60 Second Reflections » 60 Reflections
Greetings From the Trinity
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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Our Gospel reading is John 3:16-18. John 3:16 may be the most well known Bible verse. Most people would at least claim to know the reference, if not what John 3:16 says. (By the way, it is “God so loved the world that he gave […]
Let Go and Let God
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In the first reading today from 2 Corinthians 12, St. Paul continues his thought on boasting about his weaknesses. “I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” In the Gospel reading from Matthew 6, Jesus talks about worry. Have you ever met a […]
Where is Your Treasure?
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In the world, especially in business, there’s an old expression: Never expose your weakness. I think that’s why so many men don’t cry. They view it as a sign of weakness. In our first reading today, St. Paul turns that notion on its head. He says, “If I must boast, I will boast of the […]
God’s Will Be Done
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In our first reading today from 2 Corinthians 11, St. Paul defends himself and his teachings to the Corinthians. There were some silver-tongued “superapostles” coming through town that were leading people astray. The people were falling for a silver tongue and a slick message. But it was not the message of the true gospel that […]
A Cheerful Giver
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Our Gospel reading today is the same one we read on Ash Wednesday. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches about almsgiving, prayer and fasting. Always lessons that we need to be reminded of. In the first reading today from 2 Corinthians 9, St. Paul says, “Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for […]
Doing the Undoable
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Over the next couple of days in the first readings, we’re going to be hearing some of St. Paul’s thoughts about giving to the church and taking care of the needs of the holy ones. Today in 2 Corinthians 8, St. Paul speaks of the awesome example of the people of the church in Macedonia. […]
A Very Acceptable Time
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In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus talks about how we are to no longer live under the old law of “an eye for an eye.” He is talking about retaliation and retribution. It is in our nature to want those who have harmed us to suffer. It reminds me of the old saying, […]
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
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Today is Penecost Sunday. Happy Birthday, Church! The readings today are all about the Holy Spirit. In the first reading from Acts 2, we read about Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. In the second reading today, St. Paul talks about spiritual gifts. “To each individual the manisfestation of the Spirit is given […]
The Example of Barnabas
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Today is the Feast of St. Barnabas. St. Barnabas was a companion of St. Paul, a well-travelled man and a great evangelist. In today’s first reading from Acts, we see the Holy Spirit say, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” And in Matthew’s Gospel, we […]
Jesus and Peter and You
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In the first reading today from Acts 25, Paul is in Caesarea awaiting trial. He is asked if he wants to go to Jerusalem to have his case heard. Paul declines, knowing that God is sending him to Rome. So Paul appeals his case to the Emperor. Our Gospel reading is from John 21, one […]
That We May be One
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In our first reading today from Acts, Paul puts himself squarely in the middle of a dispute between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Paul, a Pharisee by birth and training, spoke of the resurrection of the dead. This was not something the Sadducees bought into. So a big old fight breaks out and Paul has […]
A Fitting Goodbye
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In the first reading today from Acts 20, we hear the conclusion of Paul’s farewell address to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus. What a stirring and moving speech. In it, he quotes Jesus with words that we do not hear in any of the four Gospels, “It is more blessed to give than […]
The Important Stuff
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Sometimes we can get our priorities a bit out of whack, wouldn’t you say? I’m sure there was a time in St. Paul’s life when that was true. But in today’s first reading from Acts 20, he talks about what is really important. More on that in a moment. For the Gospel today, we’re back in John […]
Conquering the World
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In today’s first reading from Acts, Paul runs into a group of believers who have not yet received the Holy Spirit. In fact, they hadn’t even heard of a Holy Spirit. So Paul lays hands on them and they received the gift of the Spirit. In John’s Gospel, Jesus tells the disciples that they will […]
You Belong to God
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At Mass today, you may be celebrating the Ascension of the Lord. Since I reflected on those readings Thursday, we’ll reflect on the readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter today. In the Gospel reading today from John 17, Jesus raises his eyes to heaven and prays to the Father. He says, “I revealed your […]
God Answers Prayers
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More great action in the first reading from Acts 18. Today we meet a Scripture expert named Apollos. After studying the Scriptures, “he established from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.” He turned out to be another one of those great converts. In the Gospel today from John 16, Jesus tells his disciples, “Amen, […]
Sinful Silence
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You may think that baldness is a recent fad. If that is the case, then St. Paul would fit right in! We see in today’s first reading from Acts 18 that, because of a vow he took, he had his head shaved. In the Gospel reading from John 16, Jesus equates the grief that His […]
