60 Second Reflections » 60 Reflections
Cutting to the Quick
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In our first reading from Hebrews 4, the author of Hebrews tells us about the word of God. More on that in a moment. The Gospel reading from Mark 2 is about the call of Levi, also known as Matthew. Levi was a tax collector. In those days, tax collectors were considered traitors. They were […]
Astounded
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Jesus said, “Come to me…and I will give you rest.” In today’s first reading from Hebrews 4, we see the concept of entering into God’s rest. The sacred author says, “Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest…” Today’s Gospel reading is, I hope, a familiar story. Jesus was preaching at a house in […]
Encourage Yourselves Daily
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Today’s Gospel story is from Mark 1, about a leper that comes to Jesus seeking to be healed. Jesus heals him and tells him not to tell anyone. The guy didn’t listen. Today’s first reading from Hebrews 3 is one that is very close to my heart. It contains a passage that means so much […]
A Time for Quiet Prayer
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Jesus was fully human and fully divine. As such, He felt the same things we feel – physical pain, betrayal, sadness, joy, etc. Today’s first reading from Hebrews 2 tells us that was necessary. “Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” In today’s […]
Learning Through Suffering
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Jesus was (and still is) astonishing. In fact, we see that in today’s Gospel reading from Mark 1. “The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” Do you still have a sense of astonishment about Jesus? I hope so, and I hope it […]
My Beloved
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Today the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord. It is one of the three events that overall encompass Epiphany – the visit of the Magi, the wedding at Cana and the baptism in the Jordan. These all revealed Jesus as the Son of God. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 3, we see the […]
Wise Men Still Seek Him
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Today is the Feast of Epiphany. Our Gospel reading tells the story of the Three Kings, or the Three Wise Men. They heard that the King of the Jews had been born and followed a star to find him. King Herod tries to trick them into giving up the location of the child. But they […]
Deadly Sin
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In Catholic theology, we talk of venial sin and mortal sin. Many will say, “Sin is sin! There is no such thing as mortal sin and venial sin.” Oh, really? Tell that to St. John. He would beg to differ. In the first reading today from 1 John 5, St. John speaks very clearly about […]
Achieving Victory
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There are two options for a Gospel reading today. One is the genealogy of Jesus from Luke 3. The other is from Mark 1, where Jesus is baptized in the Jordan river by John the Baptist. At that moment, a voice comes from the heavens. Do you know what the voice says? Read it and […]
Murderer’s Row
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In the Gospel reading today from John 1, we see an encounter between Jesus and Nathanael. Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, says to Jesus, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” This after he had just met Jesus. Be sure to read Jesus’ response. In the first reading today […]
What Are You Looking For?
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Today’s first reading from 1 John 3 can be a difficult one to grasp. St. John writes, “Whoever sins belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the beginning.” We know that we all sin. So do we all belong to the Devil? In a sense we do when we sin. Sin is […]
Becoming Like God
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Do you know John 1:29? If you’re Catholic, I’m certain you do. We hear it every time we go to Mass, as the priest holds the consecrated host aloft, right before we go to receive the Eucharist. You’ll find it in today’s Gospel reading. Be sure to check it out. For our first reading today, […]
Who Are You?
