REFLECTIONS TODAY The parable of the Dishonest Steward is a parody on how material wealth should be used. In the ancient world, many slave managers handle the accounts of their masters. Such stewardship is delicate because they have to balance the interest of the master and the concerns of their...
REFLECTIONS TODAY By way of metaphor, Jesus gives the reason for his mission: to bring everyone to the divine banquet. The “servant”—Jesus—is tasked to send out the invitation of a super generous host, God. He starts inviting those within the Israelite “neighborhood”—relatives,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Using the parable of the Dishonest Steward, Jesus asks his disciples to use wealth wisely. It is often said, “Money is a great servant but a bad master” (Francis Bacon). When a person puts his energies in making money and acquiring more wealth, this occupies most of his time...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mt 23:1-12 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Luke uses the context of the banquet as a kind of parable. It is a custom among the Jews and other people that distinguished guests occupy the prominent seats. Since people recline at banquets, the best couches are reserved for those closest to the host. In a society where honor...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Jews regard the seventh day or Sabbath as a day set aside for rest and worship. God commanded it to be kept holy, a day of rest as God rested from his work of creation (Gn 2:3). The Sabbath has been instituted as a perpetual covenant for the Israelites (Ex 31:13-17). Other...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The resurrection of Jesus is central to our Christian belief. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day after his death on the cross, so also all believers will rise with him on the last day in the new and glorified body. The risen Christ is the guarantor of our own...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Sermon on the Mount has often been referred as the Magna Carta of Christianity; it contains the core of the Gospel message. One who practices these teachings of the Lord is called “blessed” or “fortunate.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church (n 1968) declares: “The...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The twin parables of Luke show how the Kingdom of God begins small and hidden, suddenly breaks forth with life, and is not confined to any single group. The contrast is between the small beginning and the impressive final result. The mustard seed is the smallest seed for the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Jews take pride in being children of Abraham to whom God gave promises and with whom God made a covenant. This paternity is not only biological but also spiritual: it connects the Israelites with God’s covenant promises to Abraham. Abraham is also the locus of bliss in the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mt 22:34-40 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them a scholar of the law tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the third group of fours in the list of the Twelve (apostles), we find Simon called a Zealot. The Greek zelotes (“zealot”) refers to one who shows zeal and enthusiasm. Simon is called by this name not just because he is a “zealous” observer of Law but, as most biblical...
