Finding Balance
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Our Gospel reading today is from Luke 10. It is the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus has come to the house of Martha and her sister Mary. Martha is feeling the burden of all the serving, while her sister is sitting at the feet of the Lord listening to Him speak. So Martha says […]
Go Tell It
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In our reading from Exodus 12 today, God tells the children of Israel that the night of the Passover will be a “vigil for the Lord throughout their generations.” And so it remains to this very day. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 12, Jesus cures many people. But He “warned them not to make […]
I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice
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In the first reading today, we see God giving Moses and Aaron instructions for the Passover. This is a passage of Scripture that we hear each year on Holy Thursday. Just as God commanded the children of Israel to eat the flesh of the lamb, so we, too, must eat the Flesh of the Lamb […]
Finding Rest
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In the first reading today from Exodus 3, Moses has a question for God. “When the children of Israel ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?” God replies, “Tell the children of Israel: I AM sent me to you.” This became God’s name, and in the New Testament, we hear […]
Who, Me?
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The story is one of the most compelling stories in the Old Testament. In today’s first reading, we see God calling to Moses in the burning bush. How did Moses respond to God’s call? More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus says that the Father has “hidden these things from […]
God’s Purpose for Marriage
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Marriage is under attack these days on so many fronts. Half of marriages end in divorce. Many couples are opting not to even get married. Some are trying to redefine what marriage is. The state of marriage today breaks my heart. I believe that part of the problem is that many people don’t understand God’s […]
A God of Convenience?
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In today’s first reading, we begin reading the story of Moses. The Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt, and every Hebrew male child was to be killed. But Moses’ mother hid him and put the child in a basket and sent him floating down the river. The basket was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter, who took the […]
A Source of Division
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One of the titles of Jesus is Prince of Peace. Yet in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus says just the opposite. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword.” He then goes on to tell how He will […]
To Acknowledge or Not to Acknowledge
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In today’s first reading, we see the end of the story of Joseph in Genesis 49 and 50. After Jacob had died, Joseph’s brothers were still afraid that Joseph might exact revenge on them for what they had done to him. But Joseph had no such plans. And he reassures them that he forgives them, […]
Shrewd and Simple
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What a beautiful reunion we read about today in our first reading from Genesis 46. Jacob/Israel thought that his youngest son, Joseph, had been eaten by wild beasts. But then his other boys come back from Egypt and spill the beans about the truth of what happened. Israel was now very old, and all he […]
Seeing the Bigger Picture
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When bad things happen to people, they often ask, “Why, Lord?” Today we see more of the story of Joseph, who had the right answer for that question in his life. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus gives the Apostles their marching orders. “Without cost you have […]
Going to the Lost Sheep
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In the first reading today from Genesis 41 and 42, we see part of the story of Joseph. After being sold into slavery, Joseph became the second most powerful man in Egypt, right behind the Pharaoh. The same brothers who sold him into slavery had to come begging to him for their lives. Only the […]
Big Time Wrestling
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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 changed. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the […]
Stairway to Heaven
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I love to talk about God’s sense of humor. For me, that really comes into play today. You see, I grew up a Led Zeppelin freak. I was all about Page, Plant, Bonham and Jones. Had every record. Knew every note of every song. Now, we won’t get into the fact here that they were […]
Laborers in the Field
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two of His disciples to prepare the way in all of the towns and villages where He was going to visit. Jesus sent them out in pairs. As He sends them out, He gives them some orders. “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals…Stay […]
New Wineskins
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In the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, Jesus talks about putting new wine into old wineskins. Doesn’t work so well. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never used a wineskin. It took me a while and a bit of study to really “get” this saying of Jesus. So here’s the scoop: the “new wine” […]
Admitting Our Need for Help
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Getting over the death of a loved one is tough. It helps to have others around us who can help ease the pain. We see this today in our first reading from Genesis. After Sarah’s death, Isaac was grieving for his mother. But God sent him Rebekah, and “In his love for her, Isaac found […]
Dependence Day
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Happy 4th of July! In the USA, today is Independence Day. It’s the day we celebrate our breaking away from the British empire and declaring ourselves an independent nation. It’s a day of great pride for patriotic Americans. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that we, as a nation, as a people, have taken the notion of independence […]
Believing the Outlandish
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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 built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. And the Gospel reading from John 20 is the […]
Great Calm With Jesus
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In the first reading today from Genesis 19, we read about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Because of their wickedness, God had his sights set on them. But Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was in the region. Abraham asked that Lot be spared. So angels came and told Lot to get out of Dodge! They said […]
Dealing with God
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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 has with some of his disciples. To both, Jesus talks about the cost of following Him. God was sick of all the wickedness that He […]
Full Speed Ahead!
