REFLECTIONS TODAY The sad story of the man who went away sad because he could not let go of his many possessions is immediately followed by Jesus’ promise of reward for those who give up their possessions to follow him. Peter speaks of “everything” (v 28) which, given their financial and...
REFLECTIONS TODAY To Jesus’ reference to the commandments in the Decalogue, the rich man responds, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth” (v 20). Does the man feel that he still has to do more to inherit “eternal life” (v 17)—a life pleasing to God and that lasts beyond...
REFLECTIONS TODAY First Reading • Dt 4:32-34, 39-40 Moses said to the people: “Ask now of the days of old, before your time, ever since God created man upon the earth; ask from one end of the sky to the other: Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard of? Did a...
REFLECTIONS TODAY By way of contrast, Mark puts the incident of Jesus blessing the children after Jesus pointed out the people’s “hardness of heart” as the reason for Moses to permit divorce. The Greek paidia (children, minors) refers not only to those young in age; they also represent mature...
REFLECTIONS TODAY On the question whether Jesus would allow divorce — Moses permitted the man to dismiss his wife—Jesus proclaims permanence of marriage to be God’s intent from the beginning. Moses’ concession, Jesus says, is given only “because of the hardness of your hearts” (v 5)....
REFLECTIONS TODAY Demons and witchcraft were integral aspects of the ancient world. Evil spells caused illness, ill fortune, and other harms to people. To counter threats, people would use protective amulets, incantations, and exorcism. Israel knew of exorcists. Jesus himself drives out demons with...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Shortly after the transfiguration event, Jesus, for the second time, predicts his passion, death, and resurrection. The Apostles seem not to pay attention; they are focused on their own interest. They begin to argue among themselves who of them is the greatest, who of them will be...
REFLECTIONS TODAY On Feb. 11, 2018, the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pope Francis decreed that the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, be inserted into the Roman Calendar on the Monday after Pentecost and be celebrated every year henceforth. Besides being the Mother of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY After his ascension to heaven, Jesus sends forth the Spirit as his first gift to the community of believers. In the First Reading we find the Apostles and other disciples huddled together, awaiting the Spirit’s coming. On the feast of Pentecost (corresponding to the Jewish feast...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospel of John ends with a description of “this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them” (v 24). It is his remembrance and perspective of Jesus that are contained in the Gospel, quite different from, but complementing, the testimony of the Synoptic...
REFLECTIONS TODAY John’s Gospel is focused almost entirely on Jesus. Less attention is given to the role of the Apostles (the Twelve) and of Simon Peter. To attune it to the accounts of the Synoptic Gospels and Acts where Peter is given a more prominent role of leadership, John’s epilogue...
REFLECTIONS TODAY When a person departs, as when a migrant worker leaves for abroad, he or she gives instructions to those he or she leaves behind, like the children who are entrusted to their guardians. At his own departure to go to the Father, Jesus gives a lengthy instruction to his disciples,...
