In today’s Gospel (Matthew 10:1–7), Jesus summons His Twelve Apostles, gives them authority to heal and drive out unclean spirits, and sends them out to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The Twelve are called by Jesus to cooperate with Him in establishing the Kingdom of God,…
We are called by Jesus to witness to the Gospel to others. It is by the power of Jesus that this proclamation is accomplished and fruitful. Without His power, we are powerless to bring about conversions. This is shown from the first reading where God complains, “How long will they…
Today’s Gospel presents us a very interesting series of events: we have a miracle on the way to a miracle, a sort of story within a story, all of which casts light on the nature of suffering and the importance of faith. Matthew’s version of the story is less detailed…
The second semester of my second year of theology was particularly difficult. In general, second semesters always seem endless because they begin in the middle of winter and end toward the close of spring. That particular year, I was taking seven courses. At the same time, I was involved in…
Today’s readings fill me with a spirit of joy, promise, peace, and restoration. They remind us of the need to pause and integrate what salvation actually means, for me, for us, for this world now. Jesus came and has restored His Kingdom and given us the gift of Faith to…
We read in the gospel today how the Lord healed a paralytic man who was being carried on a stretcher by his friends. The conversation quickly turned to a different topic rather than the great miracle the sick man had received from Jesus. In reading the Scriptures, especially the gospels,…
The Blessed Lord arrives in the territory of the Gadarenes, a place a religious Jew would regard as ceremonially unclean. The city’s name, Gadara, once meant “fortress,” “walled place,” or “stronghold.” Over time, however, it becomes known for something far more degrading. Society labels it a land of pigs and…
Please indulge me in a digression. I remember studying the mathematical concept of fractals in school. At its most rigorous level, the study of fractals involves complex equations, of which I do not remember anything. But I do remember one basic concept. As with many seemingly abstract Math concepts, fractals…
Statue of St Peter the Apostle[1] Statue of St Paul the Apostle[2] Dear brothers and sisters: Mother Church celebrates today the Solemnity of these two great Apostles. I would like to share with you some brief excerpts from the Catecheses of Pope Benedict XVI on Peter and Paul. Regarding the…
In today’s Gospel, our Lord says: “He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me.” -Matthew 10:37 I think many people falsely believe that loving God more than anyone else…