Daily Reflections
On his first catechesis on the Church, Pope John Paul II recalls that “the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed says: “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” This creed, like its antecedent, the Apostles’ Creed, straightaway connects the truth about the Church with the Holy Spirit: “I believe in the Holy…
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“You did not choose Me, but I chose you so that you may go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last,” John 15:16 Today’s gospel from Mark 3 tells us that Jesus spent the night with His Heavenly Father in prayer before calling out twelve of His disciples to…
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The mission of Jesus is defined by his very name: God Saves. That is the name ordained from on high, and scripture records both Mary and Joseph getting the same memo: You are to name him Jesus. Luke 1:31 and Matthew 1:21 Today we are reminded that we can always…
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Jesus or Melchizedek? The first reading of today (Hebrews 7:1-3; 15-17) presents us with the mysterious figure of Melchizedek (king of Salem and priest of God Most High). Interestingly, we can ask ourselves whether Jesus, who is the eternal High Priest, is a priest in the likeness of Melchizedek, or…
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“And so, after patiently waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.” (Hebrews 6:14-15) In today’s reading to the Hebrews, Abraham’s response to God’s promise “to bless and multiply him” strikes me and brings a sense of longing into my heart. To see an example of such simplicity, reflected in Abraham’s patient waiting,…
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Fasting and feasting might be considered opposites, but they are also linked in a beautiful way. In today’s Gospel, when questioned, Jesus points this out to the people. Coming out of the Christmas season, no doubt we have plenty of experience with feasting. Not only did we enjoy a wonderful…
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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). The Servant of Yahweh The first reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah talks about the servant of Yahweh through whom the Lord will manifest his glory…
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Jesus calls the least likely person to follow him by his choice of a tax collector. As a tax collector under the hire of the Roman occupation force, Levi was not permitted to enter a synagogue nor to go up to the temple. He was banished from social contact with…
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The mention of the city of Capernaum at the beginning of today’s Gospel by Mark is quite significant. It helps to set the context of his narrative. Capernaum means “Village of comfort.” It is a city where Jesus preached most of his missions accompanied by great signs (Cure of a…
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Isolation and Desolation We are probably coming out of the recent Covid pandemic. For two years we experienced uncertainty at the hands of the virus. We spoke of it as if it was a living organism that we could kill. Viruses are not living agents – yet they can kill…
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