Daily Reflections of a Beloved Son: Recent Episodes
Beloved Son Ministry
“When I found your words, I devoured them…” (Jer. 15:16).
Hello there! Want to grow deeper in your relationship with God? What better way to start than to dive into His Word! Whether it be starting off your day or relaxing during your coffee/lunch break or even winding down for the day, nourish your mind and soul with the Word of God. Join us in reflecting and praying the daily scripture readings here at the Beloved Son Ministry “Word” blog. You may read the reflections on the website, listen to it here, or do both. Let’s get to it!
Duc in altum means “put out into the deep,” the command and invitation Jesus imparted unto Simon, the fisherman. This comes after Simon had been out all night fishing but was unable to catch anything. Here, on the surface, Jesus, probably an unexperienced fisherman, gives to Simon fishing advice! Yet, Simon entertains Him, saying, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets,” and when he did, the catch was unpredictably enormous.
Have you ever waited for something to happen, maybe even prepared a long time for it? Maybe it was a vacation you saved up for and planned for months or even years. Perhaps a reunification with a friend or family member you have not seen in ages. For the righteous man Simeon, he was waiting for the “consolation of Israel” and the Holy Spirit told him that he would not die until he had seen the Christ, and the day finally came — the day Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple.
If you were the Lord and was about to begin your public ministry, what would the first thing you do be? Maybe some big miracle or some extravagant sign to show that your power comes from the Father. But, for Jesus, He was a guest at a wedding and seemingly reluctantly performed His first miracle. They ran out of wine, and His Mother asked Him to do something.
This great feast, the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season. Although Jesus had no sin, He got baptized just like everyone else who waited in line before Him to be cleansed of their sins by John the Baptist. Jesus got in line. Like everyone else. Jesus became one of us, like us in all things but sin, to tell us “I AM with you.” In His baptism, Jesus shows us that He came to be one of us, to be with us in all things and to save us from our sins.
On the feast of the Epiphany we celebrate the day when the Magi arrive at the manger, paying homage to the newborn King. They saw “his star at its rising” and followed it. These Magi were learned scholars and were probably well versed in the night sky, and so when they saw this star, they were intrigued, so much so that they got up and followed it! They must have saw plenty of stars but something about this one made them take action, action that brought them to Bethlehem.
On the Sunday following Christmas, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We are invited to meditate upon the virtues each member exemplifies and to ask Mary and Joseph to intercede for us to their Son who will bring before the Father all our petitions. What the Holy Family teaches us is exactly what St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians: “heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” as well as forgiveness and love. When we do our best to live out these virtues we are slowly and surely living out our universal call to holiness.
Companies and restaurants often offer and promote “bottomless” products or services to draw customers. Bottomless brunch, unlimited breadsticks, all you can eat buffet, etc. Some may ask how do these restaurants not go bankrupt with these offers? In fact, I read in an article some time ago that one chain restaurant filed for bankruptcy because of this! They thought that the promotion would draw more customers with the hopes that they will order other items on the menu or invite others to come or come back more often, but their cost-benefit analysis seemed to have failed them. So in the end, their bottomless promotion did reach a bottom and it ran dry. We see a similar concern in the Old Testament when the Prophet Elijah visited the widow in Zarephath. The widow’s supply oil and flour were running dry and going empty; yet, Elijah asked for food.
Have you ever had that experience after talking with someone or having gotten to know someone for sometime, you learn something about yourself or saw something in yourself you could not or did not see before? That is the beauty of relationships. They are avenues that allow us to know others but also to know ourselves more deeply. We think we know ourselves until we encounter someone to challenges our ways of thinking or modes of living.
If someone describes you as “simple” or calls you “simple” or “simpleton,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps you would get upset because there’s an undertone of people regarding you as inferior or “slow” or unintelligent. However, Lady Wisdom as quoted in Proverbs, seems to give those who are simple a shout out, encouraging them to go to her. This reminds me of the Beatitudes, when Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit; blessed are the meek.” Simple need not be a bad label, but rather a reminder; a reminder of our call to be humble, to seek first the Kingdom, and to forsake the worldly ambitious pursuits that will one day crumble into ruins.
Have you ever came across something and asked yourself “Wait. What?” Perhaps when Jesus said that He was the bread of life, believers and non-believers responded in a similar way, “Wait. What does that mean?” But, can you blame them? Even the disciples were not exactly sure what Jesus meant and stopped following Him. However, if you listen closely to Jesus, He explains what He means, and if you know the Scriptures, you might come to slowly understand what He might be saying. In the past, the people ate bread that left them hungry — physically and spiritually — but that bread that He now brings and gives, Himself, will leave them satisfied. Not only that, but this bread, even in death, will enable them to live. “Wait. What?!”
Jesus brought Peter, James, and John up the mountain. We know something is about to happen when we read “up the mountain” for mountains are places where God meets His people. Moses on Mt. Sinai. Elijah on Mt. Horeb. Jesus on Calvary. God comes to meet His people. Peter, James, and John did not know what was about to happen. They saw Moses and Elijah. They were ecstatic! These were like two big celebrities from the past. Then the Father spoke — “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
As baptized Christians, we are a new creation. This means that we must live our lives embodying the joy of the Gospel. Knowing Jesus changes everything. It changes what we have come to believe about ourselves. It changes what we have come to believe about the world. It changes what we have come to believe about God. Knowing Christ changes our lives and we must never go back.
Have you ever been in a situation where you were asked to do something that seems physically impossible? Maybe it was trying to keep a school program running with small numbers or trying to keep the lights on without a paycheck. Maybe it was someone telling you Hang in there, this too shall pass when things seem hopeless and the tunnel dark and without end. Whatever the particulars may be, when we are in the midst of a situation that seems impossible, how do we respond?
Death was never God’s plan for human beings. In being made in the image and likeness of God, and since God is Life, human beings were made for life, a life that does not end. However, because of sin, death entered into the world. But, in the fullness of time, God sent His Son into the world so that this Life might once again be restored.
You and I were made in the image and likeness of God and were destined to be in communion with Him. However, because of Adam’s disobedience, we lost that likeness and have come to experience the effects of sin — pain, suffering, death, and concupiscence (tendency to sin). But, God did not plan to leave us in that state. So, in the fullness of time He sent His only begotten Son into the world so that by His obedience, God’s likeness in us might be restored and the hope of communion with God for eternity made possible. Jesus has come to make all things new, including you and me.
Sometimes we may encounter people who seem so “full of faith,” those who always talk about Jesus, live out lives that try to realize the teachings of God. There are also some people who may be “full of faith” who are a bit more quiet or reserved. The approach to their faith may be different, but their commitment to God and His teachings, not one more than the other. It is quite useless to compare our faith with others because each person’s journey of faith is unique. At the end of the day, there is no prize for the most “faith-filled” Christian, for Jesus won salvation for us all. But the question is will we accept it?
From the very beginning of the story of humankind, we have been told that humans were made in the image and likeness of God. What does this mean? It means that God placed within our hearts, our souls, our very beings something that makes us distinctly us — His very breath, His very life. Hence, in the first Creation Account, when we read after every day of creation, God looked at what He had created and saw that it was good, it is only after creating man did God say “very good.” For this reason, the creation of man has been called the “apex of creation.” We are the only ones in the created order that God made for Himself. You were created for God.
On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ or “Corpus Christi” we highlight one of the greatest mystery of our faith: the Eucharist. Coming from the Greek word ευχαριστία meaning “thanksgiving,” the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324). The Eucharist is the “Bread of Life,” that which sustains us and nourishes. The Eucharist is Jesus Himself.
As Christians we believe in a Trinitarian God, that is One God, Three Divine Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We have come to know that God is a Trinity through divine revelation — Scripture and Tradition. It is not something that we can test or prove, but rather a mystery that invites us to wonder.
Happy birthday, brothers and sisters! Today we celebrate Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, the “birthday of the Church.” On that day something amazing happened. Something that encouraged the early followers of Christ so that they no longer hid in fear but instead boldly proclaimed the Good News of Christ so that all who would listen could be saved.
In many parts of the country, the Church celebrates the Ascension of Our Lord on the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Usually on Ascension Thursday or in many places the Sunday following the Ascension, we celebrate the day Jesus ascended into Heaven, returning to the Father to prepare a place for us all in His Father’s house. It is important to note that Jesus ascended into Heaven and yes, He returned to the Father, but He did not leave us.
At the Last Supper Jesus gave to the disciples a new commandment, the mandatum, to love one another as He has loved them. And how has Jesus loved them? Completely, fully, unconditionally, and unreservedly. We are called to love likewise. Although we cannot truly in the same way Jesus did because of our human nature, we can strive to do so, and we have hope that we can because it was the Lord who has appointed us to do so. We have been chosen, but will we accept it?
Jesus speaks to the intimate relationship that exists between Him and His followers using the imagery of vine and branches. Just as the branches can only exist and grow only if they remain grafted onto the vine, so too, the extent to which the followers of Christ are true followers depend on their dependence on the Lord. The vine is the source of life for the branches. Jesus ought to be the source of our life and all that we do, but is He? How do we know? The answer may lie in the fruit that we bear.
On the Fourth Sunday of Easter the Church celebrates “Good Shepherd Sunday,” because we hear the Gospel in which the Lord says He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. There exists between the shepherd and the sheep a unique bond and relationship. The sheep relies entirely on the shepherd. They know the shepherd will be there to protect them. The shepherd loves his sheep. As Christians, we are the sheep of the flock of the Good Shepherd. Do we know Him?
On the Third Sunday of Easter we are once again presented with the account of Jesus appearing to the Apostles (Lukan account). Last Sunday we heard John’s account of Jesus appearing to the Apostles and saying, “Peace be with you.” It seems as if John’s account has a more sacramental touch to it, whereas Luke presents this encounter between Jesus and the Apostles from a more pastoral approach. John speaks of Jesus breathing on them, sending them forth as He has been sent, and forgiving and retaining sins, reminiscent of the sacraments. In Luke’s account, Jesus appears to the Apostles and He tries so hard to convince the Apostles that it is truly Him, not a ghost or a mirage. Perhaps Luke wants to convey to the reader (predominantly Gentiles) that Jesus is who He says He is and we have every reason to believe so.
It is quite weird celebrating the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on April 8th this year instead of the March 25th, exactly 9 months before Christmas. It is so this year because March 25th landed during Holy Week and so the celebration is transferred to the Monday after the Octave of Easter (today). How interesting it is that on the day we celebrate the Annunciation, the day our Lord was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb, a total solar eclipse will move across North America. On the day of the Annunciation the “power of the Most High” overshadowed Mary, and today the moon will overshadow the sun (or the earth depending on how you want to see it). The overshadowing of Mary revealed the Son of God to man and the overshadowing of the moon will hide the sun.
Pope St. John Paul II proclaimed in the year 2000 that the Second Sunday of Easter would be known as “Divine Mercy Sunday,” highlighting the profound mercy with which God looks upon us and the deep love in which He holds us. This great mercy can be seen in the lives of the Apostles and their encounters with the Lord. Peter, the right hand man of Jesus, vowed to stay with Him, fled and denied of ever even knowing Him. Judas, one of the Twelve, betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. The other Apostles fled when the guards arrested Jesus. Only John remained with Mary at the foot of the Cross. Yet, despite all this, the Lord returns to them, not to scold but to say, “Peace be with you.”
Upon seeing the boldness of the Apostles in preaching the name of Jesus, the leaders instructed them to stop because more and more people were coming to know the name of Jesus — the exact opposite of what they had hoped for when Jesus died on the cross. The more they said please just stop, the more the Apostles preached; not because they were defiant but because they were obedient, obedient to God and unwavering in their love and commitment to their Lord, Jesus. As Christians, yes, we are asked to be docile and obedient to authority, but not if it contradicts the Truth, the law of God.
After Jesus suffered His Passion and rose from the dead, Peter tells the disciples that he will be going fishing. In some ways Peter is going back to his old life, life before Jesus. It is at this time and place that Jesus chooses to appear to Peter, to remind him of when He first called him and chose him, and to encourage him in his vocation — to catch not fish, but rather, people.
After the two disciples shared with the Apostles that they recognized Him in the “breaking of the bread,” Jesus appears to them and says to them, “Peace be with you.” He comforts them and tells them it is truly Him, the Jesus with whom they’ve journeyed for three years. Jesus comes to us today, will we receive Him?
While walking on the road to Emmaus, Jesus encounters two disciples who do not recognize Him. They ask Jesus to stay with them for it was night. At dinner, Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them. They immediately recognize Jesus. Such is the power in the breaking of the bread, for it is not simply bread, but Jesus Himself.
When Mary Magdalene finds an empty tomb she is distressed and upset. She weeps, wondering who could have stolen Jesus’s body for she did not yet understand that Jesus needed to rise from the dead. The Lord appears before her but she does not recognize Him in His resurrected state until He calls her name. Jesus asks her, “Whom are you looking for?”
The idea of “resurrection” was still only a concept in the minds of many at the time of Jesus. It was something some Jews believed in, but perhaps they were not quite sure what that might look like or how it would happen. We still really do not know today, but as St. John tells us “we shall be like him” (1 Jn. 3:2). For Christians the Resurrection is not a concept, but a reality.
Jesus has died and has been buried. The tabernacle is empty and the Lord of Life has descended into hell. The earth stands still but not for long. Jesus has broken through the gates of hell to free the souls of the righteous. Soon, the Lord will rise in His glorified body, fulfilling the will of His Father.
The most unthinkable and unimaginable thing happens – God dies on the Cross. That the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, would take on human flesh, suffer, be nailed to a cross, and to die a criminal’s death is just unbelievable. It does not make sense, but it’s not supposed to. Love does not always make sense.
The Church begins Holy Week with Palm Sunday where were commemorate the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The people welcomed Him waving palm branches and even paving the road with their cloaks, a winner’s welcome. They cried out “Hosanna,” trusting that Jesus is the One who will restore the Davidic Kingdom. The hearts of these people were filled with hope and joy. Yet a few days later, those hopeful hearts will harden into hateful hearts, exchanging their “Hosanna!” for “Crucify him!” Click here for more Lenten Resources.
As Jesus entered into Jerusalem for the final time before His Passion, the Greeks were beginning to grow curious about Jesus. They tell Philip they want to see Jesus, so he goes and tells Andrew, who in turns tells Jesus. Perhaps we expect Jesus to become overwhelmed with joy and excitement that others might be moved by His works to come to knowledge of God, but the reaction of Jesus was very different.
Blessed Fourth Sunday of Lent! On this day the Church implores us to “rejoice;” hence this Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday from the Latin meaning “to rejoice.” Why does the Church tell us to rejoice during what is supposed to be a solemn, penitential season? Because of that to which we look forward: the Resurrection. In His great love for us, the Father sent His only begotten Son into the world so that while we were still dead in our sin we might be saved. For this, how can we not rejoice? Although our salvation has been won, we must choose to live a life that leads us to it.
When we experience some discord or find ourselves on the receiving end of some injustice and we are thinking about saying something back or retaliating, someone may offer some words of wisdom saying, “choose your battles wisely.” Those are indeed wise words, but there are some battles that come without our choosing it and some battles that we must choose to fight.
Every Second Sunday of Lent we hear the Transfiguration account where Jesus brings Peter, James, and John up a mountain where He is transfigured before them. Matthew and Mark emphasized that it was a high mountain and that Jesus brought those three disciples by themselves. The mountain, the high mountain, is always a place of encounter between God and man and there are times that we must be by ourselves with God — quiet prayer and solitude with God is necessary.
Do you remember your baptism? Pope Francis said that if we do not know when we were baptized, we ought to find out, remember it, and celebrate it because it was the day we became a child of God and an heir to the Kingdom. It is this “gateway sacrament” that enables us to live a life of faith, a life that shares in the divine life of the Trinity, a life that is sustained by prayer.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, a time for all Christians to examine their relationship with God. Wherever we may be on our spiritual journey, God is calling out to us. God is speaking to us. God is asking us to return to Him.
Have you ever experienced being denied something even though you know the person whom you approached could have easily granted it to you? Perhaps it was because they really did not want to grant it to you or maybe they knew they had authority and power over you and they wanted to make sure you knew that. Or, they genuinely considered it and discerned it was not what was best for you. This can be the same in our spiritual lives.
When someone popular is in town, people tend to like to go out and try to get a glimpse of them. I remember one time a movie was being shot in Philadelphia and roads were blocked off but those who knew about it would stand behind the barricades to watch. Those celebrities were in town to do their job, but they really weren’t there to see and greet the people. Although sometimes they might stop and give an autograph here or there, but the majority of the time their intention was never to go and spend time with their fans, those who admire their work, those who made them a celebrity. In contrast, when Jesus goes into a town, He deliberately goes to see the people.
Prophets are the mouthpieces of God, speaking what God has commanded them to proclaim to the people for the salvation of their souls. The prophets we hear of in the Old Testament teach and preach under the authority of God; however, in the fullness of time, and according to His covenant and faithfulness, God raised up a prophet for the people who would save them from their sins once and for all, a prophet who would teach with His own authority, Someone with unchallengeable authority — the Son of God.