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In today’s Gospel reading from John 1, the Jews send some priests and Levites to ask John the Baptist, “Who are you?” Be sure to read his answer. Who are you? It’s a great question, and one that we need to answer. Have you ever thought about how you would answer that question? With more […]
A Scriptural Resolution
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Happy New Year! Today is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. I suspect your church will not be as full as it was last Sunday. Here’s hoping I’m wrong! Some people like to make New Year’s resolutions. Others think it’s a waste of time, as they’ll probably not keep them but for […]
The Message of Christmas
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For today’s first reading, we are back in 1 John 2. Today St. John writes about the antichrist. Very interesting stuff, especially for those hard core “end-timers.” Those are the people who keep telling us that we are in the end times. Well, 1900 years ago, St. John said the same thing. Read today’s reading. St. […]
The Model of Family
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Normally, the Sunday after Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family. But since this year Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Family is transferred to today. There are numerous options for readings today, and all of the readings talk about family and relationships. Click on the link below to […]
My Eyes Have Seen Salvation
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Today is the fifth day in the Octave of Christmas. In our first reading from 1 John 2, St. John talks about light and darkness. He writes, “Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.” We need to examine our hearts and accept the light of Christ […]
Today’s Holy Innocents
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Who are the Holy Innocents? They are the children killed by order of Herod in Bethlehem right after the birth of Christ. We read about this today in the Gospel reading from Matthew 2. Matthew tells us that this fulfilled what had been said through […]
Spiritual “Exercise”
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Today we celebrate the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. St. John was the beloved disciple, the author of the fourth Gospel, three letters in the New Testament and the Book of Revelation. Our first reading today is from the beginning of St. John’s first letter. “We proclaim now…our fellowship is with the Father and […]
The Ultimate Sacrifice
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Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr. In the first reading from Acts of the Apostles, we see the story of Stephen’s martyrdom. And in the Gospel from Matthew 10, Jesus tells the disciples, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end […]
A Christmas Thank You
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Christmas is here! Christmas is here! I can remember waking up VERY early on Christmas mornings when I was a kid and yelling that out to my brothers and sisters. We would go wake up Mom and Dad, probably much earlier than they would have liked, and attack the presents under the tree with reckless […]
Christmas is All About…
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Today is Christmas Eve. Many people (myself and my family included) will go to Mass this afternoon or this evening for Christmas. Many will attend the beautiful Midnight Mass. Whenever you attend, I pray that you will be filled with blessings! A recent study said that only 47% of Americans will attend a church service on […]
Bless the Lord!
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Today in the liturgy, the day before Christmas Eve, we concentrate on the birth of John the Baptist. In the first reading we see the prophecy from Malachi 3: “Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and terrible day, to turn the hearts of the […]
Mary’s Magnificat
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In today’s first reading from 1 Samuel 1, we see Hannah giving up her only son to the service of the Lord. Eli, the priest, had prayed that Hannah might be granted the desire of her heart, a son. After Samuel was born, she gave him to Eli to be brought up to serve the […]
Welcoming Mary
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Today’s Gospel reading from Luke 1 is the story of the Visitation, when Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who herself was pregnant with John the Baptist. “Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” […]
LOVE is With Us
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In today’s first reading from Isaiah 7, we see the prophecy that is at the heart of Christianity. “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” The virgin birth. And the Gospel reading from Luke 1 shows the fulfillment of this […]
Miracle Babies
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Today’s readings tell the stories of two miracle babies – Samson and John the Baptist. The mothers of both of these boys were barren. Everyone assumed they would never have children. God had another plan. Each of these babies had a special mission in God’s plan. Samson was destined to deliver Israel from the power […]
Dream Big!
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Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Christmas is just one week away! In today’s first reading, we see the prophesy from Isaiah 7: “Therefor the LORD himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” In the Gospel reading from Matthew 1, the story […]
All in the Family
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Well, it is one week before Christmas Eve! Are you feeling it yet? Beginning today, the liturgy begins to unfold the story of Christmas. In the first reading today from Genesis 49, we hear Jacob telling his sons, “The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his legs, while tribute is […]
A House of Prayer
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We hear more about John the Baptist in today’s Gospel reading from John 5. Jesus says, “John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s.” In the first reading from Isaiah 56, the LORD says, “For my house […]
My Love Shall Never Leave You
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 7, Jesus reveals the truth about John the Baptist. “This is the one about whom Scripture says: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.” In the first reading from Isaiah 54, the Lord gives us words we must always hang […]
Go and Tell
