Daily Reflections
We find today that the Gospel and the Second Reading from the Office of Readings (in the Liturgy of the Hours) is bringing our attention to the Magnificat. During the month of December, we have numerous opportunities to reflect on Our Lady Most Holy and Lady of Consolation. The Magnificat…
Read More
Elizabeth recalls. I had almost finished my weeping, through all the years of waiting. I held my sisters’ babes in my arms and nursed the little ones through restless nights, always ready to take my turn with the children. But month by month, year by year, I came to expect…
Read More
As we draw close to Christmas, we anticipate that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel” (Isa. 7:14), as our First Reading proclaims. Some biblical scholars argue that the Hebrew word employed in Isaiah 7:14, alma, means “young maiden,” whereas Isaiah refrains from using…
Read More
In our readings today, we are privy to the wondrous good fortune about to fall upon Zechariah, Manoah, and their barren wives. Zealous but childless, they were resigned to their fate only to find God had other plans for them, those that led them out of despair and disgrace to…
Read More
My Advent journey this year has been accompanied, inter alia, by a beautiful book entitled “AN ENCOUNTER: A Daily Discovery in Divine Word.” It was written by Fr. Maurice Nkem Emelu, who is the founder of the Gratia Vobis Ministries and the initiator of this daily reflection via email. The…
Read More
Hello, Welcome to the 3rd week of Advent, and the week of the “pink candle”. The pink represents Joy, so please have a joyful Sunday. Remain Blessed, Paul [Readings: Is 61:1-2A, 10-11; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28]
Read More
A prophet has a special role in Salvation History. His main role is to be a mouthpiece for God. In order to be effective, he must enter into the grittiness of everyday life with God’s people to wake them up and call them back. The word Advent means “coming” so…
Read More
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). God’s Commandments Some people, most times, view God’s commandments in a negative light. For such people, the commandments are sets of rules put together to entrap, cage, micromanage,…
Read More
Finding help is often difficult. Many people walk alone with problems that are facing them. No one can be found to help them deal with bad situations in their life. Isaiah quotes God in saying that He is taking hold of their hands and helping them. God tells Israel to…
Read More
In the Gospel narratives, Jesus often used parables to illustrate his teaching. As figurative language, they are used to convey deeper truths. Parables typically employ everyday situations and characters, prompting us to reflect on their relevance to our lives. As we approach Christmas, I would like to reflect today on…
Read More