Endure to the End
Posted on
1 comment
The first reading today from Genesis 46 tells the story of a beautiful reunion between a father and a son. In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, Jesus tells...
God's Bigger Plan
Posted on
In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, Jesus sends out the Twelve and gives them their “marching orders.” He says to them, “Without cost you have received; without cost...
Go to the Lost Sheep
Posted on
1 comment
Israel's son Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers. He had risen to a position of great power with Pharaoh, unbeknownst to his brothers. Now his brothers had...
Big Time Wrestling
Posted on
Another fascinating story today in our first reading from Genesis 32. Today we read about Jacob wrestling with a divine being. After something of a stalemate, Jacob gets his name...
Jesus Heals
Posted on
1 comment
Today in the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, we see two miracle healings. The two are similar, yet very different. And we can learn lessons from both of them. A...
They Took Offense
Posted on
In today’s Gospel passage from Mark 6, Jesus goes back to Nazareth, “his native place,” and begins to teach in the synagogue. The people of his home town wonder who...
Taking It on Faith
Posted on
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...
"Follow Me"
Posted on
In today’s first reading from Genesis 23 and 24, we see the story of Isaac finding his wife Rebekah. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, we read the story...
The Ultimate Test?
Posted on
Today in our first reading from Genesis 22, we see Abraham put to the test by God. Could it be the ultimate test? I think so, and I’ll tell you...
Expelling Jesus
Posted on
1 comment
When Sarah was afraid that Abraham would die childless, she encouraged him to have a child with her servant, Hagar. After having her own child, Sarah insisted Abraham expel Hagar...
Saints Peter and Paul
Posted on
Today the Church celebrates 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...
Cutting a Deal With God
Posted on
1 comment
In our first reading today from Genesis 18, we see an amazing story of Abraham negotiating with God. In the Gospel reading, we read about two interesting encounters that Jesus...
Bringing Our Kids to Jesus
Posted on
Today’s Gospel reading from Mark 5 tells the story of two healings. A synagogue official named Jairus asks Jesus to come to his home and cure his young daughter, who...
Laughter
Posted on
1 comment
in today’s first reading from Genesis 18, God sends three men to tell Abraham that his wife, Sarah, will bear him a son. More on that in a moment. Abraham...
Overcoming Shame
Posted on
Abraham was a hundred years old, and his wife Sarah ninety, when the LORD told him she would bear him a son. Imagine his surprise (and, perhaps, skepticism) when he...
What Will This Child Be?
Posted on
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....
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
Posted on
2 comments
Abram had no children, no heir. He expressed this concern to God, and God made a covenant with him, which we see in today's first reading from Genesis 15. In...
Giving What is Holy to Dogs
Posted on
4 comments
In our first reading today we find ourselves back in the Book of Genesis, reading about Abram and Lot. For our Gospel reading, we’re back in the Sermon on the...
A Painful Extraction
Posted on
1 comment
In today’s first reading from Genesis 12, God tells seventy-five year old Abram to pick up everything he owned (which was a lot) and move to a strange new place....
Jesus, Don't You Care?
Posted on
1 comment
In our Gospel reading from Mark 4, the disciples are in a boat with Jesus, who is sleeping. Suddenly, a big storm comes up and the boat is getting tossed...
Thorns and Grace
Posted on
In the first 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....
Your Eyes
Posted on
We live in a world where strength is the be-all and the end-all. One should never even acknowledge weakness. St. Paul disagrees. In today's first reading he writes, "If I...
Putting Up With a False Gospel
Posted on
10 comments
I start today’s reflection with a warning. What you are about to read, you may find offensive. So be it. On a personal note, I do not write these reflections...
You Can't Outgive God
Posted on
If you read today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 6, you might think it is Ash Wednesday. It’s not, but this is the exact same reading we hear every Ash Wednesday....
On Loving Your Enemies
Posted on
Generosity should come easily. In today's first reading from 2 Corinthians 8, St. Paul points to the churches in Macedonia as examples of this. The Sermon on the Mount is...
Turning the Virtual Cheek
Posted on
There's often a big difference between perception and reality. I believe St. Paul speaks of this in today's first reading from 2 Corinthians 6. "We are treated as deceivers and...
How God Works
Posted on
In the Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus tells a couple of parables about the Kingdom of God. The first is about the mysterious way that God works. “It is...
The Immaculate Heart of Mary
Posted on
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...
A Heart Like Jesus'
Posted on
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...
An Angry Age
Posted on
Transformation is key to the Christian life. Here's how St. Paul puts it in our first reading today from 2 Corinthians 4: "All of us, gazing with unveiled face on...
God Qualifies the Called
Posted on
Some people think that the New Testament is far removed from the Old Testament, that Jesus came to do away with everything in the old law and replace it. Funny,...
Bringers of Light
Posted on
1 comment
In today's Gospel reading, we continue with the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5. We hear Jesus say, “You are the light of the world…your light must shine before others…”...
Sharing in the Encouragement
Posted on
3 comments
Such a bounty of things to reflect on today! In the first reading, we begin a journey through 2 Corinthians. At the same time, our Gospel readings will be from...
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Posted on
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of The Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi. All of the readings today point to the Eucharist, the source and summit of...
An Angel Revealed
Posted on
In today's first reading, we finish the story of Tobit. God sent the angel Raphael to heal Tobit and Sarah. Of course, the people didn't know Raphael was an angel,...
Was Blind But Now I See
Posted on
We see in the Scriptures numerous stories of sight being restored. Bartimaeus and Saul come to mind immediately. Today in our first reading, we see another blind man getting his...
A Marriage Made in Heaven
Posted on
In our Gospel reading today from Mark 12, Jesus is asked, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” His answer may have surprised His hearers. Do you know what...
Are the Dead Dead?
Posted on
In today’s first reading from Tobit 3, we’re introduced to one of the archangels, Raphael. God hears the prayers of Tobit and Sarah, and sends Raphael to carry out His...
Your True Character
Posted on
1 comment
In the first reading today from Tobit 2, we see Tobit go through some real hardship in his life. He loses his sight for four years. How would this effect...
The Visitation
Posted on
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...
The Family of the Trinity
Posted on
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity; three Persons, one God. The readings today reflect that. The first reading from Deuteronomy 4 tells us that there is...
On Authority
Posted on
In the Gospel reading from Mark 11, Jesus is asked about His authority. “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authorityto do them?” Now...
Leaving a Legacy
Posted on
Have you ever thought about your legacy – what you will leave behind when your days on earth are over? More on that in a moment. In today’s Gospel reading,...
Jesus is Calling You!
Posted on
In the first reading today from Sirach 42, the sacred author does something that we should do always. He recalls the great things that God has done. In the Gospel...
How to be Elevated in the Kingdom
Posted on
1 comment
In today's Gospel reading from Mark 10, James and John come to Jesus and ask, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other...
The Best Deal Ever
Posted on
Everybody likes a good deal, right? We always like to think that when we're buying or investing, we're going to come out the better for it. And when you think...
Mary, Mother of the Church
Posted on
Today, the day after Pentecost, the Church celebrates the feast of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. This is a brand new memorial, instituted by Pope Francis in...
Pentecost
Posted on
Today is Pentecost Sunday. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the birthday of the Church. We see this event in the first reading from Acts 2. At...
What Concern is it of Yours?
Posted on
1 comment
For today's Gospel reading, we read the conclusion of John's Gospel. Peter inquires to Jesus about John. Jesus answers, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What...
Jesus and Peter and You
Posted on
1 comment
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...