Today we celebrate the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, who are the parents of the Virgin Mary, the In-Laws of Joseph, and Jesus’ earthly grandparents. Imagine the amount of holiness in one house as they got together for sharing meals, birthdays or special events. Today’s Gospel gave me the…
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One of the things that makes life very fascinating is the fact that we do not know what will happen next. We ordinarily live in hope that the future will always be good. Anxiety sets in when what we see does not encourage this hope of a better future. This…
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God is continually at work in our souls, planting good desires and virtues. His heart is overflowing with good things for us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not your woe! Plans to give…
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My dear friends, the gospel today which presents a powerful image of Christ as the vine is very familiar to us. St. John used the image that we are familiar with so as to teach us about the mutual life and intimacy Jesus shares with us, as it exists between…
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It’s so funny how a reading can call you out. The other night I was on the phone with my Mom, and I realized that the very first thing I did was start with my complaints. I know she didn’t mind hearing them because our parents are there to listen…
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On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower…
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How blessed are we to have a caring God who stretches out his hands to protect and heal us? As I reflect on the readings of today, the theme of the outreached hand is a recurring theme. In the first reading we see how the Lord works through the “outreached hand”…
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Faith and doubt go hand in hand, seemingly. We see this in Scripture, in books, in the world around us, and most decidedly inside our inmost being. “They worshipped Him but they doubted.” Not surprising. For we are fallen creatures, our world is turned upside down. Our intellects darkened, we…
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It is wise and dutiful to alternate adequate times and spaces for rest from one’s usual routine of activities, after having dedicated oneself to a particular project or studies. Jesus proposed this idea of rest to the group of Twelve. Those called for the first time– “apostles” (Mk 6:30a). We…
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Today’s readings put things into perspective. As I stress about audience members’ responses to my academic presentation earlier today, I smile when I reflect on the Israelite’s patience. They waited 430 years for relief (Exodus 12:40), whereas I am feeling all proud-of-myself for getting over their critiques in 43 minutes!…
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