In this Sunday’s readings we hear once again of call narratives but also a call to action. We read of Jonah’s preaching to the Ninevites and his warning of impending destruction if they do not turn from their wicked ways. In the Gospel, Jesus also calls for repentance, not simply to turn from their old ways or to do what they know in their hearts to be right, but Jesus also gives a command — “believe in the gospel.”
Have you ever been chosen to be a part of a team? Do you recall as a child in the school playground when the two team captains begin to choose people to be a part of their team and your name is called? How did it feel? Or maybe you didn’t get called or maybe called last? How did it feel? Sometimes when we are not called or chosen for something we question our value and worth because something in our hearts tell us that we were not good enough, but that’s not necessarily the case. Sometimes we are not chosen for one thing because something else awaits us.
Traditionally, the Epiphany, the Baptism of the Lord, and the Wedding Feast of Cana are commonly grouped together in celebration because they are all visible divine manifestations of Jesus. With the Epiphany, it is made known that Jesus is King of all the nations and with the Wedding Feast of Cana we see the divine authority of Jesus in even the ordinary life of the people, revealing that our God is a God who cares about the day to day events of the people, even running out of wine at a wedding! Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, something that at face value seems silly — if baptism is to wipe away sins, why is Jesus, who is sinless, getting baptized?
Today the Church celebrates the solemnity of the Epiphany, when we remember the arrival of the Magi or the Wise Men and their presentation of gifts to the Infant Jesus. On a deeper level, the Epiphany is the day when God was made manifest to the people — not just to the Jews, but to all people and all nations, as symbolized by the visit of the Magi from afar.
The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is usually celebrated on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas, which is today. (Side note: An “octave” is an 8-day celebration in which every day of those 8 days is celebrated as the day of the Solemnity, in this case, Christmas. So what that means is that for 8 days, every day is Christmas Day! This will be the same in Easter.) The Holy Family is a model which we should all emulate; I mean it is the HOLIEST of families out there! If you were to ask me to sum up what we ought to emulate from the Holy Family, it would be: the obedience of Jesus, the receptivity of Mary, and the righteousness of Joseph.
Merry Christmas to you! The angels proclaim “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests!” Our God has come to bring us peace, may we do our best to receive it and to pass it along to others. Although the angels pronounced such a grand blessing, the manner in which our “God in the highest” was in fact the lowest and humblest of all — He was born in a stable and laid in a manger.
Blessed Fourth Sunday of Advent to you! Yes, it is December 24th, but it is not Christmas quite yet, at least not until the Vigil Mass of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Eve Mass). It is still Advent, and we must keep preparing our hearts to welcome Our Lord. This Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Church reads the account of the Annunciation…again.
Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as “Gaudete” Sunday from the Latin gaudere meaning “to rejoice.” In the midst of our waiting and expecting, the Church reminds us to rejoice. Although, like Lent, Advent is a penitential season, we are called to rejoice. Why? Because of what the season is pointing us towards — Christ. We rejoice because God took on human flesh 2000 years ago; we rejoice because Jesus will come again as the Lord of all and Judge of the living and dead at His Second Coming; and we rejoice because God draws near to us at this very moment.
Have you ever prayed for something so fervently that you became a bit impatient? Perhaps sometimes we feel as if God did not hear our prayers or that maybe He came through a bit too late. Or maybe even finding ourselves questioning the goodness of God or His presence. But we know that God is all good and that He hears all our prayers, so it can’t be the case that He doesn’t hear us or chooses to ignore us. Rather, God is waiting to answer our prayers at the exact time we need them. God is always right on time.
Blessed Advent to you! Happy New Year! Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, and the Church reminds us of Jesus’s command to “watch.” For what is it that we are supposed to watch?
Today the Church celebrates the last Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe or “Christ the King.” This means that one week from today, a new liturgical year begins with the season of Advent. As is the custom with the end of every year, we are invited to reflect on this past year, not necessarily on how well we’ve achieved our weight loss goals or how well we curbed a bad habit or fostered a new one, but how we well we have lived out our call as Christians, as people who claim to follow Christ, whom we celebrate today as King of the Universe.
When was the last time you thought about how well you’re living out your call? Or the last time you thought about your gifts and talents? Each one of us is endowed with certain gifts and talents that can help build up the Kingdom, but sometimes we may choose to use them for other ends or not use them at all.
As we quickly approach the end of the liturgical year, the Church reminds us of our mortality. What is it that we seek in life? What is the first thought when we wake up? What is the last thought when our heads hit the pillow? Do we seek only to live this earthly life while neglecting the life that is prepared for us for eternity? When the Lord comes, will He find us ready for the Kingdom?
God always seems to do what we never expect would happen. He chose Abraham, a man who was advanced in years and without child to be the father of many nations, the father who would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. He chose Moses who had a speech impediment and who at times showed a great lack of confidence in God to be the leader to face the Pharaoh and to lead His People out of slavery in Egypt through the Red Sea…
One of the most popular verses in the Bible among teenagers and young people seems to be “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13) and for good reason. It’s quite encouraging to see that young people are confessing that it is indeed Christ who strengthens them, and because He does, they can do “anything.” Although the words spoken by St. Paul is indeed true, one must read and understand them with the intention with which St. Paul spoke them.
Are you thinking that the title of this reflection is paradoxical? Can rejection really be joyful? Rejection is never easy and it usually brings with it anxiety and negatively-charged emotions. Perhaps rejection brings a sense of worthlessness and it makes us question our value and even our dignity. The line from Psalm 118 that Jesus quotes, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” challenges us to see rejection in a whole new way, even finding the joy that comes from it.
Continuing with the theme of God’s mercy and generosity, this Sunday’s readings touch on the nature of God and the “attitude of Christ.” In last week’s reflection I mentioned how blessed we are that God is unfair in His dealings with us and this week we are reminded that God’s mercy is extended towards all. Whoever wishes to turn from their sinful ways will receive the mercy of God. Not only this, but St. Paul reminds us of the attitude Christ put on — complete and utter humility.
Have you ever been in a situation when you found yourself thinking, “Wait a second… that’s not fair!” Maybe at work you and a fellow coworker did the same amount of work but when the end of the week comes he receives praise and you do not or when a coworker who did less than you and yet gets the same bonus. There are some things that just don’t seem fair, but they happen. The ways of human beings are sometimes not fair and biased and rigged. But things with God aren’t exactly “fair” either.
"Be patient with me." Those were the words the servant used to plead with his king when he was about to be sold along with his family and possessions in the Gospel (Mt. 18:21-35). We are told that "moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him." Compassion. Patience. Forgiveness. When the servant asked for patience, he received forgiveness.
On one episode of the sitcom Seinfeld, Elaine asks her then boyfriend Puddy if he believed in God. Puddy said yes. Elaine then asked him if it was a problem that she was not religion. Puddy says, “Not for me.” “Why not?” Elaine asks. Puddy answers, “I’m not the one going to hell.” What Puddy does not understand or realize is that it is and should be a problem for him.
Have you ever told someone you trusted them? Or has anyone ever shared with you that they trusted you? What does “I trust you” really mean? With humans there are varying levels of trust — some people we trust with simple things but others we trust with our children and our lives — but at its core, to trust someone is to say to them, “We share this relationship and I am willing to give [a bit] of myself to you.” To those in power when we say we trust your secretary or representative you are saying “I trust that when they see you they will see me and all that I stand for.” This is very true in the encounter we see in the Gospel reading today.
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration where Jesus brings Peter, James, and John up a mountain where He gives them a glimpse of Himself in glory.
Perhaps it is safe to say that we human beings we see good and evil at play all the time. Sometimes it seems as if the good wins and other times, evil. But we must not confuse this interplay between good and evil to be a coexistence. Of course good and evil are seemingly coexisting in the world, but not because God has no power over evil. That is the point I am trying to convey: there is a coexistence not because the Lord of Life and the Prince of Death are equally powerful and so a “truce” exists.
Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life might be? Perhaps this thought came at a time in your life where nothing you did seemed to be enough. Or maybe it came to you when everything in your life was going well. For Christians, this question is a little bit different. This question is posed within the context of a relationship: “What might God’s plan be for my life?” or “How will God’s will be done in my life?” For Christians, our purpose is not simply self-satisfaction or happiness, it is a joy that comes from unity and communion with each other and with God.
If we are to bear the name of another or claim to be a follower or student of someone then our actions should reflect the spirit of the one after whom we follow.
We can see how the Prophet Jeremiah is a “type” of Christ. He is plotted against and denounced because he was doing God’s work. Jeremiah preached to the Southern Kingdom and encouraged them to change their ways lest they fall like the Northern Kingdom fell. But the people did not want to hear it. I guess no one really wants to be told that they are going down the wrong path and to change their ways, but these people wanted to kill Jeremiah.
During this past school year, I have emphasized one word in all of the classes I taught. This word describes the foundation of our faith, of who we are, and of that which we were created. To drill this into the minds of the young people I always ask them, “At the end of the day it all comes down to one word that begins with ‘R,’ what is it?” Relationship.
As Christians we believe in ONE God. We also know that the truth about the nature of God lies within the mystery that is the Trinity — three Divine Persons in one God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today, on this Trinity Sunday, we celebrate this great mystery, the mystery about which we are all invited to ponder and the mystery whose life in which we have been invited to partake.
Today the Church celebrates Pentecost Sunday — the “Birthday of the Church.” It is referred to as such because on that day the Holy Spirit came upon the people and gave them the grace and the courage to go and proclaim the Good News. We were also told that on that day 3000 people were baptized. Although this Pentecost Sunday happened a little short of 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit still comes to us today. Today's reflection is a homily written by Philip that was first published last Pentecost.
In many parts of the country, the Church celebrates the Ascension of Our Lord on the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Usually on Ascension Thursday or in many places the Sunday following the Ascension, we celebrate the day Jesus ascended into Heaven, returning to the Father to prepare a place for us all in His Father’s house. It is important to note that Jesus ascended into Heaven and yes, He returned to the Father, but He did not leave us.
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is commonly known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” because we here about the Good Shepherd in John’s Gospel. Jesus seems to be giving a lesson on the nature of the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep and those who try to steal them. Later on, Jesus tells them that He in fact is the “gate” through which the sheep enter and that He is the Good Shepherd. Only those who go through the gate belong to the Lord, we are told, and whoever climbs over it are thieves. It is only by going through Jesus are we able to find true and lasting peace, joy, and more importantly, salvation.
Is your heart open? What are some things that keep your heart closed off? The Apostles Peter and John encountered a man crippled from birth at the gate of the temple area. When he begged and asked for help, Peter told him that he had neither silver nor gold but that what he did have, he would give to him — his great friendship with Jesus Christ, and at that the man was able to walk. Knowing Christ and friendship with Jesus is worth much more than any amount of money. Do you agree with that?
Happy Divine Mercy Sunday, brothers and sisters! And Happy Easter! We are still in the Easter Season. The Church gives us a special Sunday for the Second Sunday of Easter – Divine Mercy Sunday, a day to reflect and give thanks for the great love and mercy that God has towards us, so much so that He suffered and died for us. Last Sunday we celebrated the fruit of that suffering and death: the Resurrection, and today we give thanks for that.
When Peter and John saw the crippled man who was begging for money by the gate of the Temple, they approached him. Although they had no money to give to him they went to him. The crippled man fully expected to receive something from them, at least a few small coins, but they gave him no money. What the two Apostles offered to that crippled man was something greater, not silver or gold, but rather an invitation to encounter the Risen Lord.
Alleluia! Jesus is risen! He is truly risen! The Paschal Lamb that was slain for us and whose blood washes us clean is risen and He dies no more. What a joyous day! Death has been conquered and Jesus has the final say. And we, Christians, who have been baptized in Christ and in His death, will also share in His Resurrection.
Today the earth stood still. Our Lord’s body is in the tomb. He has gone to the land of the dead. We are told in the Apostle’s Creed that “He descended into Hell.” Have you ever thought about that? It was not enough that Jesus died, He descended into hell to destroy death once and for all. How awesome is that?
After Our Lord had been arrested and sentenced, we do not hear much from Him. Rather He remains relatively silent. This is His passion. It is a passivity, but not an idle one. This part of His life and ministry was one that was passive, one that was about what He allowed others to do to Him.
Every Palm Sunday we read the Passion Narrative, journeying with the Lord from the Last Supper in the Upper Room to the hill of Calvary where Jesus breathed His last. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week that leads up to the Paschal Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), the three holiest days of the liturgical year. Today we are invited to walk with the Lord on this journey, a journey that begins with singing and praising and that ends with the Resurrection but not without first the pain and suffering of death. Will you walk with the Lord?
In this final “character Gospel,” we hear of the “raising of Lazarus.” Notice that it is not the “resurrection” of Lazarus. So far, Jesus has told His disciples that He is the living water in the encounter with the Samaritan woman and that He is the light of the world when He cures the man who has been blind from birth. Today we hear Jesus say He is the resurrection and the life. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were good friends with Jesus and upon hearing that Lazarus was sick, instead of quickly making His way to him, Jesus stayed where He was for another two days. Does that make sense? Wouldn’t you want to rush to your loved one who is sick? How could Jesus treat one of His best friends this way?
As mentioned in a previous entry, feast days are usually not celebrated as such during Lent except generally for two solemnities that occur during the Lenten Season: St. Joseph and today, the Annunciation of the Lord. Although very commonly mistaken, this solemnity is not about Mary being conceived but rather the day when Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as “Laetare Sunday” similar to the Third Sunday in Advent, “Gaudete Sunday,” both reminding us to “rejoice!” In the midst of the penitential season of Lent when we prepare our hearts to once again say “yes” to Jesus and “no” to Satan and to walk with Our Lord as we remember His passion, death, and Resurrection, the Church implores us today to rejoice. Why?
What are the things that we thirst for in our lives? Do we thirst for power? Fame? Wealth? Other people’s approval and affirmation? What are the things that we convince ourselves is what our hearts truly desire? The Samaritan woman went to draw water from the well at noon to that she might quench her physical thirst and have water to use around the house. But Jesus knew she thirsted for something more…
As you may have guessed by the famous painting of Rembrandt that is sprinkled throughout the website, the Parable of the Prodigal Son holds a very special place in my heart. Today’s Gospel reading is this parable. We have the privilege of hearing this parable at Sunday Mass every three years on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. This parable is really a masterful love story about a father whose mercy is so boundless that it appears foolish to the world, but that does not stop the father from loving and forgiving…
On the Second Sunday of Lent we hear proclaimed the account of the Transfiguration where Jesus brings Peter, James, and John up the mountain. Whenever we hear of mountains we know something important is going to happen. Mountains are the places of encounter between God and man. Just as Moses encountered God in the cloud on Mount Sinai, Peter, James, and John encountered the Son of the Living God transfigured before them on the high mountain, giving them a glimpse of Jesus in His glory. Today we are invited to go up that mountain too…
The story of Adam and Eve is perhaps one that is well known to Christians and non-Christians alike. God created man and woman, Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve — all humanity — is the greatest of all creation for they were made in the very image and likeness of God. They had the enviable gift of sharing in the life of God Himself. They had the gift of sanctifying grace. They also had the gift of free choice and free will, and they chose to reject that life with God…
I am confident we have all heard of the phrase, “turn the other cheek.” Perhaps we understand that as to keep quiet and just walk away when someone attacks us and provokes us. To some this is a cop out and shows that we are afraid of confrontation. To others this may be the way to avoid unnecessary pain or violence. But to Christians, this means none of the aforementioned. For Christians, “turn the other cheek” means something different: it means exactly what is written…
When people question why God allows bad things happen to good people, the answers usually always involve “free will.” Our God is not a magician or a god that does things for us in exchange for offerings. Our God is a God of relationship who loved His creation into existence and gave to the “apex of creation” — human beings, the gift of free will and free choice, and a gift as great as that comes with it consequences. In His infinite love, God gave us the freedom to choose right or wrong, life or death, good or evil, and will not interfere with our human agency because that will violate His gift to us.
Have you ever sat around a campfire and watched the wood slowly burning? Or maybe blown out a candle that required more effort than you imagined? Recently I placed one of those battery-operated tealights in front of the Mary statue that is outside my office and I left it on ever since the day I turned it on — nearly 3 weeks later, it is still going strong! It reminds me of how sometimes we get so tired from our work, yet there is still some juice left in us that enables us to keep going…
In some of the Prophetic Books, we hear of this “remnant theology,” where the Prophets speak of a “remnant” of God’s people who will remain, the few that remain faithful, whose descendants will see the Messiah. As we may recall in Biblical history the Israelites repeatedly turned away from God and when the Prophets came to encourage them to return to the Lord with their hearts, some did but even more ignored them. As a result of their self-righteousness, pride, and idolatry, the Israelites fell into the hands of foreign powers, being exiled from their homeland…
Is there someone in your life whose presence changed your life? Perhaps a spouse, a child, or a best friend? We can all agree, I think, that there are some people who come into our lives and leave a lasting imprint or mark. In addition to those listed above, maybe a mentor, someone whom you look up to, or a teacher. There are also some people who may come into your life and stay for only a short while, yet their impact or influence on our lives are permanent and enduring. Who are those people for you?
