REFLECTIONS TODAY The twin parables of Luke show how the Kingdom of God begins small and hidden, suddenly breaks forth with life, and is not confined to any single group. The contrast is between the small beginning and the impressive final result. The mustard seed is the smallest seed for the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Jews take pride in being children of Abraham to whom God gave promises and with whom God made a covenant. This paternity is not only biological but also spiritual: it connects the Israelites with God’s covenant promises to Abraham. Abraham is also the locus of bliss in the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mt 22:34-40 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them a scholar of the law tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the third group of fours in the list of the Twelve (apostles), we find Simon called a Zealot. The Greek zelotes (“zealot”) refers to one who shows zeal and enthusiasm. Simon is called by this name not just because he is a “zealous” observer of Law but, as most biblical...
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 Fire is used in Scriptures to symbolize God’s judgment where the just are purified and the evil ones destroyed (Mal 3:2-5). As metal is refined of dross by fire, so people are tested as genuine by life’s ordeals. Here, Jesus states that the purpose of his coming is...
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...
