveals
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In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus says, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.” Jesus spoke on numerous occasions about being childlike in our relationship with God. This is […]
The New Wine of the Spirit
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In today’s first reading, the Lord tells of the restoration of Israel that He will bring about. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, Jesus talks about putting new wine into old wineskins. Doesn’t work so well. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never used a wineskin. It took me a while and a […]
America the Beautiful
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Happy 4th of July! I hope you’ll be spending the day with family and, if you’re one of my American readers, reflecting on the founding of this great nation. While I’ve included a link to today’s readings, I want to share something very special today. Last Sunday when I went to Mass, our closing hymn […]
Taking It on Faith
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle. In the first reading from Ephesians 2, St. Paul tells us that the household of God, the Church, is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. And the Gospel reading from John 20 is the […]
Battling Demons
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What a great message the Lord gives to the people through the prophet Amos in our first reading today from Amos 5: “Seek good and not evil, that you may live. Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail at the gate.” God then lets the people know that it is not noisy songs […]
O You of Little Faith
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We know that God is a loving Father. Jesus came to show us that. But even loving fathers punish their children when punishment is merited. In today’s first reading from Amos 3 and 4, we read that the punishment for Israel would not be easy. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 8, Jesus is asleep […]
Following Jesus
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The first reading today from Amos 2 has to do with crime and punishment. God lets it be known that acts of wickedness will not go unpunished. He issues a warning to those who profess to be part of the covenant and yet do evil in the sight of the Lord. The Gospel reading today […]
Greats of the Faith
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Today the Church celebrates two greats of the faith. It is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Interesting, isn’t it? You would think that, given the importance of each, they would both have their own feast day. I mean, after all, Peter was the first Pope, the one who got the keys to the […]
A Mother’s Heart
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Yesterday was the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is appropriate that we celebrate the heart of His mother the following day. Our Gospel reading today is from Luke 2, the story of the finding of the child Jesus in the […]
A Heart for You
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus speaks of His heart in the Gospel reading from Matthew 11: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and […]
Lip Service Won’t Cut It
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In the first reading today from 2 Kings, we see a story of evil, sin, defeat and surrender. The Babylonians took over Jerusalem. It was yet another blow to God’s chosen people; defeat visited upon them because of their sinfulness. In our Gospel reading today from Matthew 7, Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to […]
False Prophets
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Today we have a very interesting first reading from 2 Kings. The book of the law had been lost, and was found. The king summoned all the people and the book of the law was read aloud to them all. The king then renews the covenant with the LORD. In the Gospel reading today from […]
John the Baptist
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Today the Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist. Jesus proclaimed that John was Elijah, come to prepare the way for the Messiah. There are so many traits of John the Baptist that we should imitate. I’ve always felt a very special connection with John. In fact, I chose him as my confirmation saint […]
Of Splinters and Beams
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Today’s first reading shows us the beginning of the diaspora, where the tribes of Israel are scattered, leaving only the tribe of Judah. God allowed them to be tossed out of the land He had given them because of their continual turning away from Him. Once again…actions have consequences! In our Gospel reading from Matthew […]
Christ’s Flesh and Blood
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. The readings for today all point toward the Eucharist in an interesting way. The first reading from Deuteronomy 8 speaks of the manna, the bread that came down from heaven. In the second reading, St. Paul asks two poignant questions […]
Control and Worry
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Today’s first reading from 2 Chronicles is a story of what happens when we abandon God. Read the story and you’ll see that it is not good. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus talks about worry, and how we need to live for today. Have you ever met a worry-wart? Someone who worries about everything? They […]
Where Your Treasure Is
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Today’s first reading is one of those stories that they make movies from. A wicked queen kills off the royal family, but they secret away young Joash, the rightful heir to the throne. Years later they bring out the rightful king, and the wicked queen gets hers. Check it out! In today’s Gospel reading from […]
How to Pray
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Yesterday we finished the story of Elijah from 1 and 2 Kings. Today in our first reading from Sirach 48, we get a recap of Elijah’s life and ministry. In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 6, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. “This is how you are to pray…” He then teaches them […]
Double the Blessing
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Today’s first reading is one that has stuck with me since the first time I ever heard it. Elijah is about to hand the office of prophet over to Elisha. Elijah says to Elisha, “Ask for whatever I may do for you.” So what does Elisha ask for? I’ll tell you in a sec. (But […]
A Difficult Proposition
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Jezebel and her husband Ahab were a wicked pair. After Jezebel had Naboth killed, Ahab went ahead to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard. This did not sit well with God. The pair would pay a steep price, indeed. Upon hearing of his punishment, Ahab repented. Read what happens to this couple. In the Gospel reading […]
Turning the Other Cheek
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Jezebel was one of the most wicked women in all of Scripture. She may well hold the top spot. Why? Read today’s first reading from 1 Kings 21 and you’ll find out. She was a master of deception – a real black-hearted beast of a human being. We’re back in the Sermon on the Mount […]
The Most Holy Trinity
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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity; three Persons, one God. We see this idea fleshed out at the end of the second reading from 2 Corinthians 13. Check it out. It should sound very familiar to you. Did you know that the word “Trinity” is found nowhere in the Scriptures? It took […]
No Spin
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In today’s first reading from 1 Kings 19, Elijah selects Elisha to be his understudy, his eventual successor. Read about the interesting exchange between the two. In our Gospel reading today from Matthew 5, Jesus talks about swearing oaths. In fact, He says we should not swear oaths at all. Why? Jesus said, “Let your […]