While he was baptizing in the Jordan, John the Baptist saw Jesus and proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John the Baptist recognized that the One approaching him was not simply another person wishing to be baptized with water for the forgiveness of sins, but rather He was the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and the One who “existed before him.” Many truths are held in the few verses presented in this encounter and exchange between John and Jesus. It reveals who Jesus is and who John is. It reveals who we are and who we ought to be…
Today the Church in the United States celebrates the Epiphany, when we remember the arrival of the Magi or the Wise Men and their presentation of gifts to the Infant Jesus. On a deeper level, the Epiphany is the day when God was made manifest to the people — not just to the Jews, but to all people and all nations, as symbolized by the visit of the Magi from afar…
Happy New Year! On January 1st, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. How wonderful is it that we are reminded on the first day of the year, on the day we embrace new beginnings, that we are not alone, that we indeed have a mother, a Mother in heaven who constantly prays for us and brings our needs before her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. How amazing is that!
Merry Christmas! Christ is born! Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of goodwill! “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” the song sings, and it is indeed! But not because of the presents or days off from work and school (which are all good!) but because of why we have those presents and days off. What is wonderful is not just the fruits but more importantly, the reason. It is the most wonderful time of the year because God has come close to us, He has become man, and He has come to save us. The Angels appeared to the shepherds out on the plains of Bethlehem and shared with them the great gift that has been gifted to humanity, and what was their response?
Part of what makes us human and set apart from other creatures is that we have the capacity to reason. We are able to take in stimuli from the outside world, see how it connects or relates to what we already know, and to make a judgment that is moral and conscience-based. We are able to interpret the signs that are around us and as a result of that, we are able to make changes in our lives…
Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent or Gaudete Sunday. “Gaudete” comes from the Latin word gaudere meaning “to rejoice” or “to be glad.” Similar to the 4th Sunday in Lent, the 3rd Sunday of Advent invites us to rejoice in the midst of our preparations. We rejoice because Christ is near and we rejoice because Our God has come to save us…
As winter approaches, we see signs all around us that point to this seasonal reality. The barren trees, the frosted grass at dawn, the cold weather. Signs of life in nature are seemingly gone. There is a stillness and a silence. It seems like nothing is happening and everything is dormant or dead. Yet, something is happening. In the seemingly lifeless stillness, life is preparing to be born.
Happy First Sunday of Advent! Today we begin our four week journey of preparation for the coming of Our Lord. Coming of the Lord? But He came already over 2000 years ago! That’s correct, but we also know that Jesus will come again at the end of time. But not only that, Jesus also comes to us right now, right here. Those are the three “comings” of Jesus we generally speak about when we mention the “coming of the Lord.” So we know for sure Jesus came 2000 years ago and that He comes to us at this very moment, but we do not know when the end of time will be. We just don’t know…
The Lord warns us that there will be those who will come into our lives portraying to be someone from Him but in reality is not. There will be instances when our senses will fail to detect that what we are experiencing is not from God. There will be times when what is evil will seem to be what is true, good, and beautiful…
During the final weeks in Ordinary Time, as we prepare to start a new year in the Church, we are given readings that shift our focus to what is above. We must be reminded that the time we spend here on earth is only temporary and that our true home, our eternal home is in heaven. Although that may be the case, what we do here on this earth, may determine the life that is to come.
It can be a temptation for regular churchgoers to think perhaps we might be in some way better than those who only go to Church once in a while or never at all. This can be dangerous territory. Absolutely. Should we go to Church every Sunday? Absolutely. Is it good that we go to Church every Sunday? Does it make us any better? Not necessarily…
The cleansing and saving power of Jesus is not limited to only a select group of people. It is extended to all who calls upon Him, all who reaches out to Him, and all who puts their faith in Him. Just as we hear about Naaman, the servant of a foreign king, who at the word of the Prophet Elisha, bathed in the water and was cleansed of his leprosy, so too the lepers who approached Jesus were cleansed as they ran to the priest at His command. In the same way, we too may be healed from whatever is plaguing us if…
How would you describe your faith? In my own experience, most people would describe their faith with an answer somewhere on the spectrum of strong and weak. Some may also describe their faith with either “having a lot of faith” or "having a little bit of faith.” The truth is faith is not necessarily something that can be really quantified. There may be more of a qualitative component, but faith is something that goes beyond what is quantitative or qualitative. Faith is something that is deep within the recesses of our hearts, a response that calls out from the depths of our hearts…
When both Lazarus and the rich man dies, there is a dialog between Abraham and the rich man. The rich man is being tormented while Lazarus is being comforted. Abraham told the rich man to remember the good things he has received in his life and see how he is being tormented now and vice versa for Lazarus. Is Abraham saying that if we live comfortably in this life we will suffer in the next?
We are all stewards of everything that is around us. In being stewards we have to remember and understand then, that everything around us and in our possession is really not our own, but rather a gift, a gift that has been given to us to care for, appreciate, and love. All is gift, and we must use them as they are intended to be so by their Creator. When we are all responsible stewards…
The succession of the three parables of lost and found in the Gospel of Luke is something that has always fascinated me. A lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son, or really, two lost sons. In all three parables there is always the one who seeks and the one who/that is sought or found. In the first two parables, the sheep and the coin were lost and the one seeking stopped everything he/she was doing to find them to the point where someone might even describe them as foolish. Why would any sane person leave 99 sheep to go and find just one that got away?
It goes without saying that following Christ is not always easy, and it is especially true in today’s world and in a society where the “I” or “me” is constantly promoted. A quick rewording of one’s title on social media. Using a filter to enhance one’s facial features. Checking how many hits or likes one has earned. There is nothing wrong with being proud of one’s self, but when it becomes the only thing and most important thing you care about, then it becomes a problem. A big problem.
How often have we heard the phrase “standing on the shoulders of giants” or something similar when referring to those who have gone before us. Where we are today is a direct consequence of those who came before us. The forefathers of our country fought for freedom and independence. Our grandparents and parents who left their homeland to come to this country to start a new life with the hopes of a better life for the generations to come. We are the beneficiaries of the sweat and tears of our ancestors. We are reaping the fruits out the labor of the cloud of witness that surrounds us.
Today the Church celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When her earthly life was completed, Mary was taken upon into heaven body and soul. Mary’s entire life was one that followed and did the will of God. From the moment at the Annunciation when she said, “Let it be done to me according to Your Word,” Mary’s life was one of passivity, in that she allowed God to do whatever He needed to do to bring about the salvation of the world and she fully cooperated.
St. Thomas Aquinas tells us we cannot love that which we do not know. So, for us, in order to really be a faithful Christian, we must love Christ and in order to love Christ we must come to know Him. This is the same for God. Since He is love, and it was out of love that He created us, He already knows us. We are known by God.
Have you ever had the experience of preparing for a very important occasion, whether it be for a big event or for a visit by a special guest? Imagine someone who you look up to and who you greatly respect is coming for dinner. You are exited and nervous at the same time. You want everything to be perfect, from the way the utensils are placed to the taste of the meal. As the big day approaches you ask a few of your closest friends and family members to join you for that special evening. The day is finally here.
Sometimes it can feel as if God is far away and is someone who is distant and hard to grasp, especially when we are going through difficult times and trials. We may begin to doubt and question God and His existence and goodness because our suffering seems unjust or our trials too trying. When this happens the enemy will do all that he can to persuade us to stay in this state and wallow in our misery, driving us farther away from the Light, from God, from the One who calls us beloved. The enemy tries his best to tell us that God is foreign to us.
The Prophet Hosea speaks of Israel as a luxuriant vine. At this time in history, Israel was not being very faithful to God, so much so that Israel was likened to a prostitute. Yet, God reminded them of their dignity and who they were and professed His love to them time and again. But that did not stop the Israelites from turning away from Him. Although God regards Israel as a “luxuriant vine,” she has cheapened herself, becoming a fruitless vine. We too are regarded as “luxuriant,” do we see it or do we too cheapen ourselves? Do our fruits match the luxuriant nature with which we have been endowed?
Our world today seems to be filled with well-prepared and strategic wolves and loss and confused sheep. We live in a world where Truth no longer matters, where human life is no longer regarded as sacred. Just in the City of Philadelphia this year nearly 250 (or more) innocent lives have been lost due to gun violence and other senseless acts. Who would have guessed that about 2000 years after the Resurrection, we would be living in a world where death is still seemingly winning?
Not too long after St. Paul penned his second letter to Timothy did he glorify God by his martyrdom. While imprisoned awaiting his death, the time when he was to meet the One he once persecuted, St. Paul acknowledged that it was the Lord strengthened him and it was the Lord who stood by him, not just in prison, but throughout his ministry. Undoubtedly, St. Paul did great works during his ministry, spreading the Good News to the Gentiles, converting the hearts of many, but St. Paul knew that it was the Lord who did the great works through him…
Through the Prophet Amos, the Lord reminds the people who they were and how they go to where they were at the point. The people seemed to have forgotten about God and they were doing to others and even to each other what the Egyptians did to them. The people seemingly had forsaken their name sake and the One who led their ancestors out of slavery through the Red Sea dry shod. During the Exodus the Lord led them as a column of cloud or a pillar of fire and when the Holy of Holies was constructed His very own Presence was manifested there. The God who walked with them became irrelevant to them and they began to live as it it was themselves that have earned the comforts they enjoyed…
Today we celebrate the birth of St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, the herald of the Messiah. John the Baptist is the prophet that bridges the Old and New Testaments; he is the one that prepared the way of the Lord. John’s life and existence was not expected. His parents were old in age and did not plan to have any children, but God had other plans. God chose Elizabeth to bear the child who would be the first to leap in joy at the presence of the Son of God and who would devote his entire life in preparing for the mission of his cousin, Jesus Christ. In every way, John the Baptist was wonderfully made, and so are we…
How often do we find ourselves just sitting at Church or Mass and sometimes just let our minds wander? Sometimes our participation in services or liturgies become routine and we resort to becoming passive participants of our faith. We were created to be fully alive, to be full, active participants of our faith.
At the Last Supper Jesus said “This is my body” and “This is my blood.” These same words are repeated every time at Mass by the priest who is in persona Christi capitis or “in the person of Christ the head.” When the priest says those words of consecration, it is Jesus who is saying them. It is Jesus who once again is made present to us. It is Jesus’s body and blood that we receive…
When King Ahab was told that because of his disgusting and disgraceful behavior — not only contributing to the death of another but also seizing the decedent’ land, he will be punished and will have to suffer, he repented. Being moved by Ahab’s act of humility, God relented His punishment. The mercy of our God is truly unfathomable and unconditional. This does not mean that sin and evil acts are “okay” or justified, but rather that sin and evil do not have the last word.
Have you ever just stopped what you were doing and looked up and around and just paused to take everything in? Particularly while outdoors, when you just stop and take in the blue sky and white puffy clouds? Or if you are walking along the ocean, just look at the immensity of it? Or for those with small children and babies, to gaze upon your child when they are asleep? Or for those with older children, to look at the amazing person they have become? All of the above are gifts, gifts from God to each one of us, a gift that leads us to ponder in gratitude…
One of the biggest weaknesses that I struggle with is indecisiveness. I can recall as a young child, maybe more so a teenager, I would spend hours in the book store going back and forth as to which book I wanted to buy. After a couple of hours, I would end up leaving the store emptyhanded. Does this resonate with you?…
When was the last time you questioned the presence of God in your life? Questioning is not the same as doubting. When we question, we are usually doing so from a place of faith because we believe that God is here, we wonder why certain things have happened. “If God was here, why did my father have to die?” These are not cases of doubt, but rather invitations to a deeper faith. Elijah also wondered where God was, and the above passage from Scripture tells us clearly — in the “tiny whispering sound.”
Have you ever been in a situation where you said to yourself, “Well so and so does it too” or “If it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for me.” In other words, how often have we found ourselves being content with mediocrity and the status quo? As Christians we are told that just following the letter of the law is not enough. It is not enough to just not hate our enemies, we must love them. As Christians we are called to a higher calling.
There are people or organizations out there that claim they can help you find fulfillment in your lives and sometimes in ways that seem interesting. Some believe in the power of crystals, others in horoscopes and astrology, and still others fortune tellers and psychics. As Christians we know that all those forms of “divinization” is not good, and sometimes that can even unleash evil spirits. But why do people turn to those things? Maybe they want concrete answers or certainty or assurance that things will go the way they would like them to…
How often when we are in the middle of a a difficult situation that causes us worry and anxiety do people say to us, sometimes even automatically, “God will provide.” “I am a single mother of three and I just got fired from my job… Oh, God will provide…” “I am being evicted from my apartment by the end of the week because I am no longer able to afford the rent… Don’t worry, God will provide.” “I’ve lost all sense of my life and I am not sure what to do with my life, and I have no job, no income… Surely, God will provide.” God does indeed provide. He sends us forth.
Today the Church celebrates Pentecost, “Birthday of the Church.” The reflection for today is a homily written by and delivered by Philip while he was in seminary. From Jesus comforting the disciples to sending them forth and breathing on them, He seeks only to give life, and so how fitting that Pentecost Sunday is known as the “birthday of the Church.”
At the end of their conversation by the sea, after Jesus tells Peter what will happen to him (dressed by another and led to where he do not want to do), he ask Jesus what will happen to John. The answer Jesus gives to Peter is similar to what parents say to one child after he or she is told to do something and then he or she asks, “Well, what about Tommy?!” Mind your own business. Do what you’re asked to do. Do not worry about what Tommy is going to do. I can almost here Jesus say, “Peter, don’t worry about what will happen to John. I just entrusted my entire flock to your care, worry about that!”
Initially I had mixed thoughts about the title I gave to this reflection. Love shouldn’t cost us anything, for it should be freely given and freely received, so wouldn’t saying the “price” of love be contradictory? In the Scriptures we hear about the “pearl of great price” and St. Peter tells us that we were not redeemed by any perishable sum of gold or silver. So indeed there is a price that comes with love, but not a quantifiable, monetary one. The price of the greatest love is God Himself.
The month of June is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the very heart that bled for us, that nourishes us and saves us, and that which makes us the beloved of the Father. In His prayer, Jesus says to the Father that we are the Father’s gift to Him. We, flawed men and women, in our weakness and brokenness, are the Father’s gift to Jesus, and Jesus takes great joy and delight in that gift.
Happy Ascension Thursday! Today we look back on the past 6 weeks of Easter, rejoicing in the Resurrection of Our Lord, conquering sin and death, and look forward to Pentecost Sunday in 10 days where the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles. But right now we look up as we celebrate Jesus being taken up to heaven who is continually at work for us. Although Jesus ascended into heaven, this does not mean He has left us. In fact, He is ever more so present to us
On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates “Good Shepherd Sunday” because the Gospel we hear is about the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life for His sheep. This Good Shepherd who has been promised to the the people of Israel by the words of the Prophets is God Himself who has taken on human flesh to lead to paradise Himself, His people, His sheep. But, do the sheep hear His voice?
In response to Thomas’ question Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” But Philip goes a step further and asks Jesus to show him the Father. Jesus does not give a straight answer but instead seems to be a little bit upset or frustrated, saying, “… and you still do not know me, Philip?” Way to go Philip! But of course Jesus does not stop there. He goes on to do what He always do — teach, explain, and accompany.
"I am going fishing" said St. Peter, and the other disciples who were there said "We also will come with you." At this point, Jesus had appeared to the Apostles several times already. They were no longer hiding in the locked room. But instead of spreading the Good News that Jesus had risen from the dead, Peter went back to fishing.
After a long day, the disciples went ahead of Jesus, sailing to Capernaum. The winds were blowing, and the skies were dark. After sailing out a good distance, they saw Jesus walking on water and they began to fear and grow afraid. At this Jesus said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid."
In today’s Gospel, we hear of John’s account of the feeding the multitudes. Below is an earlier reflection on Luke’s account of the same event. Although some details and wording differ between the two accounts, the overall message is similar. With what is given and offered by the people, Jesus feeds the multitudes with more than enough leftover. I pray the reflection below can give us some food for thought in how we approach our own spiritual lives.
When people in authority asks us to do something, we either comply because we know if we don't, we will get in trouble or we do it because we believe what they are saying or asking of us is truly for our good. We are not called to just blindly follow and do whatever persons in authority tell us or ask of us - we must discern it and bring it to prayer.
After the Jewish leaders arrested the disciples and put them in jail for preaching in Jesus’ name, the Lord freed them. Like how the Lord Himself appeared to the Apostles through the locked doors, the Lord does the same for the disciples. They walked free, but when the guards went to check, the doors were still locked. The disciples were told to go and take their place in the public sphere and tell everyone about “this life.” What is this life all about?
Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday! Today I share with you a homily I prepared for this Solemnity. After His Resurrection Jesus goes to His disciples to assure them of His presence and to encourage them in their faith and to move them to belief. He wishes to drive out those doubts and questions from our hearts and fill them with His peace. And nothing can prevent Him from doing so, not even locked doors.
When asked by what power or name did they perform this miracle, Peter answered them emphatically, “the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified.” The Jewish leaders were speechless, but instead of acknowledging the saving power of Christ, they instructed Peter and John to not teach in name of Jesus anymore. Peter and John refused. So, the Jewish leaders “cancelled” them and tried to silence them, but they remained unsilenced.
