REFLECTIONS TODAY It is hurting to hear such words from a friend or a teacher to whom you want to get close. Yet, these are the words of the bridegroom to the foolish virgins (bridesmaids) who are assigned to welcome him but fail to prepare sufficient oil for the night. They did not give allowance...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Chapter 24 of Matthew’s Gospel is called the discourse on the “end times” since it deals with the coming of the new age (the eschaton) in its fullness, with events that will precede it, and with how the disciples are to conduct themselves while waiting for this event. Jesus...
REFLECTIONS TODAY With the last two of the seven woes, today’s Gospel ends the narrative part in Matthew where the scribes and the Pharisees are denounced by Jesus. While there is an established tradition of a deep opposition between Jesus and the Pharisees, the narrative reflects the bitter...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Besides Jesus and Mary, John the Baptist is the only other person whose birthday and day of death are liturgically marked by the Church. Today we read the account of his martyrdom in Mark’s Gospel. Along with the other evangelists, the first-century Jewish historian Josephus...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The “woe” phrases in the Bible are often uttered in prophetic and apocalyptic literature. They denounce sin and caution those who commit it of future punishment. Jesus’ woe pronouncements criticize the Pharisees for hypocrisy and falsehood. He describes their piety as...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mt 16:13-20 Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus warns the people and his followers about the scribes and the Pharisees who are guilty of insincerity. The Jewish religious leaders advertise their righteous deeds and dress themselves in clothes and ornaments to look spiritual. They love public recognition and aim for the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospels often refer to the Sadducees and the Pharisees having conflict with and testing Jesus. Both were religious sects within Judaism during Jesus’ time. Both groups honored Moses and the Law. Both had a measure of political power. The importance of the commandments...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today we honor St. Bartholomew. His name means “Son of Tolmai.” The Bartholomew of Matthew, Mark, and Luke describes the man known in the Gospel of John as Nathanael. Bartholomew is often paired with Philip. They could have already been old friends when Jesus came and...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Can we allow God to be so good to everyone? The parable of the Workers in the Vineyard highlights that we do not earn God’s graciousness and generosity. It is a pure act of benevolence on God’s part. God’s love is unconditional; it depends on him, not on our good works. When...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s feast of the Queenship of Mary is celebrated on the octave of the feast of the Assumption and a logical consequence of it. Pope Pius XII who established the feast in 1954 points out that Mary deserves the title because of her close association with Jesus’ redemptive...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Possessions are not bad in themselves. A person needs them to survive. But when one makes them the center of everything, a threat arises to hinder us from achieving a meaningful sense of happiness. The young man certainly looks for something more than having wealth and following...
