One Mediator
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The Gospel reading today from Luke 7 features a centurion who says something that every Catholic will find very familiar. “Lord…I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof…but say the word and let my servant he healed.” Sound familiar? It should! We say it every time we go to Mass. The first […]
A Merciful Father
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Mercy is the theme that runs through the readings today. In the first reading from Exodus 32, God wants to punish his people, wipe them out, in fact, for turning their backs on him. But Moses begs for mercy for the people, and God relents. In the second reading from 1 Timothy 1, St. Paul […]
The Cross
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Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In the first reading today from Numbers 21, we see a bit of typology. God told Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. Whenever someone looked at it, they would be healed of their bite from a serpent. This […]
The Past and the Future
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For our first reading today, we begin 1 Timothy. St. Paul talks about his past. More on that in a moment. We’re back in the Sermon on the Plain for our Gospel reading. Today we hear Jesus talking about removing the wooden beam from our own eye before we go pointing out the splinter in […]
Everything for Jesus
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The Gospel of Christ can be tough to live by. I would say impossible without God’s grace. Take today’s Gospel reading, for example. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” These are things that run counter to our nature, […]
The New Self
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I hope you’re hungry, because we get a veritable banquet of spiritual insight in today’s readings! Our Gospel reading today is the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain from Luke 6. It begins with the beatitudes. The difference between’s Luke’s version and Matthew’s is that here Jesus gives the other side of the coin. […]
Captivated
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Scripture is filled with warnings. Today we hear a very stark one from St. Paul in our first reading from Colossians 2. In the Gospel reading from Luke 6, we see the naming of the Twelve, and how Jesus healed everyone who was brought to Him. “See to it that no one captivate you with […]
The Greatest Good
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There may be confusion about something St. Paul says in today’s first reading from Colossians. “…in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his Body, which is the Church…” Some may take this to mean that Christ’s suffering was lacking, or insufficient. That would be […]
When Hate Means Love
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Occasionally, things can get lost in translation. That may be the case today. So we’re here to help. In the Gospel reading from Luke 14, Jesus tells a large crowd, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be […]
Lord of All
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We get a wonderful word about persevering in the faith in our first reading today from Colossians 1. St. Paul says that we will be presented “holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him, provided that you persevere in the faith…” The New Testament is rife with allusions to perseverance. Yes, my friend…heaven ain’t for quitters. […]
You are Christ-like
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Today’s first reading from Colossians 1 is full of Christology. We’ll talk about it in a moment. In our Gospel reading from Luke 5, Jesus talks about wine and wineskins. The new wine and the new wineskins are the new creation in Christ that we become. Jesus says, “No one who has been drinking old […]
Depart From Me, Lord
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Are you walking in a manner worthy of the Lord? That’s a phrase we see in our first reading today from Colossians 1. My sense tells me that you would answer no to that question. I know I would. But are you still walking? Are you still trying your best to accomplish God’s will, even […]
Sharing Jesus
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Yet another treat in store for us! Today we begin a trip through St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians. As in many of his letters, St. Paul begins with an affimation. He tells them of his prayers for them, and applauds them for their love and faithfulness. I can only hope that, if St. Paul […]
Jesus’ Word
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In last week’s Gospel readings from Matthew 24 and 25, we heard Jesus again and again exhorting his disciples to stay awake and be prepared for the return of the Master. In today’s first reading from 1 Thessalonians 5, we hear nearly the exact same language from St. Paul. “But you are not in darkness, […]
Working for God
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Happy Labor Day! I hope you are taking a day of R&R today. There are plenty of options for readings today. The link that I will provide is actually for Monday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time. But if you attend Mass today, you may hear different readings for Labor Day. The Gospel reading […]
The Final Payoff
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 14, Jesus goes to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. While there, He tells a parable in which He exhorts the people not to gravitate towards the places of honor at table. He finishes with the phrase, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, […]
Investing Your Talents
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In the Gospel from Matthew 25, Jesus tells the story of a man going on a trip and giving his servants some talents (money). When the master returns, he wants an accounting of what each one did with his talents. I think it is interesting that these coins were called talents. Because we have the […]
Being Prepared
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Many people today are confused about what God’s will is for them. This is actually very easy. In the first reading today from 1 Thessalonians 4, St. Paul says this: “This is the will of God, your holiness.” That’s it! God wants us to be holy! St. Paul continues… “that you refrain from immorality…For God […]
Paying the Ultimate Price for Truth
