REFLECTIONS TODAY “The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle of Jesus that is recounted in all four gospels… it was seen as anticipating the Eucharist and the final banquet in the kingdom (Mt 8:11; 26:29)… it looks… to the feeding of Israel with manna in the desert at the time of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Matthew 17:1-9 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mark’s Gospel presents Herod as revering John to be a holy man. The Baptist’s execution is credited to Herodias’ own hatred and desire (6:19). In Matthew, however, the desire is Herod’s from the beginning. Herod Antipas received a quarter of his father’s (Herod the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY After hearing Jesus’ teachings, the crowds who came from all over the place are in admiring astonishment at him. In his hometown, however, the town’s folks could not believe that such powerful and gracious words come from an ordinary carpenter’s son who used to reside with...
REFLECTIONS TODAY With the use of images of what the world considers precious and worth spending one’s energy and resources just to gain them, Jesus tries to explain that the Kingdom of heaven is the greatest treasure one can find for oneself. It gives one the greatest of all joys. It even moves...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The disciples ask Jesus to explain the parable of the Weeds in the field. Jesus tells his disciples that the Devil, the enemy, is the one who sows the weeds. When it is harvest time, the weeds—sinners and evildoers—will be cut down, collected, and burned up. On the other hand,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Though, strictly speaking, the mustard seed may not be the smallest, it is, proverbially speaking. Jesus contrasts here between the “smallest of all” (seed) and the “largest of plants” (shrub) (v 32). The shrub even becomes a tree that shelters birds in its branches. This...
REFLECTIONS TODAY First Reading • 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12 The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: “O Lord, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not...
REFLECTIONS TODAY “Adulting” has become a buzzword among those transitioning from college life to work and family life. The word speaks of the shock of young people upon realizing how much effort is needed to be able to survive “real life.” The brain cannot simply process the many tasks to...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospel reading that presents the longing of prophets and righteous people in the Old Testament fits the celebration of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In giving birth to Mary, they announced the dawn of salvation which would come to fulfillment...
REFLECTIONS TODAY As it is perfectly understandable for a mother to wish the best for her children, we can easily forgive the mother of James and John for her audacity to ask Jesus for the seat of honor for them in his Kingdom. Jesus does not deny her request but asks the two brothers if they are...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Both the First Reading and the Gospel point to people voicing their doubt about God’s providence and protection. Pursued by the Egyptians, the Israelites blamed Moses for leading them out of Egypt in the first place, forgetting that it was the Lord who was leading them by his...
