60 Second Reflections » 60 Reflections
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 […]
Come Away and Rest
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In the Gospel reading today from Mark 6, the Apostles return from their mission trip that Jesus had sent them on. They “reported all they had done and taught.” Jesus then says to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” He knew that they were probably exhausted. Working for […]
It All Comes Out in the Wash
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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 […]
Mercy, Not Sacrifice
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A wonderul story of healing in today’s first reading from Isaiah 38. Hezekiah is dying and he cries out to the Lord. God hears his cry and gives him another 15 years. Hope he used it well! In the Gospel from Matthew 12, the Pharisees dog Jesus’ disciples for “working” on the Sabbath. Jesus says […]
Meek and Humble of Heart
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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 […]
Child-ISH vs. Child-LIKE
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More words of warning today from Isaiah 10. In the Gospel reading, Jesus says that the Father has “revealed (these things) to the childlike.” What does it mean to be childlike? Well, let me say this – there is a huge difference between being child-LIKE and being child-ISH. Unfortunately, I find myself being childish more […]
Learning from the Past
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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 […]
Jesus the Divider
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Wonderful advice from Isaiah 1 in our first reading today…”Cease doing evil; learn to do good.” In the Gospel from Matthew 10, Jesus tells the Apostles that he will be a source of division. Isn’t Jesus sometimes a paradox in our families? Some families are united by their mutual love for Jesus. Weddings, Baptisms, Anniversaries…many […]
Shaking the Dust from Your Feet
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In the Gospel reading today fromMark 6, Jesus sends out the Twelve two by two, with authority over unclean spirits. At the end, He says, “Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” This “shaking the dust” was a symbolic […]
The Attitude of Isaiah
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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 […]
God Will See You Through
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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 from Psalm 51 is a Lenten mainstay. Be sure to read and meditate on both! In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, […]
Freely Sharing Christ
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Thank God for His mercy. In today’s first reading from Hosea 11, we read about God’s great mercy, tenderness and love. Listen to the tender feelings God has as He speaks of Ephraim. “My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger.” In the Gospel today from […]
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 […]
For What are You Laboring?
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Our first reading today is from Hosea 8. Hosea had and interesting, and difficult, life. Much of the book of Hosea is beautiful to read. It is a call from God to return to Him. But some of it is not so pleasant. Hosea, like all the prophets, had to deliver some harsh news. Today’s […]
Married to God
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 9, we see the story of two healings. A woman who has been suffering for years is healed by her faith, and Jesus brings a little girl back from the dead. Thanks be to God for our great Healer! The first reading today from Hosea 2 is filled […]
The Thorn in Your Side
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In the second reading today from 2 Corinthians 12, St. Paul says that he has been given “a thorn in the flesh.” Now, he never says what exactly that is. I generally think that this may be a predisposition to a particular sin. One of those things that you just can’t seem to get rid […]
Plump 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 […]
Calling All Sinners!
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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 […]
A Greater Healing
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The job of a prophet was never fun. It was no exception for Amos. In the first reading today from Amos 7, Amos prophesies about Israel being exiled from their land. He then explains that he was not a prophet, but a simple shepherd and arborist. That is, until God revealed another plan for him. […]
God Bless America
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Some people don’t believe in mixing religion and patriotism. If that’s you, then come on back tomorrow. On this Independence Day, I want to share a prayer that is a common patriotic song, one that you may even sing in church. I think it says all that I am thinking. God Bless America! Land that […]
Awesome Thomas
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Today is the Feast of St. Thomas. That’s right, Doubting Thomas. That story is our Gospel reading. More on that in a moment. Our first reading today from Ephesians talks about the Church being “built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets.” I think if you asked many “Bible Christians” what the foundation of […]
A Higher Calling
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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 […]
Healings Through Faith
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In the Gospel reading today from Mark 5, we see two healings coming from Jesus today; one intentional, the other, not so much…at first, anyway. Jesus is on his way to the home of Jairus, a synagogue offical whose daughter was deathly ill. He asked Jesus to come and heal her. Such faith! While on […]
Not Worthy
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Today’s first reading is from Lamentations. It is a sad, depressing read. After reading over the last few days about the diaspora and the Babylonian exile, this is a cry of anguish. In the Gospel today from Matthew 8, we see Jesus perform many healings, the first of which is on a centurion’s servant, done […]
Giants of the Faith
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Today the Church celebrates two giants 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 […]
Your Foundation
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Today in 2 Kings 24, we see the story of the Babylonian exile. Israel had yet another wicked king, and the time had come for them to pay the price for their sinfulness. In the Gospel today, Jesus finishes the Sermon on the Mount. When He was done, “the crowds were astonished at his teaching.” […]
Bearing Good Fruit
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A beautiful story today from 2 Kings. The book of the law is found in the temple of the Lord, and is taken to the king. He assembles the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem, and takes all the people up to the temple where the book of the law is read aloud to them. […]
The Narrow Gate
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Our God is a big God. He can handle anything, even things that we might think are too big for even God! We see an awesome example of this in today’s first reading. The king of Assyria, a guy with all the firepower in the world, was ready to take Jerusalem. But Hezekiah, the king […]
My Beam
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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 […]
The Example of John the Baptist
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Today the Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist. In the first reading from Isaiah 49, we see prophesies that certainly pertain to the life of John the Baptist. In the second reading from Acts 13, St. Paul tells of how John heralded the coming of the Lord Jesus. And the Gospel reading from […]
Let Go and Let God
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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 is Your Treasure?