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Today the Church celebrates the Passion of St. John the Baptist. The Gospel reading is from Mark 6, the account of why and how John the Baptist was beheaded. It is a sad and grisly story, but one that we can learn much from. I encourage you to read it. Herod is something of a […]
Whitewashed Tombs
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St. Paul led by example. He alludes to that in our first reading today from 1 Thessalonians 2. While he could have insisted that the believers take care of his needs while he preached and taught, he worked “night and day in order not to burden any of you.” He then thanks God that the […]
Praying for Our Children
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Let me start off today’s reflection with an apology. Yesterday I posted the reflection that was meant for today’s readings. The link for today’s readings is correct. If you would like to get my thoughts on the readings, then read again yesterday’s reflection. I was on vacation and mistakenly put the wrong date on the […]
Speaking to Please God
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Our first reading today is from 1 Thessalonians. St. Paul talks about sharing the Gospel of God. We’ll talk more about his thoughts in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 23, we see Jesus giving some scathing remarks to the scribes and Pharisees. He begins a series of “woes” where He calls out […]
Choosing Heaven or Hell
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 13, someone asks Jesus, “Will only a few be saved?” Jesus responds, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” “Enter through the narrow gate.” Enter where? I think it’s obvious that Jesus is talking […]
Ridding Ourselves of Duplicity
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Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Bartholomew. Bartholomew is listed among the Twelve. He was brought to Jesus by the Apostle Philip. Tradition tells us that he preached the Gospel in India, where he was rewarded with the crown of martyrdom. The first reading today is from Revelation 21, where we get a […]
A New Family
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The Book of Ruth is one of the shorter books in the Bible. In today’s first reading, we meet Ruth. Ruth was King David’s great-grandmother. But the story of how that came to be is fascinating, and we see the beginning of it today. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 22, Jesus is asked which […]
Proper Attire
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Today’s first reading from Judges 11 may be hard for us to understand, and even harder for us to accept. Jephthah makes a vow to the Lord. If the Lord gave him victory in battle, Jephthah promises to give as a burnt offering to the Lord whoever came out of the door to his house […]
You’re Invited!
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There are plenty of shifty characters in the Scriptures. We see one of them today in the person of Abimelech, in our first reading from Judges 9. He killed all of his brothers, save one, so that he would be made king. The one brother who manages to escape, Jotham, goes to the top of […]
Camels and Needles
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In the first reading today, we meet Gideon. Be honest now…you thought he was just a guy who dropped Bibles off in hotel rooms, right? Actually, Gideon is one of the mightiest warrior/champions in all of Scripture. Today Gideon meets up with the angel of the Lord. He asks for a sign, and receives one. […]
Willing to Let Go
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Sometimes, like a loving Father, God punishes His children. At other times, though, God may not actively punish people, per se, but rather allow them to suffer the consequences of their own actions. We see this in today’s first reading from Judges 2. The people continually turn their hearts to other gods and away from […]
Get Fired Up!
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I just love the Gospel reading for today from Luke 12. Jesus explains to the disciples that He has come not to establish peace, but division. He goes on to say how He will be source of division, even in families. But before He says that, He says this: “I have come to set the […]
We Will Serve the Lord
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We have a very short Gospel reading today. But as always, it is packed. Jesus says, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” This is why Catholics baptize their infants. We “let them come to Christ” from their earliest days. In […]
Christ’s Teachings on Marriage
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In today’s first reading from Joshua 24, Joshua addresses the people, speaking for the Lord God. He reminds them of all the things that Lord had done for them and for their ancestors; mighty deeds that they could not take credit for. God was reminding them that it was He who had given them everything […]
The Assumption of Mary
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Don’t forget, it is a Holy Day of Obligation. This is one of those days that is greatly misunderstood by many. So let’s talk about it, and hopefully clear up some misconceptions that some people may have. First of all, Catholics […]
Jesus in Our Midst
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Today we read about the death of Moses. It has been fascinating reading about his life and times. As I’ve mentioned many times, no on had a relationship with God quite like Moses. And today’s passage from Deuteronomy 34 reminds us of that. “Since then no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the […]
Have No Fear
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I was away from God for many years. When I decided to renew my relationship with Him, there was much rejoicing in heaven. How do I know? Read today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 18 to find out. In the first reading today from Deuteronomy 31, Moses gives his farewell address to the people, and final […]
What is Best for You
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Our Gospel reading today recounts what I think may be Jesus’ coolest miracle. (I know, I know…I shouldn’t “grade” the miracles of our Lord. But this one is very cool!) The collectors of the temple tax want to get what’s coming to them from Jesus. So Jesus tells Peter to go out and catch a […]
Seize the Day!
