No fluff–just Jesus Christ, and Him crucified
This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
Why is it so hard simply to believe that God will keep his word? Today’s readings are all about faith. We see some examples of people who are slow to believe. In the first reading, Sarah chuckles in disbelief as the messengers of God predict her childbirth. In the gospel, Jesus refers to those of …
This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
The entire history of salvation consists in God’s action to undo, with the most delicate respect for man’s freedom, the damage that man has done to himself through sin. In today’s readings, we see God reversing physical maladies introduced into the world with original sin: infertility in the case of Sarah in the first reading, …
This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
“Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist.” (Mt. 11:11) This is the superlative fashion with which Jesus refers to John the Baptist. What would it mean to us to receive such a striking compliment from the Son of God? And indeed, as today’s psalm tells us, John was …
This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
The ideal followers of the pagan gods in ancient Roman and Greek civilizations were the great, strong heroes–the mighty warriors, who gained victory for their people. As Christians, without perhaps realizing it, sometimes strive to emulate these sorts of heroes in our service of God. We strive to be great protectors as fathers, the wisest …
This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
“How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” With this chilling line today’s scriptures end. In the first reading, Abram, who has chosen the narrow road by seeking to be faithful to God in all things, is given a breathtaking promise: “Look about you, …
This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
Today’s readings are all about the plantings of the Lord, which grow mighty and stand steadfast, providing shelter and shade to many. In the second reading, St. Paul speaks about how those who remain steadfast in the Lord live in their bodies on earth as in exile, away from home; and how leaving our bodies …
This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
On this feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, today’s readings present to us three distinct traits of the heart of the Blessed Virgin. First, the gospel gives us a window into Mary’s contemplative heart. She was truly dismayed when she and Joseph had lost track of Jesus. Imagine losing your child in a crowd, …
This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
“You shall draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation,” today’s psalm tells us. And the gospel reveals to us whence those springs of salvation flow. When the soldier thrusts the lance into Jesus’ side, immediately blood and water flow out, from Jesus’ pierced Heart. It is from Jesus’ unfathomably loving Heart that we draw …
This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
Today’s psalm tells us, “The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land,” and, “Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him.” The utter fullness of God’s might and glory is near indeed, just a breath away from us. But, as St. Paul tells us in the first reading, it is veiled …
This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
The pairing of today’s readings is fascinating. In the first reading, St. Paul describes Mosaic Law, epitomized in the Ten Commandments, as the “ministry of death.” Jesus in the gospel, on the other hand, is adamant that no letter or part of a letter of the Law will not disappear, and the Law must be …