The Ascension of the Lord
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Ascension. In most dioceses around the country, today is not a Holy Day of obligation. For most, this feast will be celebrated this Sunday. If you are in a diocese or archdiocese in New York, Boston, Hartford, Newark, Philadelphia or the state of Nebraska, then today is […]
Needs vs. Wants
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In the first reading today from Acts 17, Paul gives a great speech to some Athenians at the Areopagus. In the Gospel reading from John 16, Jesus speaks of the coming of the Spirit of truth…”he will guide you to all truth.” In Paul’s speech at the Areopagus, he says, “The God who made the […]
The Visitation
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Today is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We remember that time when Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. The first reading can be taken either from the Prophet Zephaniah or Romans 12. Do yourself a favor and read them both! The Gospel reading is the story of the Visitation […]
Memorial Day
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A bit of a deviation from our normal format today. I’ve still got the link for today’s readings at the bottom of this post. And, of course, I encourage you to read them. There is, as always, much richness. I want to take a moment to ruminate on the holiday that we celebrate in the […]
Keeping the Commandments
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In the Gospel reading today from John 14, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Jesus said, “This is my commandment: love one another.” Notice that in that sentence, He uses the singular “commandment.” But in John 14:15, He uses the plural, “commandments.” So which is it, Lord? Do we have […]
Hated
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More action and adventure today in the first reading from Acts 16. Paul has a vision in which a Macedonian says to him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” So he goes! Perhaps we should pray for the intercession of St. Paul and say, “Come to American and help us!” In the Gospel reading […]
Laying Down One’s Life
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In the Gospel reading today from John 15, Jesus says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Whenever I read this, I hearken back to the story of the good Samaritan. Why? Because Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?” And He answered with the good Samaritan […]
Joy
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In today’s first reading from Acts 15, we see that the early Church was hierarchical. There was a dispute about whether the Gentiles needed to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic laws in order to be saved. Paul and Barnabas knew that this was not a matter that could be settled on a local level. […]
Jesus the True Vine
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In our first reading today from Acts 15, we see more controversy in the early Church about whether or not new believers needed to be circumcised. To settle the matter, Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem to bring the matter to the Apostles. Why? Because the heriarchy needed to decide the matter. In today’s Gospel […]
Hardships and Peace
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We see in Acts today the further adventures of Paul and Barnabas. These guys never had a dull moment! They went around to the different cities saying, “It is necessary to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” In the Gospel reading, we hear Jesus saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace […]
He Love Me, He Loves Me Not
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A very interesting story today in Acts 14 for our first reading. After healing a man who had been crippled from birth, Paul and Barnabas are worshipped as gods. This does not sit too well with them and they tell the people that they are just men; flesh and bone like them. Funny…I know some […]
The Way, The Truth and The Life
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Our Gospel reading today is from John 14. Over the last few days in the daily liturgy, we have gone over this chapter of John’s Gospel in parts. We hear Jesus tell Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” It is good […]
Seeing the Father
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Paul and Barnabas lived a pretty crazy life. In our first reading today from Acts 13, the Jews are filled with jealousy because of the crowds that Paul and Barnabas were attracting. So the Jews had them thrown out of the city. Suffice it to say that Paul and Barnabas were undeterred. In the Gospel […]
Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
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In the first reading from Acts 13 today, Paul continues his message of salvation through Jesus in the temple at Antioch. In the Gospel reading today, we’re in John 14, at the Last Supper. Jesus tells the Apostles, “Where I am going, you know the way.” Confused, Thomas says, “Master, we do not know where […]
Exhortation
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Paul is in the synagogue in Antioch in today’s first reading from Acts 13. The synagogue officials ask if he has a word of exhortation for the people. In the Gospel from John 13, we hear Jesus saying, “Whoever receives the one I send receives me.” I was intrigued by the invitation given to Paul […]
Being Set Apart
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In our first reading today from Acts, we see Barnabas and Saul being “set apart” by the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim the Word of God. In the Gospel reading today from John 12, Jesus says, “I came into the world as light,” and “I did not come to condemn the world but […]
Seeing Grace
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In the first reading today from Acts 11, we read about the rapid spread of the faith. In the Gospel reading from John 10, the Jews become impatient with Jesus, saying to Him, “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus’ answer continues with the theme of sheep: “But you do not believe, because […]
Can You Hinder God?