After Jesus had risen from the dead, He appeared numerous of times to His disciples. One of these appearances was on the shore where Jesus prepares a fire and breakfast. He asked the disciples who were out on the boat if they had caught anything — a sure flashback to when the Lord first called Peter. They said no and so Jesus instructed them to put the net on the right side of the boat. Surely after doing so, they caught many fish. At this John told Peter that “It is the Lord,” and Peter jumps into the water and swims eagerly and anticipatingly to the shore to meet His Lord.
Have you ever heard or saw something and then question its authenticity or validity? Or maybe witnessed or experienced something that you did not think possible? Maybe a unexpected recovery from illness or a miraculous survival from an accident? Something that just caused you to take a step back, pause and ask, “What?” The Apostles were the same way when they saw their LORD who hung upon the Cross and was laid in the tomb stand before them, alive and speaking to them. They thought He was a ghost.
When Peter and John saw the crippled man who was begging for money by the gate of the Temple, they approached him. Although they had no money to give to him they went to him. The crippled man fully expected to receive something from them, at least a few small coins, but they gave him no money. What the two Apostles offered to that crippled man was something greater, not silver or gold, but rather an invitation to encounter the Risen Lord. So, what happened?
Immediately on the day of Pentecost, Peter made know to the Jewish people that the man whom they crucified was indeed the Lord and Christ of God. Some of them grew concerned and they asked, “What are we to do, my brothers? Peter answered them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you.” How have we heeded this call?
Blessed Easter! Jesus is Risen! He really did rise from the dead. The Resurrection is not merely a matter that is based only on faith. It is historic. It happened in time and space. Jesus really died, just like our ancestors, and like how we will die one day. But He also rose from the dead, really rose from the dead. Do you believe that?
Today the earth stood still. Our Lord’s body is in the tomb. He has gone to the land of the dead. We are told in the Apostle’s Creed that “He descended into Hell.” Have you ever thought about that? It was not enough that Jesus died, He descended into hell to destroy death once and for all. How awesome is that?
After Our Lord had been arrested and sentenced, we do not hear much from Him. Rather He remains relatively silent. This is His passion. It is a passivity, but not an idle one. This part of His life and ministry was one that was passive, one that was about what He allowed others to do to Him. His passion was what He suffered, what He permitted to be inflicted upon Himself for the sake of the Father’s will. Jesus’ passion was a ministry of silence.
In the final hours before Our Lord suffers His passion, He chooses to eat the Passover with His disciples. On one hand, showing His faithfulness to the Jewish customs in remembering God’s saving work in the lives of the ancestors and on the other hand, bringing it to fulfillment. The Passover meal foreshadows the Last Supper, the Institution of the Eucharist. Just as the blood of a year-old unblemished lamb on their doorposts signaled the Angel of the Death to pass over their door and spare the first born of those within the house, so too, in the fullness of time, the blood of the True Lamb, the Lamb of God shed on the wood of the Cross saved and continues to save the people from their sin and from death.
Judas was one of the Twelve chosen, hand-picked by the Lord to walk with Him, be with Him, and witness all the works He would do and hear all the words He would speak. Jesus offered unto Judas a friendship, an intimate relationship, but that wasn’t enough for him. He wanted something else, something more tangible.
What a chilling verse of Scripture, “Satan entered him.” Judas had planned to betray Our Lord. Judas’ action was not one of those “on the spur of the moment,” last minute nervous decisions. He knew what he was doing — handing over his Teacher, friend, and Lord. And when approached by the Lord at the Last Supper, Judas remained silent, took the dipped morsel from Jesus’ hand, and left. This departure from Christ was the moment Satan entered him.
In the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we find four “Suffering Servant” songs where this mysterious servant speaks and God speaks to him. God seemingly calls this servant for a special mission, one that when reading today seems strangely familiar. “Set you as a covenant of the people.” Jesus is the new and everlasting covenant, by whose blood we have been redeemed. Jesus Christ is this Suffering Servant.
As our Lord prepared to make His final trip into the city of Jerusalem, He knew the hour for Him was quickly approaching. His hour has indeed come, the hour to fulfill and complete His Father’s will, the hour to bridge the divide between heaven and earth, the hour to conquer once and for all sin and death. All this He will do not by fighting or shouting, but rather by suffering in silence.
When Jesus taught that if one were to keep His Word, they would not see death. The Jews listening found that absurd to the point that they said Jesus was possessed! They could not wrap their heads around the fact that someone could live forever and never die. But, can we blame them?
After God had led the Israelites out of Egypt, freeing them from slavery, they complained and resented God instead of being grateful. They even wished they were back in Egypt! This may sound absurd to us. Why would someone who was once a slave, now freed, want to go back into slavery? It doesn’t make sense, but we’d be surprised how often we might even do this ourselves.
In the Gospel we are presented with the incident where a woman was caught in the very act of adultery, and the Pharisees have seized the woman and is about to carry out the consequence that such an act warranted: stoning. In an attempt to test Jesus, they asked Him what they should should do for the Law of Moses said to stone her. Jesus' initial response was silence.
How true is it that the good suffer while the evil seemingly thrive and succeed. Perhaps we have seen this in the world around us or maybe even in our own personal lives. But the Lord reminds us that He is close to the brokenhearted and that although the just man has many troubles, from them all the Lord will deliver him. The Lord will, but perhaps not now because it may not yet be the hour.
The Israelites whom the Lord freed from slavery to the Egyptians found themselves in cycles of sin and reconciliation while in the wilderness and in the land promised to them, and because of their own choices they fell to the Babylonians and went into captivity. There they felt abandoned and forgotten by God. But we know that can’t be the case.
Have you ever been in a situation where what at first seemed obvious turned out to have several more layers to it? For example, a young child at school is not paying attention in class and does not get much work done. One of the first thoughts might be “This kid is lazy. He just wants to play.” Perhaps there is more to the story.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as “Laetare Sunday,” similar to “Gaudete Sunday” during Advent. It is a reminder and an invitation to rejoice in the midst of the penitential season of Lent. Why are we to rejoice during Lent? Shouldn’t we be solemn and steadfast in our practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving? Yes, but for what? We are solemn and penitential not just because it is “what we do.” We observe this penitential season for a reason, a reason that ultimately leads us to joy.
As mentioned in a previous entry, feast days are usually not celebrated as such during Lent except generally for two solemnities that occur during the Lenten Season: St. Joseph and today, the Annunciation of the Lord. Although very commonly mistaken, this solemnity is not about Mary being conceived but rather the day when Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.
We make many decisions on a daily basis, such as what to drink, what to eat, what clothes to wear, and how to respond to questions and situations. There are also decisions about certain moments in our lives, i.e. what to do at this moment, and then there are those decisions that we must make that dictate how we live our lives. We must choose a side.
Recently I have heard of more and more people working on “family history” projects or ancestry/family tree projects where people use programs and services to learn more about their family tree and ancestors and compile them into a neat collection so the current and future generations might come to know their history. The Israelites were asked to do the same.
When we see someone on the street who may be dressed sloppily or someone on the subway wearing dirty sneakers with holes in them along with a torn t-shirt, what do we think to ourselves? Do we find ourselves judging them? If we are honest, I think most of us at some point in our lives have done something like that, either in thought or in action. We’ve judged others. We’ve discounted them. We’ve discounted God.
There in Sychar, Samaria at Jacob’s well, Jesus sat down to rest and the Samaritan woman went to draw water. It was at the well that the encounter between God and man, Jews and Gentiles took place. It was there that all barriers started to break. In asking for a drink of water, Jesus was also offering a drink to the woman. Jesus was offering something that would satiate the her deepest thirst.
Because of the nature of the penitential season of Lent, the Church does not usually celebrate the feasts and memorials of the Saints during Lent. However, there are two important days that usually fall during Lent that breaks this “rule.” The Annunciation of Our Lord and one other day: the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the foster father of Jesus. Why does St. Joseph have this prominent place in the life of the Church?
When we think about the things we depend on or the things we really place our hope in, what are they? Is the place of our hope something or someone? Can this place of our hope change or fail us? As human beings we sometimes place our hope in tangible things, grasping onto them as objects of security. But those things may change. And when those things change or go away, so too will the hope that we placed in them. Life without hope is not life, it is only an attempt at survival. Where then do our hope lie?
When the Prophet Jeremiah preached repentance and told the people the things that will happen, they were not happy. So much so that they plotted against Him. Have you ever been in a similar situation? What does Jeremiah’s life tell us about the Christian life?
Perhaps we have all heard the famous saying, “practice what you preach.” What does that mean? Jesus was telling the people that the scribes and the Pharisees were indeed teaching good things and preaching important messages. But they were not putting them to practice in their own lives. Keep reading for the full reflection.
On this Second Sunday of Lent the Church proclaims, hears, and ponders Luke’s account of the Transfiguration, where the Father spoke from the cloud affirming Jesus’ identity. But, the Father also spoke to Peter, John, and James, and He speaks to us today the same message and command: “Listen to Him.” What does this mean for us?
Even after Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, fed the multitudes, and raised the dead, the people still did not want to believe Jesus was the Messiah. When the people asked for a sign, Jesus said no sign will be given except that of the sign of Jonah. What did He mean by that? What are the implications for us today?
On this First Sunday of Lent we are presented with the Temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. The enemy tempts Jesus with three temptations, each reflecting something that appeals to our human nature. It is something supernatural that overcomes those temptations. On our own we cannot defeat the enemy, but with God, the defeat has already been made.
Today we begin the first week in Ordinary Time and we are presented with the beginning of the Book of the Samuel and the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee which includes the proclamation of the Kingdom and the calling of the first disciples. Why might we be presented with these readings on this first day in Ordinary Time? Keep reading for the full reflection.
The Baptism of the Lord, January 9, 2022
Baptism is the sacrament through which original sin is washed away and through which one is made new and become children of God. Although Jesus had no sin and did not need to be made into the family of God, He was baptized. Why? Keep reading for the full reflection.
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Saturday after Epiphany, January 8, 2022
“What is the job and responsibility of the best man? Someone who is right there with the groom. A trusted brother and a faithful friend. He helps prepare the groom for his big day, but not only that, he is with him on his big day and continues to remain with him afterwards. In other words, the best man is one who has the groom’s back and who supports him in any way he is able to. The best man knows that he is not the star of the day; he knows it is all about the bride and the groom. St. John the Baptist refers to himself as the best man of the Bridegroom, Christ.” Keep reading for the full reflection.
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Friday after Epiphany, January 7, 2022
Upon healing the leper from his leprosy Jesus told him to not tell anyone, but instead we are told that news about this spread wide and far to the point where everyone started to come to Jesus to listen to Him and to be healed. But Jesus withdrew to deserted places to pray. Why did He do that? Why didn’t Jesus stay and teach and heal the people instead? Keep reading for the full reflection.
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When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus said that it is to love God, but it doesn’t stop there. In loving God something else must necessarily follow. Jesus said the second is like the first: to love your neighbor as yourself. In other words, we cannot love God and not love our neighbors. That’s it. It’s short and simple. But as we know from experience not as quick and easy to live out. So what’s keeping us from loving God and loving our neighbors? Keep reading for the full reflection.
Memorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop
We often hear it said that “perfect love casts out all fear.” But honestly, how many of us can say we love perfectly? This perfect love has nothing really to do with us but rather it has everything to do with God. God is Love, and He is perfect Love, and He has loved us with this love. But, what’s the point of this? God is love, great, and He loves us, wonderful. If it has everything to do with God, what does it have to do with us? Keep reading for the full reflection.
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Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
“It is God who has first loved us, and any loving we give back or give to others is our response to the gift of God’s love. In others word, God’s love is the First Love, and He is Love itself. St. John tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son so that we might be saved from our sins. Love leads to action and oftentimes that action leads to sacrifice, but it doesn’t end there. Because sacrifice leads to life.” Keep reading for the full reflection.
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Monday after Epiphany, January 3, 2022
St. John encourages the people to not trust every spirit because not every one of them is from God. I think we can relate to this in our own lives. Sometimes when we are faced with a situation we might have a gut feeling that something’s not right and that it should not be happening in that way. We have an internal moral radar, one that leads us towards good and away from evil (our conscience) and we must use it along with the grace of God to “test the spirits.” But how? Keep reading for the full reflection.
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The Epiphany of the Lord, January 2, 2022
Today we celebrate the visit of the Magi to the newborn King. The word “epiphany” really means “manifestation of God to man.” So today we really celebrate the manifestation of God to not just the Jewish people, but to all peoples of all nations as represented by the Magi. God has come close to us so that we might dare to draw close to Him. And it was upon a star that the Magi wondered and which led them to Christ. What was so special about that star? Keep reading for the full reflection.
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Eighth Day within the Octave of Christmas, Solemnity of the Mary, Mother of God, January 1, 2022
Happy New Year! Today the Church celebrates the final day of the Octave of Christmas and also Mary, who is the Mother of God. Although most Catholics don’t think twice about it, how can we say that Mary is the Mother of God? This has been a topic of dispute for a long time in the Church’s history. That is why for non-Catholics, it seems as if Catholics worship Mary, but that is not the case. Worship is due to God alone, but Catholics do venerate and honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus. So, who is Mary? Keep reading for the full reflection.
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Seventh Day within the Octave of Christmas, December 31, 2021
As we come to the end of this year, we reflect upon this past year. How has our journey of faith been? In his letter, St. John speaks of the “last hour” in which antichrists are luring the people away from God. There are antichrists in our world today, but sometimes they disguise themselves in ways that are pleasing to us. If today was the end of time and Jesus was to come again, will we be ready? Keep reading for the full reflection.
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Fifth Day within the Octave of Christmas, December 29, 2021
When Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple they encounter Simeon who has been awaiting the Savior, the Messiah. Upon seeing the Child, Simeon praises God with the words we pray at night prayer, the “Canticle of Simeon.” He also tells Mary some troubling news about Jesus and about her. There is a promise of contradiction and suffering. But this suffering is not without meaning or worth. As human beings we suffer, but as Christians we also know that our suffering is not just simply “a part of life.” There’s something more to it. Keep reading for the full reflection.
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“I forgot when exactly it was when I adapted the tradition of drawing a cross with ‘JMJ’ under it on the top of every piece of paper I write on, but it is something that reminds me that whatever I am doing or writing, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are with me, and that all that I think, write, and ultimately do should reflect that which binds the Holy Family together: love.” Keep reading for the full reflection.
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, December 25, 2021
Merry Christmas! Today we celebrate the day Our Lord and Savior entered into our world and took on our human flesh to save us from the flesh. He did so in a quiet way, in fact in a way that no one would expect a King to be born. Our God chose to enter into human history in the form an innocent, vulnerable baby in a stable amidst animals. Today, on Christmas Day, our God gave us the most precious gift anyone could ever give: Himself.
Merry Christmas!
When Hannah prayed fervently for a son in the Temple the priest thought she was drunk! Hannah explained she was praying for a son and Eli told her to go home and that the Lord hears her prayers. Hannah soon conceived, bore a son, and she named him “Samuel.” One might think after this, Hannah would go and give thanks to the Lord and then bring her son home and take care of him and raise him and hold him close by her side. But, instead, Hannah dedicates Samuel to the Lord and places him in the Temple. Why did she do this?
Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Advent, which means that Christmas is only days away. The Scriptures give us the prophecy of a future ruler by Micah and the Gospel recounts the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. Keep reading to explore and reflect on the inter-relationship of today’s readings.
Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, December 12, 2021
Today the Church celebrates the Third Sunday of Advent, commonly known as “Gaudete Sunday.” The word gaudere comes from the Latin meaning “to rejoice.” Why does the Church invite us to stop and rejoice today? What is it that makes us rejoice?
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When blind Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by he went from begging to shouting, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Despite being shoved aside and pushed down by the crowd he yelled out all the more. Jesus hears him and talks with Him. He even makes him see. But what does this have to do with our spiritual life?
Would you like to be wise? Are you wise? In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul says that whoever claims to be wise is actually a fool. Why is that? Is wisdom then not good? What does it mean then to be wise?
What are the things that keep us going? What is our motivation in life? In the Gospel, the rich young man approaches Jesus and asks Him what he must do to “inherit eternal life.” Perhaps inheriting eternal life was the rich young man’s motivation, which is great, but something wasn’t right. Something wasn’t there. What could it be?
Today we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary was no stranger to pain and suffering. She was human after all! Bring your hurt and your sufferings to Mary so that she can bring them to Jesus, her Son. Although it may feel like it sometimes, we are never alone on this journey. Mary wants to journey with you. Will you let her?
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. We celebrate the Cross. Why? Isn’t it a reminder of the horrible death Jesus died? As Christians we are an Easter people, and the Cross is much more than a tool of execution. What is so special about the Cross?
“Faith without works is dead,” St. James tells us. But how can that be? Isn’t saying “I believe” and going to Church every Sunday enough to earn our seat among the saints in heaven? In the Gospel Jesus speaks about the cross and what His followers must do to truly follow Him. Faith, works, and the Cross are intimately bound and are inseparable from one another. How so? What does this mean for me?
When a deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to Him, Jesus took the man, prayed, touched him, and healed him. On the surface this may seem like a very straightforward healing miracle, but each action and part of the “process” may tell us something more. Jesus said to the man “Be opened!” What may this healing miracle trying to tell us and teach us?
