REFLECTIONS TODAY Spiritual masters often repeat that humility is the mother of all virtues. It is only when we recognize our true diminutive stature before God that we realize our dependence on him. When we perceive ourselves as we are, as human beings made out of dust, we come to terms of our own...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Ambition is a “master” that stunts the growth and maturity of his “slaves.” Jesus, the real Master, does not lose his patience and shows his disciples the “antidote” to the venom of ambition. He takes a “paradigmatic” personage to bring home the point: He calls a...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the Gospel pericope, we are presented with a cluster of teachings of Jesus addressed to his disciples and the believing community at large. The sayings are all consistent with the mandate given by Jesus earlier, that his followers become the “last of all and the servant of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The second prediction of the passion starts with a seeming moment of triumph: all are amazed at Jesus’ every action, especially at his power to expel demons and bring health and well-being. But Jesus, as if pouring cold water upon the enthusiasm of his disciples, takes this...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Luke takes pains to recount that the important moments in Jesus’ life are preceded by prayer. In this episode, before he sets his face towards Jerusalem (9:51), Jesus talks to his Father in earnest, after which he makes some kind of evaluation of his ministry and asks his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The enigma of Jesus continues to haunt people. This time it is Herod who is intrigued by Jesus, and in his curiosity he tries to “label him,” comparing him to John the Baptist or to one of the prophets of old. But is his desire to see and understand Jesus a sincere one? ...
REFLECTIONS TODAY It is “practicum time” for the Twelve Apostles as Jesus Master sends them out to do what he does: bring the Good News, accompanied by works of expelling demons and curing diseases. In order to do this effectively, the Apostles have to shed off all possible encumbrances....
REFLECTIONS TODAY We hear a beautiful lesson on kinship from the mouth of Jesus. This is not to disdain the value of blood relationship. It is Jesus’ way, rather, to redefine what binds us together in the great family of God: hearing the Word of God and acting on it. Sometimes we are...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The light of God’s word is a precious treasure which we need to share generously with others. Its influence in our lives must be made manifest through words of kindness, acts of care and concern for others. The more we listen to God’s word and apply it to our life situations,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus recognizes the difficulty of his disciples, their slowness in understanding. In the face of their obtuseness, Jesus continues to be a patient Teacher. Drawing close to them, he finds out why they cannot pay complete attention to his words. It is because they have other...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Matthew’s religious experience is the foundation of his vocation to discipleship. In this autobiographical episode, Matthew himself narrates how he meets Jesus, unexpectedly: in his work desk as a tax collector. Jesus calls him, and he follows immediately. But soon after, it is...
REFLECTIONS TODAY It is heartwarming how Luke mentions the women disciples as participants in Jesus’ proclamation of the Gospel, side by side with the Twelve. These women have the common characteristic of being “liberated” by Jesus from various suffering, empowering them now to be...