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In the first reading today from Isaiah 45, you get the sense that God has a message for the people. Five times God says, “I am the Lord, there is no other!” (Or something very similar.) Only God is God…get the message? In the Gospel reading from Luke 7, John sends two of his disciples […]
Changed Minds, Changed Hearts, Changed Ways
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A genuine encounter with Jesus changes a person. In today’s readings we read about people who have encountered God and changed. In the first reading from Zephaniah 3, we see that most of the people have rejected God. But the LORD says, “For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, that […]
Your Merciful Mother
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Today the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on a hill in Tepeyac, Mexico, in December of 1531, she declared, “I am your most merciful Mother…I want to show my loving clemency and compassion to those who call upon me in their sorrows.” […]
Like a Prophet
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Happy Gaudete Sunday! The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice.” It is the first word of the Introit, or entrance antiphon, in the Mass. Today we light the pink candle on the Advent wreath. Rejoice! The Lord is near! Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 11 once again focuses on […]
Expect the Unexpected
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Today’s first reading is from the Book of Sirach. The author talks of Elijah, “whose words were a flaming furnace.” Then in the Gospel reading from Matthew 17, the disciples ask Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answers and tells them that “Elijah has already come.” But the scribes […]
Simple But Not Easy
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Love always desires the good. God is love. Therefore, God always desires the good. He always wants what is best for us. He also knows that often what we want is not what is best for us. In the first reading from Isaiah 48, it’s put like this: “I, the LORD, your God, teach you […]
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
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Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. It is a Holy Day of obligation. Let’s talk briefly today about what the Immaculate Conception is, and isn’t. Probably the most common misconception (no pun intended) that people have is that the Immaculate Conception refers to the moment when Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary. […]
Hope in the Lord
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We’re back in Isaiah for our first reading today. The final verse in today’s reading is Isaiah 40:31. I’ll talk about it in a moment. Our Gospel passage today is a short one, from Matthew 11. Jesus tells the people, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you […]
We are Grass
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In today’s first reading from Isaiah 40, Isaiah is told, “Cry out!” He answers to the voice, “What shall I cry out?” We’ll talk about it in a moment. In today’s Gospel from Matthew 18, Jesus tells about the guy who has 100 sheep, and one gets lost. So he leaves the 99 behind to […]
Bringing Those We Love to Jesus
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I love today’s first reading from Isaiah 35 for the admonition that God gives. It is one that I hope you and I will follow every day. “Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, […]
Evidence of Repentance
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John the Baptist is one of the most important figures in salvation history. That’s why the Church concentrates on him so much during the season of Advent. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 3, we hear the longest soliloquy of John the Baptist. In it, he says, “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” […]
Walk This Way
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Today is the second day in a row where we see the word “pity” in the Gospel reading. In today’s Gospel from Matthew 9 and 10, we see that Jesus’ heart was “moved with pity” for the people, “because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” Today’s first reading from Isaiah 30 […]
Clear Vision
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In the first reading today from Isaiah 29, the Lord God says through the prophet: “And out of the gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.” If you had to guess what the Gospel reading would be about, what would your guess be? Jesus giving sight to a blind man? Well, you’re […]
What’s Your Foundation?
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Have you ever been to New York City? If not, you’ve surely seen it before. Skyscrapers all throughout Manhattan reaching to the heavens. Ever wonder how they put those things all so close together, and how they always remain so firm? It’s because of their foundation. Manhattan has this amazingly strong bedrock underneath all those […]
He Ain’t Heavy…
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Today is the feast of St. Andrew. Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. In the first reading from Romans 10, St. Paul asks a number of questions…”How can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent?” Did you know that the word “apostle” means “one who is […]
Childish or Childlike?
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Today’s first reading from Isaiah 11 starts with what should be a familiar prophesy. “On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse…” Jesse was Kind David’s father, so the prophet is saying that the Messiah would come from the line of David. In the Gospel reading from Luke 10, Jesus says […]
Our Refuge
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“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” These are the great words of faith said by the centurion that we see in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 8. As we echo these words each time we attend Mass, just before […]
Advent
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Today we begin a new year in the Church. Happy Advent! The world wants us to think that this is the Christmas season. But the Christmas season actually STARTS with Christmas! Now, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t get in the Christmas spirit. We should. But our mindset needs to go far beyond shopping and […]
Give Me Strength!
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Today is the final day of the Church year. Tomorrow we begin a new year with the First Sunday of Advent. Today’s Gospel reading from Luke 21 sounds very Advent-ish. Jesus warns His disciples not to fall asleep at the wheel. He says, “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength […]