Posts by Celina Manville
Be Like the Leper
I suppose it is a strange title or aspiration: Be like the leper! However, we will see why this leper is someone that serves as a model for all of us. It does not seem desirable to compare ourselves to a leper, upholding him as the standard, but there is much to be gained as…
Read MoreBy What Authority?
The scene in today’s Gospel is a direct challenge to Jesus’s authority. Recall the context of the event: It is just before the start of Holy Week. At the beginning of this chapter in Matthew, Jesus is preparing to enter Jerusalem where he knows he will be arrested and crucified. He sends two disciples to…
Read MorePray Always
“Pray always without becoming weary.” -Luke 8: 1 This thought-provoking message is repeated in 1 Thessalonians 5: 17: Pray without ceasing! The parable Jesus shares in today’s Gospel is to teach this lesson: Pray always! Have we ever wondered or meditated upon what this means? How can we truly pray without interruption? Is this even…
Read MoreFollow The Leader
Young children so enjoy playing copying games, like Follow the Leader or Simon Says. As an elementary school teacher of over 20 years, I can instantly grab a classroom full of students’ attention simply by saying “Simon Says…”. All ears perk up and stand at attention waiting to see what action they will follow. It…
Read MoreLord, I am Not Worthy
The centurion from today’s Gospel could not have known that his very words were not only being recorded, but that they would have a central place in every Holy Mass celebrated throughout the centuries across the world! This centurion was not a follower of Christ; he was presumably not even a Jew. However, he was…
Read MoreTo Whom Do I Belong?
As humans, we love to categorize – both others and ourselves – into specific groups, whether it be our political affiliations, our sports team loyalties, our personality types, and even our worship preferences. Somehow, by defining these aspects of ourselves, we think we can communicate our identity more effectively. Yet, these labels actually cloud the…
Read MoreQualities of the Heart
“In the evening of life, we will be judged by love alone.” – St. John of the Cross This quote distills the ultimate mission given to us by Christ. Because of His great love for us,He sacrificed His life on the cross to save us. What wondrous love is this! Jesus offered every minute of…
Read MoreUnless Your Faith is Firm
Today’s Gospel is not one often quoted as a favorite. It contains the reproaches of Jesus to the faithless. We hear: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” Honestly, our first thought when hearing this may be: “Glad I am not one of those two towns!” However, to do so would be missing the…
Read MoreMysterious Seeds
A seed is not something we typically associate with mystery or magnificence, but it is the analogy Jesus uses, not once but twice, in today’s Gospel. Let’s take a closer look at his first analogy: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed…
Read MoreNo Greater Love
Doing God’s will is the path of oneness in God. And Oneness in God is the only path to oneness in the world. Most would agree that unity is a noble goal, but at times, in the pursuit of unity, times of division are inevitable. Take for example the first reading today. Paul is brought…
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