Daily Reflections
How many of you remember this children’s song? Stay awake, (clap, clap) be ready. (clap, clap) You do not know the hour when the Lord is coming. Stay awake, (clap, clap) be ready. (clap, clap) The Lord is coming soon! This children’s song for Advent was written by English born…
Read More
Most people fail not necessarily because they are incapable, but because they are not properly motivated and encouraged. Working with young people has taught me that what they need most is encouragement. Even when they fall short of expectations, they still need to be encouraged so that they can rise…
Read More
We all have low moments in life, times when we aren’t sure what to do or how things will work out. In these desperate moments, I have at times tended to think I’m alone and that there is no help for me. Yet, my experience has been that God proves…
Read More
My dear friends, in the Gospel today, Matthew presents the first four of the seven ‘woes’ of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees. He criticizes them for their hypocrisy and deceptive life. Jesus repeatedly calls them ‘blind’, ‘hypocrites’, and ‘fools’ because of their lifestyle and their commitment in following not…
Read More
If there is any scene in the Bible I could go back in time to be a part of, it would hands-down be John 6. Jesus has just told the crowds His teaching on the Eucharist, and his followers departed in waves because they couldn’t accept it. All left standing…
Read More
128:1b-2, 3, 4, 5 R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him. Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear…
Read More
Given the rainbow’s distinctive combination of colors, many movements have embraced the symbol to convey their desire to combat racism and promote inclusivity. However, I would argue that the Catholic Church is the original—and baptized—Rainbow Coalition, precisely because her founder, Jesus Christ, is the creator and Savior of all humanity…
Read More
Today’s reading features the chilling story of Jephthah’s fateful vow, culminating in his sacrificing his only daughter as a burnt offering. And in the Gospel, an ill-clad gent is flung into the outer darkness. The Bible is chock full of such hair-raising anecdotes that kept yours truly agog as a…
Read More
In today’s first reading, Jotham’s apologue presents us with a great lesson on the concept of leadership and why good people should take up the responsibility of governance. He tells the story of the trees, who want to make a king for themselves. Evidently, the trees in this story have…
Read More
In today’s first reading Gideon is encouraged by the Angel of the Lord, “Go with the strength you have, and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.” (Judges 6:11). My dad used to say, “Kiddo, the Lord never gives you more than you can…
Read More