Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time – Saint John of the Cross poetically summarized the message of today’s Gospel when he said: “In the evening of life we will be judged by how we have loved.” When all is said and done, how well we have loved each other will be the true measuring stick. I …
We are not here to impress one another but to love one another. Pope Francis reminds us that the path of the Lord is a road of humility. In other words, imitate Jesus. Notice how he treated everyone with the same respect and love: the blind man at Jericho, the woman at the well, the …
This story tells us so much about Jesus. It shows us the serenity with which Jesus met life. There is nothing more trying than to be under constant and critical scrutiny. There is none which causes more pain and heartbreak. Yet Jesus remained serene. It also shows us that Jesus did not reject the hospitality …
Saints Simon and Jude, pray for us – It might we good on this feast of Sts. Simon and Jude that we celebrate our being called to be ambassadors for Christ. Just think of how much we can accomplish in a day by the quality of our presence to one another. Our ministry of presence …
The narrow door to God is difficult to enter. It is the way of limitless love, unconditional forgiveness, sacrificial selflessness. It can only be entered by letting go of our control, our pride, our self-absorption, our cynicism. But Jesus promises that anyone willing to struggle through the narrow door will be welcomed into the eternal …
Luke is making very clear here the imperfections that one will find in the Kingdom of God. Jesus turns over old expectations of what pure and noble religion is. This king is born in a Bethlehem stable, not a Jerusalem palace. This king enters Jerusalem on a donkey, not a chariot pulled by horses. This …
What hypocrisy to have more regard for a thirsty ox than a crippled woman. This is a lesson for us about priorities and God’s work. We should worship and attend to the rites of worship but sometimes we become more perturbed over formal correctness and change than the crying needs of others around us. We …
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Insight is vastly different from physical sight. Insight involves a deeply intuitive yet accurate understanding of something or someone. Jesus’ life and teachings are available to almost everyone who cares to learn of him. But you, as an individual person, may have insight into Jesus’ deeper meaning for your …
St. John of Capistrano, pray for us – In our materialistic society, we think of privilege in terms of money, rank, and position. We are, indeed a very privileged people but what are we producing? Might the parable of the fig tree be addressed to us? The people in today’s gospel looked at their fortunate …
St. John Paul II, pray for us – Are we aware of the presence or the absence of God in our midst? When we observe injustice in the business arena, we are called upon to speak out. When we see despair in the lives of others, we are challenged to provide some measure of comfort. …