The Psalmist sings that God Himself is his help? What exactly does this mean? Is God simply a helper? Who is God to you?
Is religion and faith the same thing? What does the word “religion” really mean? For some it may be a set of rules that lead people to happiness and right living. For others it may be belief in a higher power that determines one’s destiny. But, what does the Christian believe? What is religion and faith to you?
“What’s love got to do with it?” Everything! St. Paul tells the Thessalonians to grow in love, to love deeper, and to love truer. St. Augustine, who we celebrate today, came to realize this when he turned from his wayward ways and to the Lord. “Late have I loved you,” he famously said. What does it mean to truly love?
If it was the end of the world and the Lord came to you, would you be ready? If not, why? What are some of the things that make us answer “No?” As Christians we are called to love and to be holy and to never give up, especially in the midst of hardships. St. Monica never gave up on praying for her son, that one day he might find Jesus. Do you know what happened?
What is your heart filled with? Maybe it is a combination of things, some good and some bad. St. Paul tells the Thessalonians that they must “abound in love” and that this love must extend to all peoples. Do our hearts abound with love? What does this really mean? Does it mean we need to be nice to everyone? But, does being nice someone necessarily mean we love them?
When Jesus taught about the Christian life, some of those who were following Him felt discouraged and stopped following Him. Jesus asked the Apostles if they wanted to do the same. Following Our Lord is not always easy and I think we have all experienced that in some way. We have two choices, follow the Lord or follow the world. There is no in between. As Christians we must follow the Lord in this world. What does this following mean?
Each one of us has been called by God and sent forth by Him on a special mission. We have each been called to a particular vocation. But we also have a common vocation. We are called to holiness. We are are called and sent forth to bear Christ to others. Gideon was a judge who was unsure about what God has asked him to do — to save the Israelites. What do you think he said? What does this have to do with us today?
Today we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the Mother of God was taken into heaven body and soul. This is not some pious belief or feel-good legend. It is a dogma, a belief that the Church defines and holds to be revealed by God. Some people may choose to dissect this dogma and say “Where’s the proof? Where is it in the Bible?” but if we focus too much on that we will lose the sense of wonder and awe that ought to captivate us. What does this great Solemnity teach us about our lives as Christian disciples?
Although Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, he himself was never able to cross into the Promised Land. Many people often speculate what Moses did wrong that God punished him in this way. But that is not the main point here. What do you think this seeming failure may really mean and what does it mean for us?
What does the word “wealth” or “treasure” mean to you? What is your wealth or treasure? Today the Church remembers and celebrates the life and witness of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr. He was put in charge of the property of the Church in a time when the Church was being persecuted by the Romans. And so, the Romans arrested the Pope and some other deacons and they asked Lawrence to gather all the treasures of the Church and to surrender them. Lawrence asked for some time to do this, and they granted it to him. What do you think happened?
Moses tells the people to be friendly and kind to foreigners because the once were foreigners themselves. Isn’t this true for us to? Although many of us may be citizens of this country, but we are still foreigners. What do I mean? As Christians, our true home is in heaven, so we are foreigners here in this world. Who are the “aliens” in our lives who may need some help? And how can we help them? May we never forget that we too were recipients of other’s help.
Have you ever felt at your wits’ end and wanted to give up? The Prophet Elijah felt similar way when he had to run and hide for fear of his life for doing good. Yet in the midst of all this, God ministers to him, and He provides for him. Sometimes when we feel overwhelmed we are unable to see all the God is doing in our lives, but the truth is that He is always working for our good.
In the First Reading today we read the ancient prayer, the “Shema,” which is what Moses said to the people to remind them of who God was, who they were, and how they should live. Many people who are not Christians might believe and think that the Church is just trying to control our lives with all these “rules;” but as people of faith we know that the opposite is true. Read on to see how this ancient prayer relates to us today.
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord when Jesus brought Peter, James, and John up the mountain. The Apostles got to see some pretty important people and actually heard the voice of God Himself. They experienced a “theophany.” God manifested Himself in a way that the Apostles could experience. What did the Apostles do with this experience? What would you do if you were on that mountain with them? Read on for the full reflection.
Different people thought Jesus was either John the Baptist, Elijah, or some other prophet. Jesus asked Peter who did he think He was. Peter gave an amazingly brilliant confession that can only come about by a deep knowledge of the Other. Only someone who knows another deeply can be able to articulate who that person is in a way that is true. How does one come to this point?
Today we celebrate St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. He spent over 10 hours a day hearing confessions and being and bringing Christ to the people of Ars. We are told that he had the gift of reading hearts. Of his many sayings, I chose this to reflect upon: “God looks neither at long nor beautiful prayers, but at those that come from the heart.” What does this mean? Am I trying to say that rote prayers like the “Our Father” or the “Hail Mary” are not good? Far from it. “From the heart” is the key here. Read on for the full reflection. St. John Vianney, pray for us!
When Peter tried to walk on water towards Jesus, he saw the waves and felt the wind and grew scared, and so he began to sink and drown. At that he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Of course Jesus did, but what might Peter’s experience teach us about our own lives and relationship with the Lord?
When the Israelites saw the manna, they were not impressed. In fact they wanted to go back to Egypt where they enjoyed fish and other foods! Would you trade in slavery for some delicious food? In the same way, would you trade in slavery to sin for some temporary pleasure? Back to the manna. They needed to work with the manna to produce food. God provided the ingredients, but the Israelites needed to work for food. They complained. How often do we complain when things don’t seemingly go to plan or when prayers seemingly go unanswered? Can we see the hand of God even in those situations? When God gives us the grace, do we cooperate with it?
When the Israelites were led out of Egypt, they complained about everything. When they asked about food, God gave them manna and quail. This manna was bread from heaven, which is a prefigurement to Jesus who is the True Bread from heaven, bread that sustains and gives life. However, there were specific directions for gathering the manna — get enough only for that day. Why do you think that is? What does this mean for us?
Mary Magdalene was not always a follower of Jesus. In fact she was someone who would be the opposite of a follower of Christ. But, isn’t that for whom Jesus said He had come? How did Mary Magdalene come to be a follower of Christ and now even honored on her very own feast day?
As Christians we are called to evangelize and bring Christ to others, and we ought to take this to heart. However, sometimes when we see that our efforts, teaching, or faith-sharing do not seem to be taking root in those around us, we may begin to question ourselves and our work. But, I challenge you with this: “It’s not really you who are doing this and it’s not really about your efforts and works.” What do I mean?
When told that His family was outside, Jesus did not respond in the way that we might. Instead of going out to greet them when He got the news, He stayed where He was and asked “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Jesus gave them the classic answering a question with a question, but He then answered this question for them. What do you think He said and what does it have to do with us?
Have you ever felt that you just need some “me time?” Or when you finally have a day off or some time to yourself, something comes up and your free time is suddenly not that free anymore? I challenge you this week to seek not for “me time” but for “alone time.” What do I mean? Keep reading to find out!
Today the Church celebrates the Chinese Martyrs, St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions. These martyrs were all faithful sheep of the Good Shepherd. What does it mean to be sheep? We are called to be sheep, but do we listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd or do we listen rather to the voices of the wolves? Or worse yet, have we become those wolves in this world who draw others away from God?
How would you react if you ran into someone who really hurt you in the past? Would you turn away and avoid that person? Would you confront them? What would you say or do? When Joseph saw his brothers, who sold him into slavery, again, he did not lash out at them or make them feel bad. Instead he reminded them briefly of what they had done to him, comforted them, and even helped them. But Joseph also said something very interesting. What do you think he said?
The story of Joseph is one that tugs at the heart. After being sold into slavery, Joseph ended up in Egypt, and against all odds he became second in command to the Pharaoh. At the heart of this tragedy we can see the hand of God and His promise. How so? And how does Jesus fit into this? How does this relate to us today?
When asked if we believe in God, we may naturally and enthusiastically answer “Yes!” But, do we really? Do we believe even when things do not look good? Do we trust even in the midst of our struggles and challenges? When faced with death and uncertainty, do our hope and faith still stand unshaken? The synagogue official Jairus and the woman who suffered with hemorrhages for 12 years approached Jesus in their desperation, but they did so with faith and hope, not merely wishing but knowing that Jesus could help them. How about us? How deep is our faith?
In the Old Testament we read that God sent prophets to lead the people back on the right path, and in the New Testament we read that God sent His only begotten Son to save us and to draw us closer to Himself. At every moment God comes to us. In the sacraments, yes, but also in the person next to us. God constantly sends people into our lives for us to see, experience, and practice His love. Do we recognize those moments? Do we encounter God in those around us? Do we see how God is acting in our lives?
Forgiveness is something that is at the core of the Christian life and of Jesus’ very own teaching. In His teaching on prayer, Jesus emphasized that we will not be forgiven if we do not forgive others. This is one of the only times when there is a stipulation such as this. Why is forgiveness so important? Why is it and lack of forgiveness so powerful?
How do you give? Do you give for the sake of giving or do you give for some other reason? In other words, do you give to get something in return? To truly give we must give cheerfully and freely, without the need to be given anything in return.
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, June 15, 2021
Jesus tells His disciples to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors. It sounds crazy, but that is what Jesus said and it is consistent with the mission of the Son of God. But why should we do it? Why should we love those who disrespect us and pray for those who ridicule us? Just because Jesus says so? No, there has to be more.
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While Jesus’ Most Sacred Heart was physically pierced and bled for love of us by the lance of the soldier, Mary’s Immaculate Heart was similarly pierced by a sword as she pondered and kept all things in her heart. It is the blood of the Sacred Heart that washes us, cleanses us, and makes our hearts new, and it is the Immaculate Heart that teaches us how to follow and love Jesus. Read the full reflection for more.
“My heart is overwhelmed.” Perhaps if it were us who had said this, it would be because something was weighing on our hearts and anxiety and stress have overcome us. But if God said this — and He did and does — it means something very different. Today we celebrate the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the heart that was pierced for love of us. Jesus’ heart was and is overwhelmed not because of the weight of our sins. If not that, then what?
Some may think and feel that God is very distant and far away, and perhaps somewhere in the sky, beyond the clouds and outer space. But in reality God is much closer to us. So close that He became one of us.
Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of St. Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor
June 9, 2021
Have you ever mistaken someone’s good intentions for something bad, only later finding out the truth? Jesus was seen as a threat by the Jewish leaders because of what and how He taught. Little did they know that instead of abolishing God’s Law, He was really fulfilling it.
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Jesus told His disciples that they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. What could that meant? How can we be salt?
Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, June 7, 2021
Today we hear about Jesus going up the mountain to teach His disciples and to give them the Beatitudes. Mountains are important places in the Scriptures. Moses went up a mountain, and Jesus went up a mountain. How do the two relate?
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It may have come as a shock to the people when Jesus said that the poor widow’s contribution of two small coins was greater than the contributions of those who gave much more. For the widow gave from her whole livelihood. We are not asked to give beyond our means, but we are asked to give from the depths of our hearts.
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Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
When a Scribe asked Jesus which commandment is the first among them all, Jesus said it was love of God, not just in speech but with one’s entire being. Unlike other encounters with Jewish officials, this scribe was genuine, and so Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” For St, Charles Lwanga and his companions, God came first in their lives to the point of sacrificing their own lives. What are your priorities? Who or what is first among all of them?
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Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, June 2, 2021
What do you do or who do you turn to when you are at your wits’ end? Tobit and Sarah prayed that God take their lives. Sarah was also planning on doing something tragic, but something made her change her mind. God heard their cries of suffering and sent healing. God hears us, listens to us, and loves us. Hang in there. Listen or read below for the full reflection.
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Memorial of St. Justin Martyr, June 1, 2021
St. Justin Martyr was a Christian apologist who was beheaded for defending the Catholic faith against the pagans. All his life he searched for the truth and he found it in Jesus. He listened to the voice of God, to the voice of the One to whom he belonged, all the way to the end. In the eyes of the Romans, Justin and Christianity were defeated and put to death, but in truth, Justin rose victorious. Listen to or read the full reflection below.
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Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, May 31, 2021
What would you say or do if I told you that God is coming to your house today? Well He is. In fact, He comes to you everyday. After she was told she would be the mother of Jesus, Mary went to visit Elizabeth who was also pregnant. But, it was really God who went to Elizabeth. How so? Read or listen for more.
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Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 30, 2021
Today we celebrate Trinity Sunday, when we come to see and experience of God’s love. We hear of the “Great Commission,” the final words and instructions of Jesus to the disciples. What does He say? What does it have to do with us? Listen or read to find out.
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Memorial of Pope Saint Paul VI, May 29, 2021
Today the Church remembers Pope St. Paul VI, an advocate for the preservation of the sanctity of human life. As humans, I think we all want to be happy in this life, but we must be in touch with the source of this happiness to do so. Our lives are precious and sacred because it is a gift from God, yes, but why? Listen or read to find out.
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Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, May 28, 2021
When the Apostles saw that the fig tree had withered, they were amazed, but Jesus challenged them to think deeper. Instead of being amazed or surprised that the fig tree had indeed withered, they were invited to a deeper trust in God and relationship with Him (so that they won’t wither). For faith and prayer can do much greater things. Listen or read for the full reflection.
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Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, May 27, 2021
When Bartimaeus called out to Jesus others tried to drown him out. But he didn’t give up. He kept calling out to Jesus and eventually Jesus calls him. Jesus asks him what he would like for Him to do for him. Bartimaeus wants to see. What do you think Jesus does? And what does that mean for us? Listen or read on to find out.
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Memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest, May 26, 2021
The Apostles James and John asked Jesus for a favor: to sit at His right and left. This was right after Jesus talked about what would happen to Him in Jerusalem. They wanted to share in Jesus’ glory when He would fulfill the role of the Messiah that the Jews had envisioned - a military leader who would free from the Romans. Jesus’ life showed that He was not that type of Messiah, but rather one who came to serve and not be served. As His disciples and followers we are called to do the same. Read or listen for the full reflection.
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Tuesday of the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time
Memorial of St. Bede the Venerable
Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. Perhaps the Apostles at some point began to wonder what their sacrifices of leaving home and family might all be for and whether it’s worth it. Maybe we can relate to this. Our lives are not easy and without struggles. But we believe in Jesus. Shouldn’t our lives be at least somewhat “easier?” Listen to the reflection for more.
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Mary, Mother of the Church, May 24, 2021
Today the Church celebrates Mary as the Mother of the Church. Pope Francis inserted this memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the liturgical calendar 2018 to be the day after Pentecost Sunday. It is the perfect place as the Apostles was praying and staying with Mary after Jesus ascended into Heaven, waiting for the Holy Spirit. We are reminded that Mary is always with us, for us, and prays for us. She loves you, and she will lead you to her Son.
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Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021
Today the Church celebrates Pentecost Sunday — the “Birthday of the Church.” It is referred to as such because on that day the Holy Spirit came upon the people and gave them the grace and the courage to go and proclaim the Good News. We were also told that on that day 3000 people were baptized. Although this Pentecost Sunday happened a little short of 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit still comes to us today. Listen or read on to see why this day is so special.
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Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 22, 2021
As a child (or maybe even now!) have you ever compared yourself with others, whether with regards to possessions, freedom to do as one pleases, or skills and abilities? My mom always told me well you’re not them. After being told what would happen to him, St. Peter asked Jesus about St. John’s fate. What do you think Jesus said?
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Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 21, 2021
This is perhaps one of the most touching scenes in John’s Gospel. After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared several times to His disciples. Here on the shore Jesus was preparing breakfast and invited the Apostles to join Him. After eating, Jesus spoke with Peter. We probably expected Jesus to ask Peter, “What happened? Why did you leave and deny me like that?” but instead Jesus asked him, “Do you love me?” Jesus offers an invitation to reflect on who we are, who He is, and why we are here.
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Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 20, 2021
Has someone ever told you “God will provide” when you are worrying about something? Or maybe you yourself offered this “word of advice” to someone? Have you ever really thought about those words or have they become so routine that it comes automatically? Those couple of words “God provides” actually says a whole lot. To me, I think it is really a statement of faith. St. Paul believed that God will provide. Do you? What does it mean to you?
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Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 19, 2021
From the earliest beginnings of the Church, there has always been the threat of division and separation. We can see this in the Great Schism of 1054 when the Eastern Christian Churches broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and also later in the Protestant Reformation, resulting in the numerous denominations of Christianity. Even to this day there remain threats to the communion and unity that Jesus prayed for us. How can we tell who are the wolves?
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Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 18, 2021
If you knew that a certain decision will lead to hardships, would you go through with it? Now, of course I am not talking about obvious decisions that lead to danger like choosing to walk off a cliff or crossing the street when you clearly see a truck coming towards you at high speed. The decisions I am referring to are those that pulls on the heartstrings, tugs at the heart, and boggle the conscience. The decision of standing up for what is right and pursuing the truth. How should we go about these decisions? Listen or read for more.
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Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 17, 2021
Troubles and trials are inescapable parts of the human life. Despite how much we may wish those difficulties could be eliminated, we know that they don’t go away. God doesn’t wave a wand and the troubles go away. Jesus lived in the world and had His share of troubles. We also live in the world and will have our share. But we will have Jesus with us. Listen to the audio for the full reflection.