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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 […]
The Lord’s Prayer
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Over the past few days we have been reading the story of Elijah and Elisha. Today’s first reading is from Sirach 48. It is something of a recap of the story in 1 and 2 Kings. Our Gospel reading is from Matthew 6, where Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. We know it as […]
Double the Spirit
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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 […]
How to Love Your Enemies
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Today’s first reading is an interesting conclusion to the story of Ahab and Jezebel. God sends Elijah to tell them of how He was going to punish them because of their deception and murder of Naboth. Things did not look pretty for this nasty pair. But after hearing of his fate, Ahab repents. God acknowledges […]
An Eye for an Eye? No More!
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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. (Trivia nugget: she’s actually mentioned in a song by […]
Walking by Faith
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The second reading in today’s Mass is from 2 Corinthians 5. Here St. Paul says, “…for we walk by faith, not by sight.” This phrase always brings to mind for me the story of doubting Thomas. He had to SEE the Lord and His wounds in order to believe. Now, you really can’t blame him. […]
Mary’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 […]
The Heart of Jesus
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Today is the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the first reading from Hosea 11, we get a glimpse into the heart of Jesus before He was ever born. “Thus says the Lord: My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred.” And in the second reading from Ephesians 3, St. Paul talks […]
No More Grudges
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God had Elijah tell Ahab that there would be no rain in the land except at his (Elijah’s) word. The drought was long and painful. But the man of God knew that the time had come for rain. In today’s first reading, we see how this came about. Finally, with a cloud that started out […]
Challenging God
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More from the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel reading today. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Jesus is the fulfillment of the law…the law of love. He shows us not how to ignore the […]
I’m Gonna Let it Shine!
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Today in our first reading, we see the story of Elijah and a widow who feeds him and gives him something to drink. For her reward, God keeps her oil jug and flour jar full for a year. All this because she was generous to the man of God. (A good lesson for us to […]
Son of Encouragement
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Today we celebrate the feast of St. Barnabas. There are two optional Gospel readings for today. The reading for the feast day is from Matthew 10 where Jesus sends out the Twelve and gives them their marching orders. The other reading for Monday in the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time is the beginning of the […]
Feast of Corpus Christi
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi, or the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist is “the source and summit of our faith.” It is incumbent on us as Catholics to know about the Eucharist; why we believe what we believe. Today’s readings point the way. In the first reading from Exodus […]
Practicing an Inconvenient Faith
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More great exhortations from St. Paul to Timothy today in our first reading from 2 Timothy 4. All things that we should take to heart. In Mark 12 today, we see the story of the widow’s mite. Rich people come and donate large sums to the treasury, but Jesus is most impressed with a widow […]
Hunger for Scripture
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Jesus got thrown trick questions and conundrums often by the Pharisees, the scribes, the Saducees and others. In the Gospel reading today from Mark 12, Jesus throws out a tricky question Himself. When talking about the Messiah being the Son of David, Jesus queries, “David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?” […]
No Denying
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In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 12, Jesus is asked, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” His answer may have surprised some. He gives not a singular answer, but a plural one. Read it for yourself and ask God how you’re doing with that. In the first reading today from 2 Timothy 2, […]
Not God of the Dead
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In the first reading today from 2 Timothy 1, St. Paul says “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord…” It seems there is a movement afoot to get Christians to sit down and […]
Avoiding Error
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Today’s Gospel reading contains one of the most famous sayings of Jesus. In fact, even people who are mostly unfamiliar with the Scriptures could probably finish this quote: “Repay to Caesar…” The answer, of course is, “what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” In the final analysis, it ALL belongs to […]
Sharing in the Divine Nature
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In our Gospel reading today from Mark 12, Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who plants a vineyard and has tenants care for it. The man sends servants to obtain some of the produce. The tenants beat him and threw him out. The man sends more servants. They beat and even kill them. So […]