Daily Reflections
St. James in his letter emphasizes the importance of good works as a testament of a good faith (Jas 2: 16ff). That is the theme of our First Reading today. It would almost seem that the words which St. James offers us in this letter of his are in contradiction…
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This line in today’s gospel has been resonating with me these past weeks. Next time the day’s pressures trip you into anger, aggression, or sarcasm, imagine Jesus stopping you, gently grasping your arm and saying “But who do you say that I am? (Mark 8:29). Like Peter, do we say…
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As Jesus entered the town of Bethsaida, the people brought him a blind man, and what was the very first thing Jesus did? He took this man “by the hand and led him outside the village” (Mk 8:23). Jesus led him outside what is familiar, outside his comfort zone. Jesus…
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Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). The Value of Trials and Temptation Trials, tribulations, and temptations come our way often in life. They are difficult experiences and problems that confront us daily. Primarily, trials…
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I am a volunteer Religious Education teacher at our parish. This year, I have the privilege of teaching 22 kids who are in the second year of a two-year Confirmation program, with the sacrament happening in mid-May. We meet every Sunday for 90 minutes. The Director of Religious Education has…
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At the center of every human life is the quest for happiness and well-being. There are moments when we share collective happiness; for example, during the just concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON), lovers of football vibrated with joy. The coming super bowl sport is certainly going to be great…
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Starting At the Beginning Some bible scholars begin their reflection of Jesus feeding the four thousand by observing, comparing, and contrasting a prior event where Jesus fed 5000. There is merit to such a comparison but, if so limited, it misses a great human story. I would suggest that this…
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In the Psalm today the Lord says, “I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.” This got me thinking about prayer and how we hear God’s voice. I wondered if God speaks to us similarly or if we all have unique experiences. I concluded it is probably a little…
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Years ago, during my conversion of faith, I was sitting at work one Friday when a whimsical thought suddenly took hold of me: I will go to a Catholic church. Spurred on by this mysterious impulse, I drove out to the Catholic church on the other side of town. I…
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Solomon And The Queen of Sheba Our first reading, from 1 Kings, tells us the story of the Queen of Sheba, having “heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD,” coming to Jerusalem to test him with riddles. She came to him with a large caravan…
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