REFLECTIONS TODAY When we think of what John did for and said about Jesus, we may consider Jesus’ words praising John in the Gospel as a form of mutual admiration. And what an honor Jesus gives to John! Imagine, of those born of women, no one is greater than John! Jesus declares that John is the...
When someone approaches us in our difficulty and says, “May I help you,” what is our usual response? It is either, “Thank you very much; so kind of you,” or “No, it’s okay, I can manage.” Perhaps it is more natural for us to project to others that we can manage life’s demands on our...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The friends of the paralytic in the Gospel are unique and both desperate and trusting. We can even say they are fools for endangering the life of their paralytic friend as well as the safety of Jesus and others in the house! In real life, we do not expect to see scenes like...
MATTHEW 1:1-8 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” / John the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The people who have heard Jesus preach and who have seen His miracles continue to ask Him for a sign. Even if Jesus considers such request deplorable and absurd, He obliges them with yet another sign. He gives them “the sign of Jonah.” This reluctant prophet of the Old...
REFLECTIONS TODAY After the death of Herod the Great, the kingdom of Israel was divided between his three sons: Herod Archelaus as ethnarch, Herod Antipater and Philip as tetrarch (ruler of a quarter), with Herod’s daughter, Salome I, as toparch (small district ruler) of Jamnia. Herod Antipas was...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus calls and sends. He commissions the Twelve to speak and act in His name. As Apostles (Greek: ἀπόστολος / apostolos = one who is sent), the Twelve are sent with His authority and power. They are to speak His words without adulterating or watering down the message....
REFLECTIONS TODAY We rejoice at the birth of Mary since she prepares for the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus the Emmanuel, God-is-with-us. Mary participates in the mystery of redemption when God is incarnated through her womb as the virgin mother. The genealogy of Jesus Christ presents...
Herod Antipas rules Israel as a “puppet king” for the Roman Empire. He manages his little world the way he wants. He obtains a quickie divorce from his wife, a foreign princess, so he can marry Herodias who, alas, is married to his brother Philip. John the Baptist speaks against the illicit...
REFLECTIONS TODAY After Jesus silences the Sadducees on the resurrection, a Pharisee questions Jesus to trap Him. Jesus is not intimidated even if the challenge is presented in bad faith, seizing it as an opportunity to teach. “You shall love the Lord, your God.” Jesus quotes Dt 6:5, drawing...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus’ disciples are thrown off guard when Jesus says that it is difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of heaven. They have always believed that wealth is a sign of God’s favor, so that rich people are thought to be guaranteed of salvation. Jesus rejects this...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Peter approached Jesus and asked Him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided...
