The Rich Young Man
Posted on
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...
The Assumption of Mary
Posted on
Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is so much to this feast that I couldn’t possibly fit it into one short reflection. I...
Who Will You Serve?
Posted on
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...
Jesus' Teaching on Marriage
Posted on
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 the Lord had done for them...
How Often, Lord?
Posted on
3 comments
While most folks know about the parting of the Red Sea, many don't know that the Lord stopped the Jordan river from flowing so that the people could cross on...
The Importance of Prayer
Posted on
1 comment
Moses was the greatest of all the prophets. Yet he did not get to take the final step of leading his people into the promised land. Today's first reading from...
A Life of Service
Posted on
1 comment
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...
Looking a Gift Fish in the Mouth
Posted on
In today's first reading from Deuteronomy 10 Moses encourages the people to keep the commandments and statutes that God had given them for their own good. A point for us...
Taught by God
Posted on
1 comment
Today's Gospel reading continues in the Bread of Life discourse from John 6. Jesus says, "It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God." (Here Jesus...
Literally Moving a Mountain
Posted on
Moses wanted to make sure that the children of Israel remembered who God was, and that He alone was worthy of their worship. He gives them yet another reminder in...
Listen to Him
Posted on
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...
Peter and the Keys
Posted on
Today is one of those days when I wish this could be a 60 minute reflection, instead of 60 seconds. The readings are so rich! In the first reading from Numbers,...
Men Who Heal and Serve
Posted on
1 comment
Today is the Feast of St. John Vianney. He is the patron of parish priests because of his dedication to serving and healing his people. He would sometimes spend 16...
How Not to Walk on Water
Posted on
1 comment
In today's first reading from Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron speak out against Moses. The LORD did not take kindly to this, and punishes. See how it turns out. In...
Carrying a Burden
Posted on
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...
The Work of God
Posted on
The Gospel reading today continues in John 6, the Bread of Life discourse. The people ask Jesus, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus replies, "This...
The Jubilee
Posted on
2 comments
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...
Familiarity Breeds Contempt
Posted on
2 comments
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus goes back to Nazareth (his native place) and teaches in the synagogue. It didn't go so well. The people started questioning because...
A Holy Family
Posted on
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus. In previous years it was the Feast of St. Martha, but now the whole family is celebrated. Martha, Mary...
What are You Willing to Give Up?
Posted on
1 comment
In the Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus tells two very brief parables about what the Kingdom of heaven is like. Though often times his messages were hidden, Jesus always...
Moses and Prayer
Posted on
In today's first reading from Exodus 33 and 34 we read about Moses' interactions with the LORD. Moses had a very unique relationship with God. "The LORD used to speak...
The Grandparents of Jesus
Posted on
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne. Tradition tells us that these were the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For the record, Joachim and Anne...
The Hand of the Lord Feeds Us
Posted on
1 comment
In today’s readings, we see the theme of God feeding His people. In the first reading from 2 Kings 4, a man gives the prophet Elisha twenty barley loaves. Elisha...
The Blood of the Covenant
Posted on
1 comment
In today's first reading from Exodus 24, Moses reads the book of the covenant aloud and then takes the blood of the animals that had been sacrificed and splashes half...
The Ten Commandments
Posted on
1 comment
Today's first reading is from Exodus 20, the Ten Commandments. If asked, how many of the ten do you think the average Catholic could come up with? Six? Maybe seven?...
Sinner to Saint
Posted on
1 comment
Today is the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. The Gospel is from John 20. It is the story of Mary’s meeting with Jesus after the resurrection. She was the first...
Bread from Heaven
Posted on
1 comment
Bread from heaven. When most Christians hear that phrase, they probably think of Jesus. And rightfully so. But in today’s first reading from Exodus 16, we once again experience typology. We...
Child's Play for God
Posted on
2 comments
In the first reading today from Exodus 14, we see one of the biggest miracles of all time. Maybe you’re familiar with the story of the parting of the Red...
When You Don't Like the Sign
Posted on
Most people know the story of Jonah. At least, they know part of it; they know the part where he gets swallowed by a big fish. But what about the...
Come Away and Rest
Posted on
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...
This, too, Shall Pass
Posted on
In today's first reading from Exodus 12, the children of Israel leave Egypt after the Passover. The time the children of Israel stayed in Egypt was four hundred and thirty...
A Perpetual Institution
Posted on
1 comment
Each year on Holy Thursday, the first reading for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is taken from Exodus 11-12. That same reading is today’s first reading. In the Gospel...
Being Yoked to Jesus
Posted on
Today we hear God reveal his name to Moses. "This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: I AM sent me to you." In today’s Gospel reading from...
Who am I?
Posted on
In today’s first reading, we see God calling to Moses in the burning bush. The story is one of the most compelling stories in the Old Testament. How did Moses...
Saved by the Belle
Posted on
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus pronounces woes on two towns because they witnessed the mighty deeds of Jesus, yet failed to repent. In the first reading from...
Jesus Over All
Posted on
For today's first reading, we begin a journey through the Book of Exodus. Today we read about an instance of population control. Because the Hebrew population was growing rapidly, Pharaoh...
Unlikely Prophets and Apostles
Posted on
In today's first reading from Amos 7, Amos says, "I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of...
Counted Hairs
Posted on
In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, Jesus talks about your worth. “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground...
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...