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In our first reading today from 1 Kings 19, Elijah appoints Elisha to be his successor and attendant. Elisha says, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you.” In the Gospel reading, three people all tell Jesus that they want to follow Him. And Jesus tells them all about […]
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
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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 day. I mean, after all, Peter was the first Pope, the one who got the keys to the Kingdom. (See today’s Gospel reading.) And Paul […]
God’s Perfect Timing
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In our first reading today from Genesis 17, God tells Abraham that his wife Sarai (now Sarah), would have a son – at the age of ninety! In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 8, as Jesus comes down from giving the Sermon on the Mount, He is approached by a leper. The leper asks […]
Saying, “Lord, Lord”
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So many parts of the Old Testament are downright soap opera-esque. This is certainly the case with today’s first reading from Genesis 16. At the request of his wife, Sarai, Abram bears a child with her maid, Hagar. As one might imagine, this doesn’t end well. In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 7, Jesus […]
The Making of a Covenant
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In the first reading today from Genesis 15, God makes a covenant with Abram. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 7, Jesus talks about false prophets and how you can recognize them. “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit…So by their fruits you will know them.” Always […]
Pearls Before Swine
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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 Mount in Matthew 7.What I want to reflect on today will be difficult for some to hear, and will certainly put some people off. Please […]
Mission Focused
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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. In the second reading from Acts 13, St. Paul tells of how John heralded the coming of the Lord Jesus. And the Gospel reading from […]
Our Daily Cross
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In our Gospel reading today, we hear Jesus saying, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” This always reminds me of a story. A woman came to Jesus and said, “Lord, I cannot carry the cross you have given me any longer. […]
Of Thorns and Grace
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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. I generally think that this may be a predisposition to a particular sin. One of those things that you just can’t seem to get rid […]
Sound Eyes
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What do you boast about? I’m sure you don’t boast, and if you do, it is probably about your kids, grandkids or something or someone other than yourself. But would you ever boast about your weaknesses. Most people probably wouldn’t. But St. Paul did. Check it out in today’s first reading from 2 Corinthians 11. […]
Praying for God’s Will
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St. Paul preached the truth. And he was concerned when the people he taught began accepting messages that deviated from the truth. He addresses this in today’s first reading from 2 Corinthians 11. Our Gospel reading is from Matthew 6, where Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. We know it as the Lord’s Prayer, or […]
Cheerful Giving
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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 […]
Practice Makes Perfect
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Poverty and generosity seem like they should be worlds apart. After all, if someone is living in poverty, how can they be generous? They have so little to begin with. Actually, poverty and generosity work hand in glove. If we’re in tune with God, there is truly a cause and effect relationship. Our poverty actually […]
Turning the Other Cheek
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When is the best time for someone to turn to the Lord? To give their life to Jesus? The answer is NOW! St. Paul says as much in our first reading today from 2 Corinthians 6. “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” If you’re hesitating in any […]
Happy Father’s Day!
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I’ll diverge a bit from my normal format today – for a very special reason. Today is Father’s Day. You can still read the daily readings and reflect on them. I’d like to share some thoughts today on fatherhood. Unfortunately, fatherhood has been much maligned of late. If you look at pop culture today, TV, […]
A No Spin Life
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In many of his letters, St. Paul was big on the death of Christ, and our participation in that death. Our first reading today echoes this. “He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” A great […]
The Need for Radical Surgery
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What an awesome first reading today from 2 Corinthians 4. “We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persectued, but not abondoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” This kind of language from St. Paul always gets me fired up! The world can kick us and beat us and […]
Anger
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Today is the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua. St. Anthony is known as the patron of lost items. We ask for his intercession when we have lost something and can’t find it. Maybe you’ve heard, or even prayed, this little prayer before: Tony, Tony turn around, something’s lost and can’t be found. In our […]
Qualifying the Called
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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, Jesus says just the opposite. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 5, He says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law […]
This Little Light of Mine
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Today is the feast of St. Barnabas. Barnabas means “son of encouragement.” Let’s be encouragers like Barnabas! In the Gospel reading for Tuesday of the tenth week of Ordinary Time, 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 […]
Sharing in the Encouragement
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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 Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. Wow! The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for […]
An Unexpected Miracle
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The Bible is God’s word. In today’s second reading from Galatians 1, St. Paul says the gospel that he preached was not of human origin, that it came from a revelation of Jesus Christ. Then he (Paul) wrote it down. We see a very interesting story in today’s Gospel reading from Luke 7. Jesus comes […]
A Mother’s Heart
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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 of His mother the following day. Our Gospel reading today is from Luke 2, the story of the finding of the child Jesus in the […]
A Heart for You
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Today is the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the first reading from Ezekiel 34, God uses the imagery of a shepherd. “I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God.” We see this very same imagery in the Gospel reading from Luke 15. Jesus […]
A Marriage Made in Heaven
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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 His answer was? Read Mark 12:28-34 to find out! Today’s first reading from Tobit 6-8 is the story of the marriage of Tobiah and Sarah. […]
God of the Living
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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 will. In the Gospel reading from Mark 12, some Saducees come to Jesus with yet another trick question. They pose to him a scenario where […]
Character
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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 you? In a moment, we’ll talk about how it effected Tobit. The Gospel passage today is from Mark 12. Jesus is asked about whether it […]
Courage To Do The Right Thing
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Our first reading today is the beginning of the book of Tobit. This is one of those books that is found in the Catholic Bible, but not in a Protestant one. (Unless it contained the Apocryphal or Deuterocanonical books.) We’ll talk about today’s story in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Mark 12, Jesus […]
The Body and Blood of Christ
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. The readings for today all point toward the Eucharist in an interesting way. In the first reading from Genesis 14, we see the brief story of Melchizedek, the priest/king who was a type of Christ. What did Melchizedek bring as […]