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Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 16, 2021
At the Last Supper, during the final hours of His life on earth, Jesus prays. He speaks to the Father — not for Himself but for His disciples, for us. He asks His Father to preserve us to keep us safe so that we may be one just as He and the Father are one. Jesus wants us to share in the Divine Life, that which is Love. But, how can we do that now? Listen to the audio and read the entry for the full reflection.
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Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter, May 15, 2021
Memorial of St. Isidore
When we are baptized, we do not suddenly know absolutely everything about our faith. It is called a journey of faith for a reason. It’s a journey and on this journey we experience a series of encounters — with the Lord and with one another. If we say we know all about God then we really do not know much! We can never really know all about God — He is eternal and infinite. There is always something more that we come to learn about God and our relationship with Him. Our faith is not simply a set of beliefs or rules, it is a journey of endless encounters that draw us ever deeper into the mystery of Love itself. Listen to the audio for the full reflection.
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Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle
Today the Church celebrates St. Matthias, the person chosen to fill the vacant office of Judas. The Apostles were very adamant that this person must have walked with them and Jesus from the very beginning — from the Baptism in the Jordan to the Ascension. The importance of “being” with Jesus is emphasized. Frankly, that’s the most important part of discipleship. In all this it was God who chose Matthias. God chooses you and me too. We are chosen by God for a particular mission. Let us embrace that chosenness.
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Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord, May 13, 2021
Sometimes it can be a temptation to think that Jesus got up and left when He ascended into Heaven. It may appear that way on the surface, but that’s really not the case. if Jesus did leave, why would He have told His disciples that He’d be with them always? Ascended does not mean “left.” When Jesus ascended He remained with us in a transformed way. Listen to the audio for the full reflection.
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Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter, May 12, 2021
For some people when they hear that word “God” they may think of some distant, far away being that is somewhere in the clouds who controls our fate and destiny. But we have no such god. Our God — the one, true God, is the One who knows us and loves us. He is a personal God, a relational God. Deep down man wants to be known and wanted. It is no coincidence that Our God is a God who knows us and loves us.
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Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter, May 11, 2021
Whose voice do we listen to? The voice of the world that tells us we must strive for immediate gratification and do whatever makes us happy and feel good? The voice of prosperity gospels convincing us that God will bless us only if we give a certain amount of money to them? Or, the voice of God who tells us that all we need to do is to believe in Him? We are bombarded by so many voices, whose will we heed? Read the full reflection below.
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Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter, May 10, 2021
Memorial of St. Damien of Molokai
God delights in you. God finds favor in you. God loves us. Oftentimes we look all over the place and in all the wrong places for love and affirmation, hoping that certain people or groups would accept us and make us one of their own, and so we change who we are. That is not love. They love not you, but what you have changed to become. But God loves you as you are — the good, the bad, and the ugly. St. Damien of Molokai spent the final years of his life ministering to lepers, the outcast of society. He delighted in them. God delighted in them. God delights us even in our own leprosy.
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Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 9, 2021
We often hear of people loving, feeling love, feeling loved, experiencing love as if love is a thing, feeling, or concept. Yes, to our human nature and experience it may be all those things, but in its essence, Love is a Person. Love is God. Jesus Christ is love. Let’s try to know Love so that this Love may truly be in us, and we in Him.
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Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter, May 8, 2021
Who and what people associate themselves with usually gives them a certain “name,” notoriety, or characteristic. As it was in the Apostle’s time, so in our time today, being associated with Christ brings about the risk of being misunderstood, hated, and persecuted. This is because the ways of the world are so radically different from the Truth. Are you willing to be associated with Christ in this present age? Read the full reflection at the link below.
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Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter, May 7, 2021
Jesus told His disciples to “love one another.” He didn’t just tell them, He showed them. He willingly laid down His life for them and for us. To truly love is to want to good of the other, even if it will cost us. Read or listen more about this love in the reflection.
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Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter, May 6, 2021
Distinctions are not always bad but we make them bad. They can be used to highlight the goodness and uniqueness of something or someone, but yet we choose to use it to cause separation. At the Council of Jerusalem, it was taught that God made no distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles. What does this mean for us today?
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Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter, May 5, 2021
What immediately comes to mind when you hear the word “glorify?” Maybe you think about people bowing down to a superior being who if they do not worship will strike them down. Jesus tells us something very different about His Father, Our God -— He is glorified when we bear fruit. What? Read or listen to find out what this means.
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Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter, May 4, 2021
What are we willing to suffer for? Who are we willing to suffer for? St. Paul was stoned and left to die because He kept talking about someone he loved and was in love with — Jesus. St. Paul was in love with Jesus and the Gospel, are we? If we say we are, are we willing to die for Him? To be in love does not mean to be romantically interested, but rather in love with Love itself — God. Is Jesus and the Gospel worth the pain to us?
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Feast of Saints Philip and James, May 3, 2021
Sometimes we need reminders about the things that have become routine in our lives, and unfortunately sometimes one of those “things” is our faith. St. Paul reminded the people who they were and who Jesus was and what He did for them. In the Gospel of John, Jesus told Thomas that He is the way, and the truth, and the life and reminded Philip that if anyone sees Him, they see the Father too. God gives us many of these “friendly reminders” throughout the day, but do we see them?
Sts. Philip and James, pray for us!
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Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 2, 2021
Were you ever denied a second chance or were misunderstood or not believed in when you tried to make things right? How often do we look upon others and judge others from our biases, and not looking at others objectively, seeing not the heart but only the appearance? Saul experienced this. No one believed him, but that didn’t stop him from believing and preaching. How do we react in the face of adversity?
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Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker, May 1, 2021
Today Beloved Son Ministry turns one! One year ago all this was started as an effort to evangelize while in quarantine and in the midst of the pandemic restrictions. One year later, the pandemic is still here, but the people seem to be better. Today we celebrate St. Joseph the Worker who worked tirelessly to provide for Mary and Jesus. We know that we can turn to him to bring our prayers to Jesus, because Jesus will never refuse his prayers.
St. Joseph, pray for us!
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Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter, April 30, 2021
Is there something weighing on your mind or heart right now? Is there something that is causing you to be anxious and worried? Jesus says to you, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Jesus wants to wash over all of those burdens and sources of stress and pain with His peace and love. He wants to, but will you let Him?
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Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church, April 29, 2021
Memories have powerful effects. Sometimes they paralyze us and sometimes they move us to do better. In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul speaks to the people, reminding them of their history and how God has really been with them and worked in their lives all this time. Do we see how God has worked in our lives?
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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter, April 27, 2021
It was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. What is so special about this name? What does it say about us? About the Person whose namesake it is?
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Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, April 26, 2021
When Peter was at Joppa he saw a vision and heard a voice telling him, “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.” Peter then proceeded to travel to Caesarea and entered the home of non-Jewish family. While there he prayed, and something amazing happened. This was a major turning point. Listen or click below to find out what happened.
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Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 25, 2021
Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter or Good Shepherd Sunday. We hear about Jesus who is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. Jesus ran towards the pain so that those whom He loved and loves will be saved.
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Saturday of the Third Week of Easter, April 24, 2021
Despite the persecutions, the inspired author tells us that the Church was at peace. How is this possible? With Christians being imprisoned and killed, how can the author say that the Church was at peace? What does being at peace mean? Click on the link below to listen to or read to find out.
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Friday of the Third Week of Easter, April 23, 2021
When Saul gets knocked off his horse, he asked whose voice it was that spoke to him. It was Jesus, and He was asking Paul why he was persecuting Him. But Paul never really persecutes Jesus Himself, so then what does Jesus mean? And what does this mean for us? Listen or click on the link below to find out.
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Thursday of the Third Week of Easter, April 22, 2021
Have you ever found yourself reading or studying something that you weren’t quite sure what the words on the page meant? No one is born knowing everything. Jesus needed to learn how to walk, talk, read, and everything else that we needed to learn. If there is a learner, there must be a teacher. And at the heart of this encounter between learner and teacher is Christ, the Master Teacher. Do we encounter Christ in the other, and do others encounter Christ in us?
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Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter, April 21, 2021
Soon after Stephen was martyred, severe persecution of the church began. We are told that “all were scattered.” But does this really mean what we think it means? Read below or listen to find out.
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Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter, April 20, 2021
After the multiplication of the loaves and feeding of the multitudes with only five loaves of bread and two fish, the crowd asked Jesus “What sign can you do so that we may believe in you?” If you are closed to something and have no desire or intention in believing in someone or something, no matter how much proof or evidence you may see, you will not believe. Faith does not need evidence. Evidence is for what is natural. Faith is supernatural. Read more at the link below.
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Third Sunday of Easter, April 18, 2021
When Our Lord appeared to the disciples in the upper room, they were terrified. They even thought He was a ghost. Why were they afraid? Were they guilty of something? Perhaps they knew that now that their Teacher was dead, the leaders would come for them next. Instead of being empowered by faith, the disciples were gripped by fear. Yet, in their fear the Lord goes to them. The Lord comes to us today, even in our shame and darkness. Let Him in.
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Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter, April 14, 2021
When the Apostles were locked up by the Jewish leaders, the angel of the Lord came and freed them and led them out. They were instructed to go and take their places and to “tell everyone everything about this life.” What life? The life of the beloved. The people today are told about the lies and false comforts of this worldly life. They need to hear about the truth and the true life — the life in Christ.
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Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter, April 13, 2021
As Christians we have been baptized into the one family of God. We must be of one mind and heart. What does that mean? Does it simply mean we ought to recite the same creed and celebrate the Mass and sacraments all over the world? Yes, but not just the actions. We must be one in mind and heart. Click below to read the full reflection.
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Monday of the Second Week of Easter, April 12, 2021
Today we have the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus in John’s Gospel where Nicodemus is trying to learn more about Jesus and all that He has been doing. Jesus tells Nicodemus something very fascinating - in order for anyone to see the Kingdom, he or she must be born from above. What does that mean? Jesus goes on to explain this. We who are baptized are born of water and spirit and not the flesh. The flesh dies and passes with the world, but the spirit does not. Do we live our lives as such? Click on the link for the full reflection.
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Second Sunday of Easter, April 11, 2021
When Jesus rose from the dead, He rose with His wounds. Why? Why would Jesus choose to rise with wounds? It is because of His wounds that we are here today. He comes to show us the power of wounds, and the importance of our woundedness. It is in our woundedness that Our Lord comes to meet us. Do not be afraid of your wounds. Embrace them and allow the Lord to bring life through them. Read the full reflection at the link below.
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Friday in the Octave of Easter, April 9, 2021
After encountering Jesus after He had risen from the dead, Peter announced, “I am going fishing.” Peter had decided to go back to his old job. Now that Jesus had died and rose from the dead and do not seem to be traveling with us physically anymore, maybe it was time to go back my old life, right? WRONG! Once we have come to know Jesus, our lives can never be the same again. Just as Peter needed to let go of the fish in his hand, what do we need to let go of in order to live the transformed life to which we have been called?
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Thursday in the Octave of Easter, April 9, 2021
Our world today is filled with everything but peace. The violence, the pandemic, the unrest. All filled with anxiety, fear, and hate. The world cannot give us peace. Any peace the world gives to us lasts only for a time. The peace that Jesus brings is one that lasts, endures, and prevails all. And what our world and our hearts need today is true peace, peace that prevails over hate and violence.
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Wednesday in the Octave of Easter, April 7, 2021
What are some things that block our eyes from seeing Christ? What are some things that prevent our hearts from believing? The gift of knowing Christ surpasses that of any other gift. Do you agree? When the disciples traveled to Emmaus, they encountered Jesus, but they could not recognize Him. Yet, when Jesus broke bread, their eyes were opened. Do we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread? Do we see Him in those with whom we break bread? If not, what are those obstacles that keep our hearts closed to Christ?
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Tuesday in the Octave of Easter, April 6, 2021
After encountering the Risen Christ Mary Magdalene ran and told the disciples about her encounter with Him. We can presume that some believed her and others didn’t. But did that stop her from sharing with others her encounter with the Lord? I don’t think so. Have we encountered the Lord? Do we share with others what this amazing Person has done for us?
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Monday in the Octave of Easter, April 5, 2021
After the guards witnessed what had happened at the tomb, they went to report it to the chief priests. But the chief priests gave them some money and instructed them to tell others that Jesus’ disciples came during the night and stole the body, and that there was no resurrection. They acted in fear. When one acts in fear, they cloud their conscience and live in the shadows. Only when we speak and act in truth will we be able to live in true freedom.
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Holy Saturday, April 3, 2021
The earth stood still this day. Jesus is dead. His corpse is in the tomb. But He is working hard. He has descended into Hell to break open those prison bars and to bring with Him all the righteous, leading them to Heaven. The earth may be still and quiet now, but in a short while, it will rumble because Jesus is on His way back up.
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Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, April 2, 2021
The difference between Jesus’ and Peter’s responses is but one word, but the consequences are drastic. One was said in truth, and the other in deceit. It takes courage to speak the truth, and sometimes it even results in deep pain and suffering, but it will always lead to freedom and to new life. However, if we choose to remain in the darkness, our fears and anxieties will only cause our shame and guilt to deepen, leading us to hopelessness and despair. Read the full reflection to see what that difference of a word is.
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Holy Thursday, April 1, 2021
At the night of the Last supper a series of events took place. At the heart of these events is the Mandatum. The giving of a new commandment, “to love one another as I [Christ] has loved you.” To follow Christ is to love, and to love is to serve, and to serve we must have received this commandment. We must first receive love in order to love. Have we? Today may be April’s Fool, but Holy Thursday was no joke. Our salvation depends on it.
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Wednesday of Holy Week, March 31, 2021
“What are you willing to give me?” was the question Judas asked the chief priests when he sought them out. He was willing to hand Jesus over for 30 pieces of silver when only a few days ago he was eyeing at the potential 300 days’ wages from the perfumed oil. Judas was not in it for the long haul. Are we? Will we settle for 30 pieces of silver and give up eternal life? Let’s resist in giving into the “chief priests” of the world and turn to our true High Priest, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself for us and our salvation.
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Tuesday of Holy Week, March 30, 2021
Imagine yourself sitting around a table with good friends after being told that something bad is going to happen and when it does, not only will you friends not stick by you, but will also flee, run away, and deny of even knowing you. Would you stay and enjoy that meal? How would you respond? You might confront them. You might ask them if things were to go down, would they run or would that stay by your side. They assured you that they would have your back. Jesus faced a similar situation. He chose to stay, to love, and to give Himself to them even in their weaknesses, fears, and cowardice. He loved them because His Father loved Him and them. It is only when we receive love will we be able to give love. Have we received love?
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Monday of Holy Week, March 29, 2021
Judas made a condemning and indignant statement when Mary poured expensive perfumed oil over Jesus’ feet and anointed Him. He did so because he questioned why the oil was not sold so that they can give money to the poor instead. Not a bad or wrong statement at face value, but what makes it wrong is what took place at the level of the heart. Judas didn’t really care about giving money to the poor; he just wanted more money at his disposal in the money bag. At the heart of his statement was envy, jealousy, and greed. He did not know his Lord.
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Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, March 28, 2021
Today we remember the time Our Lord went into Jerusalem for the final time. He was welcomed as a triumphant Messiah but left as a criminal who carried his own cross to be crucified. The people wanted a Messiah who would overthrow the Romans and who would establish his kingdom on earth, but Jesus was not that kind of Messiah. He is the Son of God, and His kingdom does not belong to this world. Are we like those who follow Christ only when things go smoothly or when things in our lives are as we had wanted, or do we follow Christ even into those deserts and on the way of the Cross? To be a Christian is not to hop on the bandwagon, it is to follow Christ to the end.
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The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25, 2021
Today we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Annunciation - when out of His infinite love for us, God became man and dwelt among us. May we today reflect on the great love the Father has for us, that He was willing to give up His only begotten Son for our salvation, so that we may be freed from the slavery to sin and have eternal life. How blessed are we! The prayer at the end of this reflection is the “Angelus.”
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Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent, March 23, 2021
Have you ever experienced someone asking you the same question again and again? Jesus experienced that in today’s Gospel. The Jews asked Him, “Who are You?” even after seeing Him do all the things He has done and hearing Him speak and preach. Yet Jesus’ answer was simply, “What I told you from the beginning.” What did Jesus say from the beginning? Do you know who Jesus is? Do you know who you are?
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Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent, March 21, 2021
Psalm 23 is perhaps one of the most famous psalms known by both Christians and non-Christians alike. It tells of the life of a man who puts his complete trust in the Lord even at times when all seems hopeless. There will be times in our lives when we are asked to walk through dark valleys. How will we respond?
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Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 21, 2021
Jesus tells His disciples that “unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” To be a disciple of Jesus means to die to self. But, that does not mean to strip ourselves of everything that makes us happy. It does mean to love and to sacrifice. How do you live your life? Who and what do you live for? Are you “dying to live” or are you “dying to live?”
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Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent, March 20, 2021
Have you ever met someone or listened to someone give a talk and said to yourself, “Wow I’ve never met anyone like that before.” The guards who were sent to bring Jesus to the chief priests and the Pharisees experienced that. Instead of bringing Jesus back with them they went back as changed men who simply said, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.” They not only saw and listened to Jesus, they encountered Him. There may be many people who may captivate our attention, but there is only one person who can transform our lives. That person is Jesus Christ, who is not like anyone before, and never has there been anyone after. Others may move us but only Christ can save us.
