Posts by Grant Herndon
Jesus – Not a Fan of Hypocrisy: A Challenging Examination of Conscience
In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew Chapter 23, Jesus continues addressing the multitudes and his disciples. The graphic language should give us all pause for serious reflection, he pronounces an extremely stern rebuke of the Pharisees and scribes focused on their hypocrisy. In so doing, he leads us to a challenging examination of conscience –…
Read MoreGod Has Our Number!
This Sunday’s second reading from Chapter 8 of Romans is about what it means for God to be all-knowing, yet allow us as his creatures to exercise our free will. It is all a bit over my head, so I consulted the Church Fathers to see what has been said over the centuries, and this…
Read MoreJESUS ANSWERS A LEPER’S REQUEST
In today’s Gospel reading, we see one of two major examples in the 8th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel of Jesus healing people who come to him in great humility and faith: the healing of a leper who tells him, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” The second example, later in the chapter,…
Read MoreGird Your Loins! Trim Your Lamps! Staying Prepared for the Journey!
Today’s first reading is from the first letter of St. Peter, written to Christians in far-flung areas of Asia Minor who were experiencing ostracism and persecution for their faith. He speaks to them of the ancient prophets who foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit with the promise of grace and salvation through faith. St.…
Read MorePatient Endurance: A Dimension of Meaning in Suffering that Changes Everything!
Today’s second reading is from the First Letter of St. Peter. St. Peter writes to Christians in far-flung areas in Asia Minor who were experiencing ostracism and persecution for their faith. The reading begins: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this…
Read MoreTHEY JUST DIDN’T GET IT: “BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus once again attempts to reveal his true nature to the Jews, only to be met with insults and threats. In this passage, Jesus has returned to the temple. After the Pharisees attempt to set a trap for him with the woman caught in adultery, he continues his teaching. Though many…
Read MoreAsk and Ye Shall Receive, Within Reason!
In today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus continues his intense teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. Before laying out the Golden Rule, He instructs his disciples in the familiar “ask, and ye shall receive” narrative: that everyone who asks, receives; who seeks, finds; and who knocks, will find the door opened. Really,…
Read MoreSerpent’s Eggs Do Not Hatch Out into Doves
There is a lot going on in the third chapter of Mark. Jesus had healed a man with a withered hand on a Sabbath in the synagogue, prompting the Pharisees to plot against him. He withdraws to the Sea with the disciples, and a great multitude follows him. He heals the sick and drives out…
Read MoreThe First Martyr for Jesus
Today’s first reading for the feast of St. Stephen goes hand in hand with the Gospel reading. The former is a concrete example in the earliest years of the church of Jesus’s instruction to the apostles about the hardships they would endure in carrying out his teachings together with the support they would receive to…
Read MorePatient Endurance Amidst Trials: Let Christ Do the Work
In this week’s Gospel reading, Christ reminds the apostles (and us) that just as the physical Temple could be toppled, following Him on the way of the cross can shake our spiritual foundations. Coming to the defense of our Lord may result in hatred, betrayal, persecution and even death. The apostles quickly found this out…
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