Daily Reflections
But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him. From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” Mk 7:20-23 “Thus, He declared all foods…
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Today, we commemorate the optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes. This day also holds profound significance as the 33rd World Day of the Sick. This global event draws pilgrims from all corners of the world to the French town of Lourdes. There, they seek Mary’s intercession for…
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The first words of the Bible unfurl the story of our world like the notes of a symphony: “In the beginning.” If we take time to listen, a singular picture of reality comes into view, unlike that of any other religion. These opening words in Genesis place us at that…
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The Lake of Gennesaret, aka The Sea of Galilee, is also known by another name. It is believed that Herod Antipas in his efforts to ingratiate himself to the Roman Emperor, Tiberius Caesar, renamed it the Sea of Tiberius, after which it was forbidden to call the lake by any…
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The last segment of today’s gospel (Mark 6, 30-34; 34,) reads: “his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” The first reading (Hebrews 13, 15-17, 20-21), already opens up the themes where Jesus is…
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John the Baptist was a man that easily stood out from the crowd. He was a powerful preacher that spoke of a coming Messiah that would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He lived in the desert and survived on locusts and wild honey. Today’s Gospel recalls that, despite…
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Catholics are being criticized for their devotion to the angels and the saints. Non-Catholics do not understand why anyone should ask the angels or the saints to intercede for them since Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. The first reading of today explains to us why we…
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When I was a kid, I received a lot of corrections from my parents, especially from my mother. Evidently, I did not like to be corrected or to be told “no”. I remember that one time (I must have been seven or eight years old), after receiving a strong correction…
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In today’s Gospel, I hear God the Father speaking through Christ to us, His Daughters, and Sons, both then and now. In His encounters with the man and the woman, the Lord’s words of love are those of the Father for His children. A Woman and Jairus Amidst the crowds,…
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Years ago, I engaged in a heated game of ultimate frisbee. During the match, one of the veteran players had the reputation for sprinting down the field, frisbee in hand, while crying aloud: “How much do you want it!?” Again and again, he’d shout throughout the game, “How much do…
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