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Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today we celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We do not hear much from St. Joseph in the Gospels, but we do hear a little bit about him. We know he was Mary’s husband and Jesus’ foster father. Joseph was the man who protected Mary and Jesus and taught Jesus - the Son of God - what it meant to be a man, a son, and a father here on earth. May we ask for his intercession so that we may grow ever closer to his spouse and Son.
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Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent, Memorial of St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Have you ever made a promise to stop a bad habit, made progress, but then found yourself going right back to it? It’s the reality of our fallen human nature. The Israelites experienced that. They were led out of slavery and into freedom. They praised God. They promised to be obedient. Then what? They made and worshipped a golden calf! Perhaps they wanted to do what all other “big” or “popular” nation was doing. But they had forgotten that they were not just any other people. They were chosen people; they were God’s people. We too are not just anyone, we are God’s. And we are loved. Let’s never forget that. Let’s never turn our backs on the God who has loved us from all eternity.
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Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent, Memorial of St. Patrick
Is there something in your past that you are not proud of and that weighs you down? Have you been carrying a burden that seems like you are walking with a backpack filled of bricks everyday? Have you been living in the shadow of guilt or past shame? Know that you are not your past. Your identity lies not in what you may have done - good or bad, but rather in the love that God has for you, which is infinite and eternal. Jesus calls out to you today, “Come Out!” Will you take that first step into the Light with Him?
St. Patrick, pray for us!
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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent, March 16, 2021
Have you ever been misunderstood or hurt or even rejected because you told the truth or did something for another person’s good? Looking back, would you do it again? To love is to sacrifice. Oftentimes when we love we take risks. Jesus risked His life by healing the paralytic by the pool on a Sabbath. But he did it anyways because it is not out of fear that He acts, but rather love. And perfect love casts out all fear.
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Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent, March 15, 2021
What is it about the phrase “You have my word?” What does it mean when we give someone our word? It means that we ask that person to trust in us, in our relationship, and in our desire for their good. If this is the case for us when we give our word, how much more powerful is it when Jesus gives us His word. He says to you today, “You will live.” Do you believe Him?
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Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 14, 2021
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “being lifted up?” Maybe some sense of showy pride or even a sense of “being put on a pedestal.” But the “being lifted up” that Jesus mentions to Nicodemus is a much different one. One that healed the Israelites of snake bites in the desert and one that will come to save the world and bring eternal life. This “being lifted up” is one truly of biblical proportions.
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Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent, March 9, 2021, Commemoration of St. Frances of Rome
Were you ever in a life or death situation? Jesus gave a parable about a King and a servant who owed him a great debt. When the king asked for the account to be settled, the servant was unable to and so the king ordered for his entire family and all of his belongings to be sold. The servant begged for the king’s patience. But the king gave him more much. The King forgave his debt. When we ask for something, God always gives us much more than we could ever have asked. May we be forgiving to our brothers and sisters just as God has been so merciful to us.
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Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent, March 3, 2021
In today’s first reading we hear about the evil the people are trying to do to Jeremiah who preached repentance. Jeremiah sought only their good and wanted to bring them to the Lord, but in their closed-heartedness not only rejected him but plotted to kill him. Have we in our own lives taken something good and turning it into something evil?
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Tuesday, March 2, 2021, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
In today’s gospel reading Jesus told his followers to listen and to obey whatever the Pharisees and Scribes teach, but do not follow their example because they do not practice what they teach and preach. They place heavy demands and burdens on the people but do not lend a helping hand. They may point out faults and mistakes but do not offer solutions. At the heart of this are pride and self righteousness.
Why do we do things that we do? How is it that we choose to live our lives? What are our priorities, our values? Do we do or say things primarily to impress others or to come across as well versed and knowledgeable? I sometimes struggle with this. Worrying about what others may think of me and allowing that to rob me of my peace. It comes so naturally but I know my worth and value isn’t really rooted in that. Yet, I allow others and the affirmation of others control my life. God doesn’t care about those things. He also doesn’t care about our past. What matters most is what we decide to do right this minute. Will we renounce our past sins and turn back to God or will we continue to allow the world to manipulate us and draw us deeper into its fleeting pleasures? Now is the moment. How will we choose to live our lives?
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Memorial of St. Francis Xavier, Priest
The season Advent reminds us that Jesus is coming to us. We often think of the two comings of Jesus - the first coming at Bethlehem when Jesus was born and the Second Coming on the Last day. But let’s not forget the third coming - He comes to us in the here and now. Because God has become man and because Jesus came to us, we dare call on Him and go towards Him. In fact Jesus came to bring us to the Father. May we never be afraid to call on the Lord.
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Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
There is no darkness too dark for Christ. There is no past of ours that is too dark for Christ to enter. When Jesus died on the Cross he descended into the dead. Whatever darkness we are worried about is not as dark as the realm of the dead. Jesus went there! He went there for us, to show us that no darkness of ours is too dark for Him. Allow Christ to enter into those dark areas of our lives and He will bring light and life.
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Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Where does your hope come from? In what or whom do you hope? The Prophet Isaiah tells us that “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse.” Life will come from what is seemingly dead. There may be some things in our lives that we think there’s no way for it to be fixed, restored, resolved, or reconciled, but if we place our hope and trust in Jesus Christ, what may seemingly be dead or impossible will be possible and will bring about life. Where does your hope come from?
First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2020
“Be watchful! Be alert” were the words Jesus spoke to His disciples in today’s Gospel. Advent is a time of preparation and waiting, but not a type of meaningless waiting. Advent is rather a time of meaningful and active waiting. We are not waiting in line for a coffee or a sandwich, we are waiting for a Person, for Jesus Christ. Jesus comes to us not only on the Last Day, but He comes to us now. May we never lose sight of this. Let us be watchful and alert.
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Recently I read in the news about more riots and looting. A leader of the movement was interviewed and said that all those actions, i.e. stealing and looting, are justified and are means of reparation. We can not make reparations on our own behalf. May we today see the Christ in the other and walk together during these rebellious times, knowing that God is always with us.
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Memorial of St. Jane Frances de Chantal
When problems arise, how do you solve them? Jesus teaches us to go to the person and resolve it one on one. If that doesn’t work then get others involved. We must encounter to other in vulnerability and trust in order for there to be forgiveness, reconciliation, and resolution. And this is all possible if only we bring Christ into the picture.
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Memorial of St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
God is our Potter and we are the clay. Each of us are unique masterpieces of the Master Artist. He has a special plan for each one of us, but do we believe that? Do we believe Him? God invites us to trust in Him, to trust that He is with us even when all seems lost, and to trust that all the pain and suffering we undergo will bring about great good. Are we willing to be shaped today?
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Memorial of St. Martha
Today we celebrate St. Martha, the sister of Lazarus and Mary. When Lazarus died, Martha asked Jesus why He had not come sooner for if He did, her brother will not have died. But even in her grief, Martha professed her faith in Jesus, acknowledging that He was the Christ, the Son of God. May we ask the Father to deepen our faith today.
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Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
In your desperate time of need, who and where do you turn to? When life is not what you had hoped or expected it to be, what do you do? The world tells us to do whatever we need to do to numb the pain and to just ignore the problem, isolating ourselves from others. But deep down we know that is not the answer. The peace that we so desperately want and need can only come from God. Where are you looking and who are you turning to today?
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Memorial of St. Sharbel Makhlūf, Priest
God promised the people of Israel that He would send people to lead them, guide them, encourage them, teach them, and comfort them. That even when all seems dark and lost, there remains a light and a hope that can never be extinguished. He continues to do so today, but do we listen and follow?
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Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Have we forsaken Our God? Although our mouths may not have forsaken the Lord, perhaps our hearts have. When our actions no longer reflect what we once professed to believe then we have forsaken our God. When we have forsaken God we have also forsaken ourselves. In forsaking God, we are choosing to cut ourselves off from the source of our life. May we today choose to return to the source of our life, our God who made us and fashioned us. May we allow ourselves to be open to whatever God has in store for us, trusting that it is the best plan for our lives.
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Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, the "Apostle to the Apostles." After being healed by the Lord and being set free from the possession of seven demons, Mary Magdalene followed the Lord unreservedly. She was at the Cross and the tomb when the Apostles were hiding in the Upper Room. Upon seeing the Risen Lord she ran to tell the Apostles of the tremendous news, enabling them to step out of their fears and into the freedom of the Risen Christ. May we be ask the Lord to cast out our demons so that we may bring Him to others.
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Memorial of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church
When the people told Jesus that His Mother and brothers are outside looking for Him, He used it as a teaching moment. Jesus taught about the importance of the will of the Father and of those who not only know of it but does it. Those who do the will of the Father, Jesus told the people, are His brother, and sister, and mother. In the will of the Father lies our truest identity. Let’s claim it today.
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Memorial of St. Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr
Life as God intended seems to be so simple yet so difficult. Because of sin there is evil. But we are told by the Prophet Micah that God only requires us to do three things: “to do what is right, to love goodness, and to walk humbly with God.” So simple yet not always easy. May we ask the Lord for strength today.
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Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We can see that in this world of ours there is evil. Bad things happen. Bad choices are seemingly glorified. We want to see good people thrive and evil people punished for their actions and decisions, but very often we see good people suffer and those who do evil thrive and continue to grow strong. We may be tempted to be the judge and take matters into our own hands. But we must be careful. We are not the judge, for there is only one judge. We are however called to stand up for Truth and to love. To love includes instructing those who are wandering down a wrong path. And this takes a huge amount of patience.
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Memorial of St. Camillus de Lellis
When the Pharisees gathered to find some way to put Jesus to death, Jesus stepped back and withdrew from that place. Jesus withdrew not because He was scared or weak, but because He needed to move on to preach and heal to those who would listen and needed healing. The Pharisees were too hard of heart and Jesus couldn't change that for them. They needed to want to soften their hearts. In our lives there are times when we need to step back and withdraw for our sanity, our well-being, and our spiritual life.
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Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Sometimes we can get so caught up in the little things, in the small details that we lose sight of the bigger picture, of what is most important. Jesus invites us to look deeper and to rest in His heart and to know that all things are in His Father's hands.
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Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Have you ever had the experience of “Wow, I don’t know where that came from?” or “I don’t know what came over me when I did that or said that?” There are times in our lives when we experience an encounter that we perhaps never thought capable or possible. Oftentimes people credit their adrenaline rush. But I dare suggest it was rather the power of the Holy Spirit. “Do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say” (Mt. 10:19). God always supplies. In His Providence, God always has our back. The question we must ask ourselves is if we trust Him. We may have worked it with our hands and intellect, but it was God who started it and accomplished it. May we ask God for the grace to allow Him to work through us more and more each day, beginning with today.
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Memorial of St. Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
To know the Father is to know the Son, and it is only in knowing that we will come to love. And this love will only move us to loving service. May we spend some time in quiet conversation with the Lord today. St. Bonaventure, pray for us!
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Memorial of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin
Today we celebrate St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American to be canonized a saint by the Church. Kateri converted to Catholicism when she was 19 and took a vow of chastity, professing Jesus as her only spouse. Her family and friends did not agree with her decisions, but Kateri stood firm in her faith. Because of this and fear of persecution, Kateri moved to a more Christian-friendly community. A short five years later she died at the age of 24 from illness. The Prophet Isaiah tells us that the Lord reminds us that unless our faith is firm, we will not be firm. Who we are and how we live that out is rooted in our faith – not faith in ourselves but faith in the One who calls us beloved. May we come to recognize and go to the One who loves us and calls us His own so that we may be the faithful witnesses and disciples we are called to be.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us!
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Monday in the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Henry
Jesus tells His disciples that He came to bring “not peace but the sword," setting family and friends against one another. This sword is not a sword that kills and hurts but one that defends and sets free. This sword is the sword of Truth. There can be no peace without the Truth. So, yes, Jesus came to bring the sword.
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Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We live in a very blessed time. You might say I am crazy or you may ask me “Have you watched the news? Have you looked out your window? With all that is going on, how can you say we live in a blessed time?” The coronavirus. The riots. The racial injustice. The violent protests. The everyday evil committed by our people. Yes, those are all horrible things, but I still say we live in a very blessed time. We live in a blessed time not because we as humans, on our own, make it blessed, but because we have a God who has revealed Himself to us.
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Memorial of St. Benedict
God calls us by name and has a unique mission for each one of us – a plan for our lives that will bring us deep joy and lasting peace. God wants this for each one of us. The Lord calls us and invites us to a mission that is uniquely ours, and if and when we answer this call, that joy and peace will get us through even the toughest moments of our lives. So, when the Lord comes to the silence of your heart today, will you answer, “Here I am Lord, send me?”
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Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
As Christian disciples we are asked to live in this world but not to be of it. We are called to be witnesses to God’s love and mercy in a world that no longer believes in His existence. We will be mocked, ridiculed, and persecuted, but we must remain steadfast in our faith and continue to love because we must see the Christ that is in those who persecute us. We are like sheep among wolves, but we are not lost sheep. We are the sheep of the Good Shepherd who never abandons us but will guide us and remain with us. So, may we go confidently into the world proclaiming the love and mercy of God, confident in His Providence and plan for us.
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Memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions, Martyrs
Today we remember those who brought the faith to the Chinese people and those who gave up their life for Christ there. These people received the gift of faith and their hearts were set ablaze by it. Life can no longer be the same once you have encountered Christ and His love. What but love moved these people to die for their faith? They did not choose to die. They chose to follow Christ, and wherever that leads them, they will go. Where are we in our discipleship?
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Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Now is the time to do better and to turn from our wayward ways. Now is the time to reconcile and make amends. Now is the time to love and to forgive. Don't wait another second for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
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Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
We must be Jesus’ hands and feet. We must help raise up those who are bowed down in shame and fear. We must walk with those who have gone astray and steer them back home to God’s love. It is not up to the priest or bishop or religion teacher, but it is up to you and me to do this. The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. You are needed, will you answer the call?
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Memorial of St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr
Today we remember and celebrate St. Maria Goretti, a young girl who was killed because she refused to sin. A young man had asked her for sexual favors and when she repeatedly said no, he became more forceful. He finally got fed up and stabbed her 14 times. On her deathbed, Maria forgave the young man. When she struggled and refused the give in to the young man, Maria Goretti exclaimed, “No! It is a sin! God does not want it!” May all of our thoughts, desires, and actions be determined by God’s love and fidelity towards us so that all that we think, say, and do be a reflection of His love and fidelity.
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Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus invites us to go to Him and rest in His peace and rest - the rest that not only refreshes us but that lifts us up and frees us from our sins.
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Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Independence Day
Today in the United States we celebrate Independence Day, the Fourth of July. America has been commonly called the land of dreams and a place of opportunities and freedom. However, all this is now at stake. True freedom and peace only comes from God, and so when we break away from God, the source of all life and truth, we are longer free. May we seek out the God who proclaims peace to His people. May God bless America!
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Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle
St. Thomas is usually given a bad reputation with the nickname of “Doubting Thomas.” Yes, Thomas doubted when his brothers told him that Jesus is alive and has resurrected. But that does not define him as a person.
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Memorial of St. Junipero Serra
Where does God stand in your life?
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Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church
When the circumstances of our lives grow shaky and uncertain, do we turn to the Lord? Do we anchor ourselves in Jesus? There is no fear, no situation, no problem, no storm too big or strong for the Lord. Just as Jesus was with the Apostles on that boat, Jesus remains with us even through the most difficult times of our lives. In times of trouble may we cry out, “Jesus, I trust in You! Lord, save me and strengthen me!” and may our unwavering faith bring us safely to shore with Jesus as our captain.
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Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
One’s identity is crucial. It sort of dictates what we do, how we act, and what we believe. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter said that He is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” By making that confession, Peter was saying that He knows Jesus and He believes in Him and in the One who sent Him. From knowing Jesus’ identity, Peter came to know His own. For me, Jesus is my Savior and my brother, my sustainer and my redeemer, my all in all. And in knowing that I know who I am before God – a beloved son. How about you? Jesus asks you today, “Who am I to you?”
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Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
What does it mean to be hospitable or to be a good host? Am I kind to people because they have been kind to me or because I know they will be kind back? Am I generous with someone because I know they have the capability and means to pay me back? A true spirit of giving and hospitality is one that consists of no other intent than to give. Meaning if I am doing something for an ulterior motive then I am doing it for the wrong reason. I can think of so many times when I do something, yes at face value I am doing it simply because I know it’s the right thing to do, but deep down I hope for something in return. This we must do with people we both like and dislike. We only love Jesus as much as we love and like the person we like least. May we ask the Father for the grace of humility and a heart that is willing to love both friend and foe.
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Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Sometimes people ask me “Does prayer work?” I always say “Yes, it does.” Prayer matters. Prayer is our relationship with God and anything and everything we say to Him and bring to Him matters. There’s something inside our hearts that know that it means something when we ask others to pray for us. In essence we are really asking to be a part of a relationship, a loving relationship together with God. When we pray, we do not necessarily need to know the right words to say. We say what is on our hearts and Jesus will be able to see that. God sees the heart and will come to us when we meet Him there. So, I believe that prayer matters. Do you?