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What is faith? Ask ten people and you may get ten answers. But the Scriptures give us the answer! It’s right at the start of today’s second reading from Hebrews 11. “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” In today’s Gospel from Luke 12, Jesus tells a […]
Seize the Day!
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What is faith? Ask ten people and you may get ten answers. But the Scriptures give us the answer! It’s right at the start of today’s second reading from Hebrews 11. “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” In today’s Gospel from Luke 12, Jesus tells a […]
Lawrence the Deacon
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Today we celebrate the feast of St. Lawrence. St. Lawrence was a deacon and a martyr. Our prayers go out today and every day to all the faithful deacons of the Church, through the intercession of St. Lawrence. Thank you, deacons, for your service to God’s people! The first reading today is from 2 Corinthians […]
When Gaining = Losing
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The people of Israel were privileged. God chose them as his own. In the first reading today from Deuteronomy 4, Moses again reminds them of all the marvelous things that God has done for them. And he entreats them once again to keep all of the commandments and statutes of the LORD. In the Gospel […]
Psalm 95
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I don’t often do a daily reflection on the Responsorial Psalm. Today I’ll make an exception. Perhaps part of the reason is that the two readings are so awesome, I couldn’t choose between the two! In the first reading from Numbers 20, God brings water from a rock for the people. And in the Gospel […]
On Faith and Fear
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What happens when we break faith; when we distrust God? We’ll see in a moment. In the Gospel reading today we see the story of a woman who wouldn’t take no for an answer. A Canaanite woman begs Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus replies, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the […]
Listen to Him
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Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. In the first reading from Daniel 7, Daniel sees in a vision “One like a Son of man coming…his kingship shall not be destroyed.” In the second reading from 2 Peter 1, St. Peter recounts the Transfiguration. In the Gospel reading from Luke 9, we […]
The Burden of Responsibility
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Today’s reflection is a tough one for me to write. We see in our first reading today from Numbers 11 a very sad story. Moses had such a huge burden to carry. We’ll talk about it in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 14, we see Jesus going off to a deserted place […]
Our True Identity
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Jesus spoke often about our relationships with money and things. In the second reading today from Colossians 3, St. Paul reminds us to “seek what is above…Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” This plays very well with the words we hear from the Lord today. In today’s Gospel reading from […]
The Jubilee
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In today’s first reading from Leviticus 25, we read about the jubilee. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 14, we read the story of the beheading of John the Baptist. John wasn’t afraid to tell even the king that he was doing wrong. Unfortunately, it cost him his head. […]
We Know Who You Are…
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Today’s first reading is from the book of Leviticus. Many people will try reading the Bible from cover to cover. They’ll get through Genesis and Exodus just fine, but then comes Leviticus and splat! They just can’t get it. So they quit. Leviticus if filled with all kinds of rules and regulations that the Israelites […]
Separating the Good From the Bad
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In the first reading today from Exodus 40, we read about the Dwelling. Notice the capital “D” in the word. This was the place in the Israelite camp where God stayed. We read about how the children of Israel scheduled their travels around the comings and goings of God in the Dwelling. Today’s Gospel reading […]
Radiating God
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Today is the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits. In honor of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who is a Jesuit, today would be a good day to find out more about Ignatius, and the spiritual exercises of Ignatius. If you’re not familiar, take a […]
Being Wheat Today
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In the first reading today from Exodus 33 and 34, we see this very special relationship that Moses had with God. No one before, nor anyone after, until Jesus, had this kind of relationship. “The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one man speaks to another.” Imagine that! Moses actually looked […]