In the middle of the crowd, I struggle to understand, even to hear what my master is saying. He says beware of the Pharisees. Yes, I see that. He has upset them again. He tells us not to be afraid, but he speaks about people who can kill us. So,…
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:36 What strength do we need to stand before the Son of Man and where do we get it? In the course of preparing this reflection, I came upon…
Today we are reminded of our true inheritance. Jesus recounts the parable of the bountiful harvester who decides to enlarge his granaries to set aside his largesse to fuel a life of ease and greed. In stark contrast is Our God who lavishes His treasures on us despite our willful,…
Today’s readings remind us we are called by name. There are no gods before the One and True God. We should give thanks and remember we are loved and chosen. Ultimately, we are called to give to God what belong to God. Every Hair The First Reading from Isaiah says,…
“Hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, I do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Eph. 1: 15 – 16). These words, which St. Paul addressed to the early Christians of Ephesus in today’s First…
In today’s Gospel, two instructions stand out from Jesus address to us, his present disciples: “Beware of the leaven—that is, the hypocrisy—of the Pharisees” and, “Do not be afraid”. Hypocrisy It is interesting how Jesus compares hypocrisy to leaven, or yeast. Leaven is tiny, but it quietly works its way…
Today’s First Reading is the beginning of Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. This letter is one of my favorites of the Pauline Epistles. Saint Paul begins this letter with a hymn of pure praise: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us…
Today’s Gospel obviously is not against keeping precepts—such as paying the tithe (a concrete way to financially support one’s parish community)—but reminds us that, in doing so, we must not forget love and justice, which lie at the heart of every authentically Christian action. Jesus speaks of the hypocrisy of…
As humans, we so much cherish freedom. Our free will to make decisions and act in daily life shapes who we become over time. But what does it mean to be truly free before God? Can someone observe religious prescriptions faithfully and yet remain spiritually enslaved? Paul’s letter to the…
First the Luke-Matthew Connection: Today’s Gospel verses are paralleled in Matthew 13: 38-42. Both record Jesus’ address to a crowd who ask for a sign, perhaps expecting something so spectacular as to overcome their doubt that Jesus is the Messiah. Our Lord proclaims that this unfaithful generation would only see…