Daily Reflections
R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.A clean heart create…
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Greetings, Gratia Vobis readers. This month we are filling in for Tom Nash with today’s reflection. After reading today’s Gospel from John, I reflected on how we listen and how we respond to what we hear. The high priests and the Pharisees are incredulous over the failure of the guards…
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In the silence of the heart, the Lord speaks. When I recently heard these words from a priest, it immediately resonated with me. And while I instinctively knew its truth, I also knew it would be a pearl of peerless price, something difficult to attain. Many and varied would be…
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The First Reading of today tells the story of Moses who enters into dialogue with God to “sweeten the face of the Lord”. In doing this, he implements two strategies. Firstly, Moses decisively refuses to receive preferential treatment with respect to a community of which he feels he is a…
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Today’s readings stir up reminders of God’s eye watching over us, pitying us. It is also St. Patrick’s Day, always a major festivity for Americans with Irish in their bloodline. Or, at least that’s how it is in my family. At the age of sixteen, St. Patrick (389-461) was kidnapped…
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It’s a puzzling question: Do you want to be well? In today’s Gospel, a seriously ill man had been lying near the pool of Bethesda for 38 years. His illness caused some kind of paralysis or weakness preventing him from walking. People with all kinds of infirmities were nearby, hoping…
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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). When we are besieged with life difficulties and problems, we long for solutions that will bring them to an end. When we are met with ugly situations and…
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I was in the middle of the “unknown” until I had a divine visitation on February 12th, 1996, during my seminary formation days. I dreamed of the appearance of Jesus bleeding profusely and the blood was dazzling. Initially, I couldn’t recognize Him because he presented himself as a priest I…
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In today’s Gospel (Luke 18:9-14), there are two attitudes regarding our basic convictions about God and towards others. I will reflect on those two attitudes. The attitude of the Pharisee: The Pharisee begins by giving thanks to God. This is certainly commendable. However, the reason for his thanksgiving is that…
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All Jews recite the Shema before their feet hit the floor every morning, with hands covering the eyes: “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one. Therefore, you shall love the LORD your God, with all your heart, all your being, and with all your strength.” In the reading…
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