The Blessing and Reward of a Prophet. In today’s gospel, we read about rewards that await acts of generosity. Beyond being rewarded for a good deed, there seems to be a particular of blessing and reward bestowed on those who bless and or attend to the needs of a prophet.…
In a world where material possessions are often equated with security, faith anchors us with a priceless sense of detachment, trust, and security as we navigate through life’s uncertainties. I apologize writing this reflection rather too late, and also if my thoughts appear a bit disorganized at the moment. As…
Faithful Believers. As a faithful Catholic, at least once a week, we recite our profession of faith. We state our belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ the son and the Holy Spirit. Too often I say the Nicene Creed in a rote fashion, rarely focusing on each of the…
Paul speaks: What have you asked of me Lord? I spent my early years in work and study, in order to be certain, in order to be secure and sufficient to myself. I wanted to be a teacher, keeping my people on the straight path, never deviating from the Law…
So Shall Your Descendants Be. Today’s readings speak about the future. Abram (he has not received his new name yet) is facing his mortality, as all of us will have to do. He reasonably points out that he has no offspring, no one to inherit the households, herds and property…
Abraham Lincoln, one of the most revered figures in American history, is widely remembered for his pursuit of reconciliation and unity during a time of deep division in the United States. Despite the immense challenges and pressures of the Civil War, he consistently sought to bridge the gap between conflicting…
For the past one week, we have been reading from Matthew’s Gospel, and every one of them started with: “Jesus said to his disciples”: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance…
We are often encouraged to live with courage and confidence. But there are situations when courage becomes a task and confidence evaporates. There is nothing as horrible as one living in the midst of adversaries whose only pleasure is in bringing harm and antagonism. In such a situation, one’s life…
Big plans in store. The Christian concept of personal mission is something very clearly presented in the life of John the Baptist. From the moment the angel told Zechariah about John, he had a mission. In Jeremiah we read, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before…
The gospel today is thought-provoking. It brings to focus the challenge of men and women regarding future security of life for themselves and their families. As one begins to grow old, he or she is worried over the uncertainties of life. The anxiety of death and “life after” begins to…