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Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
What are some of the wounds that hurt you badly and that affect you greatly? What are some things you are holding on to that brings you pain? A strained relationship? Unforgivness? Resentment? Betrayal? Whatever it is, Jesus is looking intently into your eyes now. Lay all those hurts before Him. Tell Him that you do want to be made clean, that you do not want these things to hold you down and keep you from living fully any longer. Now, Jesus stretches His hands out towards you, touches you, embraces you, and stands up with you, “I will do it. Be made clean.”
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Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus challenges us today to not just hear His words, but listen to them. And to listen to them from our hearts so that our hearts may be moved to action. Faith alone is not enough. We can’t just say we believe and think everything will be fine and that our spot is reserved in heaven just like that. Works are needed. Faith is also needed, but either alone is not sufficient. Faith accompanied by good works with God’s grace is doing the will of the Father. Let’s get to work!
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Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
We are each called by name for a special mission. God calls us by name. He calls out you you in the deepest recesses of your heart. Do you hear Him? He's speaking to you. Be still and listen. St. John the Baptist was born to an old couple and to a mother who was barren. Nothing is impossible for God. Even when we feel things are impossible, God will bring good out of it. Keep the faith. He calls out to you. Listen to Him.
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Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Nothing worth doing is easy. “Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered.” The gate and road that leads to life is narrow and constricted not because God does not want people to enter but because the world has made it so. It is hard to enter and difficult to travel on because we have become attached to this world. We have told ourselves that we belong to this world, but we do not. This world is passing, but we were made for eternity. When we cling to what we are not, it will only lead to sorrow, and this sorrow will bring us to despair and hopelessness, and ultimately destruction. When we can come to see that God uses all things for the good, the gate and the road to life will not seem too narrow or too constricted because we will come to see those hardships as gifts and moments of grace. So, let us enter through this narrow gate with joy and hope.
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Memorial of St. John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr and St. Thomas More, Martyr
We sometimes take so much interest in fixing other people’s problems and even in trying to solve the world’s problems. However, the truth to the matter is that we cannot change anyone except ourselves. We may want so much for someone to change their wayward ways, but we can’t change it for them. I think we can see this most clearly with parents and their children who may have gone down a not so good path or siblings who can see the same. Even though we cannot change for them, what we can do is be that role model for them. To do this we must take a good look at ourselves.
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Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We must not fear our weaknesses or our past. God knows them well and He will use them for good. The best example a father can give to his children is to show them that a real man loves and allows himself to be loved, and by doing so experiences pain and is not afraid to show it. This Father’s Day may we turn to St. Joseph and ask him to intercede for us, he who is the “terror of demons.” Jesus will surely not deny anything St. Joseph asks of Him for it was he who taught Jesus what it means to be a man.
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Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
When Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple, they asked Him why He had run off and did what He had done. Jesus was seemingly puzzled and asked why they were worried and explained that of course He’d be in His Father’s house. We are told that Jesus followed His parents back home and was obedient to them, while Mary pondered and kept all that had happened in her heart. Sometimes those whom we love will do things that will cause us pain, but we keep loving because we know they never truly intend to hurt us, but it happens. We feel pain and hurt because there is love! To ponder in our hearts is to love. When pain and hurt come our way, may we imitate Mary and ponder those things in our hearts, marveling at the great love that is there, and allow that love to bring us to an even deeper love.
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Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
We are chosen! The Lord tells us that we are sacred to Him and that we are peculiarly or particularly His own. God has set His heart on the Israelites and sets His heart on us today. You have been chosen. You are chosen for love, peace, joy, and hope. Will you choose to be called His today?
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Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
What strikes terror or fear in your heart? What weakness of yours paralyzes you and keeps from trying? What causes you shame and keeps you down? What troubling event in your past haunts you and keeps you from living? We all have these things that make us question ourselves – am I worthy of this? Do I deserve to be happy? I’m a bad person. What do they possibly see in me? With God as our Father, Jesus as our Savior, and the Holy Spirit as our Advocate, what is there to fear?
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Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s world we always have the temptation to want to be seen and known. Sometimes we do things or say things just to get noticed or to be praised, even when it’s not something that comes from our hearts. All this we do because we want to be heard and to be loved. The truth of the matter is that we do not need to do anything out of the ordinary – God already notices us. However, if we seek the praise and notice of humans and root our happiness in that, then we will never truly be happy because what we truly desire human praise cannot give. What we truly desire is what is hidden, something only the Father and those in Him can see – the love of God. May we today ponder the mystery of what is hidden and strive to see what is hidden with the eyes of faith.
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Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
We are asked to be perfect. What does that mean? Perhaps when we hear it, we think of acing everything. Perfect attendance. 100’s. No mistakes. No faults, no weaknesses. But how? We are human. How can Jesus ask that of us? In the Greek, the word translated into “perfect” actually comes from the word meaning “end.” Not the end of something, but the end for which we were created. In other words, the purpose and aim of our life. Jesus is reminding us that our end is God, who is love itself, and when we live in Christ, we are reaching our end.
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Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Our natural human instinct tells us to respond in an equal or greater manner when something is done to us. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” It only makes sense, right? We can’t let people walk all over us and we need to let them know that. That’s our human instincts. But we have been touched by the divine and Jesus came so that we may share in His divinity. And because of that, how we respond ought to be different. We are not to retaliate with force or non-action. We are to retaliate with love. It is love that will move hearts. When I say something bad back or try to get someone back, I usually end up feeling like a jerk. That’s because deep down I know that’s not what I was made for. I was made for love. And so are you. So, let us turn the other cheek and go the extra mile today.
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Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Our world today has seemingly adopted a culture of death. This culture of death is disguised as the freedom to choose and the freedom to live life as one sees best and ultimately as happiness. But as its name implies, this culture ultimately leads to death. Pursuing life in a selfish and self-centered manner will lead not only to unhappiness but also death. What is life without love? What is life when other people are not around you? That is no life. That is death. Life only makes sense with love. And love, true love, is laying down one’s life for another. Jesus came to tell us that we were made for life. Let's start living.
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Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church
In one of his sermons, St. Anthony of Padua said, “Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. We are full of words but empty of actions, and therefore are cursed by the Lord, since he himself cursed the fig tree when he found no fruit but only leaves.” We can say many things, but when it comes to living them out, I think many of us fall short – at least I know I do. Jesus told His disciples to let their “yes” mean “yes” and their “no” mean “no.” Hypocrisy was big then, and it is big now. Let us beg for the grace of humility and courage to let our “yes” mean “yes” and our “no” mean “no,” and may our actions reflect our words.
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Friday in the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time
Sometimes we may feel far and distant from God or that we do not know how to “get in touch” with God. So, we try to look for Him in things and other people. But, first we ought to go to the place were God speaks to us – in the stillness of our heart. The Prophets tell us that God was not in the earthquake or fire, but rather God was in the “tiny, whispering sound,” at which Elijah hid his face. God comes to us in the silence of our hearts. Let us seek to listen to this small quiet voice in the midst of this noisy world by looking inward into our hearts and when we do, let us say, “I long to see your face, O Lord.” Do you hear Him? God says, “I long to see you too.”
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Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle
St. Barnabas saw the change in St. Paul and invited him into a deeper encounter with the Lord in preaching the Gospel and bringing the love and mercy of God to others. Today we are given this invitation. How will we respond, and will we extend this invitation to others as St. Barnabas did?
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Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
How do you pray? When I begin to pray, I usually start with “Hey Jesus. How are you?” Then I thank Him and ask Him for the graces and things I need. However, sometimes my prayer can seem to formal. When facing the followers of a foreign god, Elijah wanted to show them that there is only One God, and so he asked them to ask their god to send down fire for the offering. No matter how much they called and asked, no fire came. And so Elijah turned to heaven and asked the Lord to send down fire so that those present would come to know and believe in the One True God. Elijah prayed and said “Answer me, Lord!” And guess what? God sent down fire.
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Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor of the Church
When we close our hearts, we are not only closing ourselves off from giving love but also closing ourselves off from receiving love. Our society has twisted our perceptions and confused our judgments. What is true and good our minds have now processed and determined as insufficient and boring. Our minds have taken falsehood for truth and our hearts have been set on things that will not last. We have allowed our hearts to close and harden. Now is the time to open our hearts to love and peace and joy that will last forever, for only then will our hearts be truly at rest.
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Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
It is the clean of heart that will see God. What does that mean? Have you ever felt so disgusted by someone or something because of what they may have done or said that you couldn’t bear to look at them? I know I have. Those are the moments when I have failed to see God.
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Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
As Catholic Christians we believe in the Trinity, that is that there are Three Divine Persons in One God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are of the same substance, and each is not a part of a whole. There are one but distinct. Drawing from St. Augustine, they are a community of love where the Father is the lover, the Son is the beloved, and the Holy Spirit is the love that exist within that community. The Trinity exists as a relationship. Our God is a relational God, and God wants a relationship with us. The Father calls out to us and sent us His Son, Jesus who came to give us life and to bring us to the Father, who sent the Holy Spirit to be with us always, reminding us of how much we are loved. The Trinity is a mystery, which means we may never really fully understand it, but we don’t need to. We only need to believe. Our faith and belief is our response to the call of the Father. This call of the Father is an invitation to be in relationship with Him and the Son and the Holy Spirit. He calls out to you today, how will you respond?
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Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Norbert
We are all on a journey, and we must encourage and support one another. There will be times when we may doubt and question and sometimes, we may even give up and walk the other way. But we must stick together and remember that Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Even when the world tells us there is an easier way, a truer truth, or a better life, we must remember the words of Christ. The world will try to distort the truth and encourage us to settle for worldly things, but we must remember that we were made for greatness and this greatness lies in Christ. Let us keep the faith.
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Memorial of St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
In one of his letters, St. Boniface writes, “In her voyage across the ocean of this world, the Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship but to keep her on her course.” At the time of St. Boniface, the missionaries in Germany had a difficult time evangelizing because the pagans were worshipping an oak tree. When St. Boniface arrived, he saw that the tree was in the way, so he cut it down. He got rid of the obstacle that prevented the people from getting closer to God and knowing the Truth. What are the obstacles in our lives that keep us from receiving that great peace? Let’s ask the Lord to give us the strength to chop down the trees that block the light of truth from shining through.
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Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
It is not in God’s nature to be unfaithful. To be faithful seemingly then is part of God’s very nature. Our nature does not change with the world around us. Our nature dictates who we are and what we are made of and made for: love. Being unfaithful is not compatible with love, and since God is love, God cannot but be faithful, even when we are not and when we choose to reject Him. Even if we choose to leave Him, He remains faithful and is always waiting for us to come home. He is the Father who never ceases to look for us, and when we do return, He embraces us, welcomes us, and looks tenderly upon us. May we return to our very nature, embracing faithfulness, love, and mercy.
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Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
Power. Love. Self-control. These were the three things St. Paul reminded of Timothy. “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” Power does not mean dominating the weak or less fortunate, but rather recognizing our weaknesses and letting go of our pride and putting on humility. Love does not mean seeking out pleasure, but rather laying down our lives for others. Power and love are wonderful things, but the world has distorted it. All things that are good are used for the good of others. Power and love are used for the good of others. May we ask the Lord to remove our selfish ambitions and grant us the grace to live selfless lives, bearing witness to the Gospel.
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Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Memorial of Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs
Our country is in turmoil. What started as peaceful protests turned into riots and looting and violence. People took advantage of something good and used it for their own selfish desires. Setting cars on fires, breaking the glass windows of shops, crawling and climbing into the open areas of boarded up glass panels – what is this? This is not human. Where is human dignity?
Fire and flames will come, but not the fires set by people trying to make a “statement” – that is never right or justified. May we allow the fire and flames burning within our hearts purify all of our selfish ambitions and even our unforgiving spirit so that we may stand united in the face of these inhumane actions and be a light for those rioting in darkness.
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Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church
Before Jesus died, He entrusted Mary into John’s care. At the same time, Jesus was entrusting John and the entire Church to Mary. One of the very last things Jesus did before He breathed His last was to make sure Mary had someone to look after her and that the Apostles had someone to look after them. Even at the Cross, in His pain and agony He thought about others. As Son he made sure His mother will be taken care of, and as Teacher he made sure His disciples and followers will have a familiar face to remind them of His love. Today, we honor Mary as Mother of the Church. How blessed are we that we have a Mother who intercedes for us and brings all our needs to Her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ!
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Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost is known as the birthday of the Church. On that day the Holy Spirit descended upon the people and the barriers that separated them were taken down. The people were all together – the apostles, the disciples, and Mary. They were bound together by the love of God and they were ready and open to receive the Holy Spirit into their hearts. Though the people were from different places and spoke different languages they were able to understand one another because the Gospel is one and the same. The Gospel and the love of God transcends all barriers, even language barriers. The language of the Gospel is the language of love, a language that speaks from the heart to the heart. With the Spirit we will be able to weather the storms of our lives joyfully because Jesus comes to us and says, “Peace be with you.” The world today is filled with violence and unrest because as a people we are divided. The people at Pentecost were united in the love of God, and because they were united together as one body, they were able to proclaim the Gospel and live out their lives as disciples, embodying love as their mission. May we come together as a people, one body in Christ, seeing our differences not as barriers but rather as gifts to build up one another. Let us pray, “Come, Holy Spirit!”
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Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
After Jesus had reprimanded him, Peter shifted his focus on what the Lord asked him to do – “Feed my sheep.” He kept his eyes on Christ, knowing that only by doing so will he be able to carry out what Jesus instructed him to do. As Christians our focus can sometimes be lost in the world of politics, current events, and the temptation to become relevant that we forget what is most important – our relationship with God. Only in that relationship are we able to do anything and everything. Our mission as disciples is not to micromanage and become busybodies but rather to root who we are and what we do in Christ and from there bring others the hope and the joy of the Gospel not merely by our lips but by our actions and example. “Father, give me the grace to always put our relationship first so that out of that I may carry out what you have asked of me – to love others and to lay down my life for them.”
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Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Memorial of Pope St. Paul VI
Today, Jesus invites us to relationship with Him. He asks us, “Do you love me?” He meets us where we are and walks with us as we journey along. He sees our wounds, pains, brokenness, and says to us “I love you. Just as I show you my wounds so you can show me yours. Our wounds are not something to be ashamed of because it can bring much hope and love. Now, follow me.”
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Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Aren’t you tired of living in fear and anxiety? Aren’t you tired of feeling incompetent or not good enough? It is time to reject those lies. St. Paul went from persecuting the Christians to dying as one. He encountered the Truth, was moved by it, converted, lived the Truth, and was unafraid doing so. He was not afraid because he heard the Lord say to him time and again, “Take courage. I am here with you.” On our own we cannot cast out those fears that control us but with God we can cast out those lying voices that enslave us. We must not back down. We must go forward in Truth. We must go forward for God is with us.
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Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Memorial of St. Augustine of Canterbury
You were created out of love for love. You are loved not because of what you can do, what you have, or what others say about you. True and genuine love cannot be bought or earned. It can only be received and given. God loves you, but you have to receive it. You cannot really love anyone else, including yourself, if you do not receive love. You can't give what you don't have. The world will tell you that you are loved only to the extent you can perform and that others will love you more or less based on that. That's a lie! You are loved and you have been loved from all eternity. And that is the Truth. We belong to the Truth. This Truth is so true that God became man for you and me. It's time to receive God's love. Pray with me, "Come into my heart, Lord. I am ready to receive your love."
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Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Memorial of St. Philip Neri
Eternal life does not only begin when we die. The world preaches a world of immediate pleasures and gratification and a disordered understanding of "living in the present moment." For today's world "living in the present moment" means to take advantage of everything and everyone for our own benefit and pleasure. "You only live once." We all want to live joyful and full lives but living it in a way that pursues selfish pleasure does not lead to it. Jesus tells us that to know Him and the Father is to have eternal life. Eternal life begins now. To live in the present moment and to seize the day is to live eternal life - living life to the full, living life knowing we have been so loved and blessed. So loved and blessed not because we earned it, but because we have a Father who loves us for who we are.
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Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Memorial of Saints Bede the Venerable, Gregory VII, and Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi
When the world induces worry and anxiety within our hearts, know that those worries and anxieties have already been conquered. Jesus is your strength. In Him alone is your peace and joy. Do not let the lies of the world draw you in. Rather, draw close to the Father and He will draw close to you. You are not alone. God is with You. Let God into your heart and allow Him to cast out all your fears.
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Seventh Sunday of Easter
When tragedy strikes or when people find themselves in a situation where they feel helpless, they might say, "All we can do now is pray." It is a good thing people turn to prayer, but prayer is not something that should happen just when bad things happen! Prayer is not some meaningless or time-passing activity. Prayer is an ongoing relationship with the Father who fashioned us, created us, and loves us. We can pray wherever and whenever. Every moment of our lives can be prayer.
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Though it may sometimes feel this way, we are not alone in this world or in our struggles. It is a common temptation to feel that no one else in this world understands what we may be going through, but there is always someone who does. By sharing our own experiences with one another, others may suddenly see that flicker of light in the darkness. Our experiences may bring someone from despair to hope. Never underestimate the power of one's witness and testimony. When we speak from the heart, it is Christ who speaks and works through us. Heart speaks to heart.