REFLECTIONS TODAY Sometimes, to get to the message of Jesus, we do not just take his words at their plain meaning but as words said with humor with an acid touch. For example, what does his advice about being brought before a magistrate mean? Here is a picture of a clear miscarriage of justice...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In former days in the Philippines, landed people like the hacienderos had numerous servants. Usually, these servants were put under the charge of the head servant or mayordomo (“head of the house”). The head servant was entrusted by the master of the house with management of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the social structure of Jesus’ time, the slave or servant cannot hope to be on equal footing with his master. Jesus himself describes how a servant, after plowing the field or tending the sheep, is expected to prepare and serve his master’s meal. The master is not...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The “fool” (Greek aphron) is not so much a person who is deficient in learning as someone wanting in wise and understanding heart that is attuned to God. He lives only for himself. The psalmist says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ Their deeds are...
REFLECTIONS TODAY First Reading • Is 45:1, 4-6 Thus says the Lord to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, opening doors before him/ and leaving the gates unbarred. For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel my...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus assures his disciples that if they must stand trial for their faith before Jewish or pagan courts, the Holy Spirit will provide for their defense. The Spirit is the Paraclete sent by Jesus, the advocate, the helper, the “Spirit of truth” bearing witness to Jesus...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Scriptures see the human being as an embodied spirit. When a man dies, his body decays, but something of him exists: his psyche (translated as “life” or “soul”). There is death which is the end of existence on earth; there is also the “second death” which is the end of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Luke 10:1-9 The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Being close to poor folks and those considered as sinners does not make Jesus shun the company of the more respectable in society. In the Gospel, he sits at table as guest of a Pharisee. To the Pharisees, ritual cleanliness is very important; a person must wash his hands...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Many people in the crowd are not content with the miracles (“signs”) done by Jesus. They do not undergo repentance (metanoia), as their hearts remain unchanged. A “sign” is an action or event whose presence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Matthew 22:1-14 [or 22:1-10] Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Beelzebul or Beelzebub is a name derived from a Philistine god, formerly worshiped in Ekron, and later adopted in the Bible as a major demon (2 Kgs 1:2-3). The name Beelzebul is associated with the Canaanite god Baal. Luke simply uses the name as synonym for Satan. The...
