REFLECTIONS TODAY The sparrow (Hebrew tsippor) is one of the cheapest articles sold for food, yet Jesus says that even this trifling creature is under the heavenly Father’s care. And while the strands of hair are too numerous to be counted, God has counted them all. These Semitic hyperbolic...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Matthew 10:16-23 The Bible refers to sheep more than 500 times, with specific terms indicating types on the basis of age, sex, and breed; in the Hebrew Scriptures most references are literal, while most in the New Testament are metaphorical. Domestic sheep...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In view of the abundant harvest and the need for laborers, Jesus, after inviting his disciples to pray for workers, immediately provides the initial answer to the prayer by commissioning his twelve disciples to become his co-workers in the reaping. Jesus does not only share his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Perceiving the need of the people for a leader and guide, Jesus sees an opportunity: a bountiful harvest for the reaping. The harassed and helpless condition of Israel makes it ready to respond to the Gospel. “Harvest” (Hebrew qazir) is the time when God will judge the world,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the book of Numbers (15:38), the Israelites are instructed to “make tassels for the corners of their garments, fastening a violet cord to each corner.” This dangling ornament is meant to serve as a reminder of God’s presence, salvation, and commandments. In the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Mark 6:1-6 Today’s Gospel narrates the rejection of Jesus by the townspeople of Nazareth. The word Mark uses to describe the people’s reaction to Jesus is skandalon, which could be translated as “scandalized,” but is rendered here as “they would not accept...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Fasting was a recognized Jewish observance. On occasion, Jesus fasts, as in the temptation account (Mt 4:2). But Jesus regards fasting not as a required religious duty to be observed meticulously but as an expression of sorrow. He asserts the liberty of fasting when it is...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Pharisees object that Jesus has failed to meet their standards of legal purity by eating with tax collectors and sinners, including Matthew whom he has called to follow him. In reply, Jesus cites a mashal or proverb, “Those who are well do not need a physician” (v 12). He...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In John’s Gospel, Nathanael initially refuses to believe when Philip tells him that they have found the Messiah in Jesus from Nazareth. After all, “nothing good” comes out from that obscure village (1:45-46). Like Nathanael, Thomas exhibits an initial skepticism which...
REFLECTIONS TODAY This phrase translates the Greek word oligopistoi. Implicit in this word’s use is the statement: You are terrified because your faith is so little. Surely, faith here is considered not in terms of size but in terms of intensity or quality. Oligopistoi is Matthew’s...
REFLECTIONS TODAY A scribe, one who knows the Torah of Moses, approaches Jesus with a request to follow him. His case is quite different from that of the other disciples whom Jesus personally calls. Elsewhere, Jesus says, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Mark 5:21-43 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him,...