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In the Gospel reading today from John 10, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” Just as a shepherd watches over his flock and defends the sheep from any danger, so Jesus does for us. He’s got your back, my friend! In the first reading […]
Life More Abundantly
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In the Gospel reading today from John 10, Jesus says, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” What does this mean? A great thing for us to think about each day. Let me start by talking about what it DOESN’T mean. In our way of thinking today, the word […]
Lay Down Your Life
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Matthias. Matthias was the man who took the office of Judas after his death. In our first reading from Acts 1, we see this; that Judas’ office must be filled. For the Gospel reading today, we’re back in John 15, where Jesus says, “This is my commandment: […]
True Food and True Drink
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Today’s first reading from Acts 9 tells us about the conversion of St. Paul. Since we celebrated that feast on Jan. 25, we’ll concentrate today on the Gospel reading from John 6. Today’s Gospel is at the heart of Catholic theology on the Eucharist. We hear Jesus saying, “Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son […]
Flesh as Bread
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A very interesting story in our first reading today from Acts 8. The Holy Spirit sends Philip, one of the Twelve, to interpret the Scriptures for an Ethiopian eunuch. After this, the eunuch says, “Look, there is water. What is to prevent me from being baptized?” Philip baptizes him, then disappears. This passage always reminds […]
Raised Up
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In the first reading from Acts 8 today, we read about Saul persecuting the Church. Because of the persecution happening in Jerusalem, all but the Apostles left there. We read about the bold preaching and healing ministry of Philip. We’re back in John 6 for the Gospel reading today. Jesus says, “Everyone who sees the […]
Give Us This Bread Always
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In today’s first reading from Acts 7, we read about the martyrdom of St. Stephen. He met a brutal end. Can you imagine being stoned to death? How painful that must have been. And yet, he echoes the sentiment of Jesus as He hung on the cross, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Even at […]
Working for Real Food
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Today in Acts 6, we begin reading about St. Stephen. This was a very bold guy who was about to find himself in some real trouble. But even in the face of adversity, St. Stephen’s face “was like the face of an angel.” Tomorrow we will read about the martyrdom of this bold and holy […]
The Breaking of the Bread
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The Gospel reading today is the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus from Luke 24. Please take the time to read it. As Catholics, we believe that at Mass, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist. Today’s Gospel is assuredly a reference to this. The […]
You Can Only Do So Much
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In today’s Gospel reading from John 6, we read about Jesus walking on the water. When the disciples see Jesus walking on the water, He says to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” In our first reading from Acts 6, we read about some of the challenges of a rapidly growing Church. As […]
Rejoice in Humiliation
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Another uber-cool reading from Acts of the Apostles today. Be sure to read what Gamaliel, a famous rabbi, says about this new “Jesus movement.” (My words, not the Scripture.) We also see a very interesting attitude from the Apostles today. More on that in a moment. Today in the Gospel reading, we begin reading John […]
Accepting the Spirit
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A great reading from Acts 5 today. The court officers told the Apostles to knock off this teaching in the name of Jesus stuff. Their answer is awesome, and one that we should always take to heart…”We must obey God rather than men.” If only we kept that in mind more often, think of how […]
Darkness and Light
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What a cool story today from Acts 5. The Apostles once again get thrown into the hoosegow when, in the middle of the night, an angel comes and opens the doors to the prison and lets them out. This is getting to be something of a pattern for these guys! In fact, today we might […]
Greater Works than Jesus’
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Today is the Feast of St. Philip and St. James. They were both Apostles. James was a cousin of the Lord, the son of Alphaeus, and Bishop of Jerusalem. In the first reading today from 1 Corinthians 15, St. Paul talks about how Christ appeared to some after the resurrection. He mentions the Twelve, then […]
Have You Been Born Again?
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Another awesome first reading today from Acts 4. After Peter and John were released, the disciples all got together and prayed, “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness.” The Scripture says “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak […]
God’s Mercy
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Today, the second Sunday of Easter, is Divine Mercy Sunday. So, rather than do a reflection on the daily Scriptures (I’ll trust you to do that on your own!), I thought we could take just a moment to reflect on God’s mercy. If you do a search of the Scriptures, you will find hundreds of […]