REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel pericope belongs to the “Missionary Discourse” of Jesus. In the historical context of Jesus’ ministry, the disciples are sent (they become apostles—“those sent”) to the people of Israel. Opposition to their message comes from the religious leaders,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY First Reading • Is 9:1-6 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when...
REFLECTIONS TODAY John the Baptist is in prison because he has condemned Herod Antipas for taking Herodias, his brother’s wife, to be his own. It is often said that hell has no fury like a woman scorned; Herodias had surely a hand in John’s imprisonment. It is now Jesus’ turn to bear...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel pericope concludes Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Here, Jesus is presented as a “lawgiver” like Moses and as a “wisdom teacher.” In the perspective of Matthew, Jesus brings from the storeroom of Israel the old treasures with which he...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospel passage reminds us of Jesus’ lament over the destruction of the City of Jerusalem as punishment for not recognizing the day of his visitation. Now, it is repeated, and it is even more dramatic as it gives more details about how it will be destroyed. There will be so...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Arriving at the spot where he has a beautiful sight of the city of Jerusalem, Jesus cries instead of rejoicing. He laments over the destruction of the city, for not recognizing the time of his visitation. His presence there is his visitation. He is there to announce the good news...
REFLECTIONS TODAY After Jesus cleanses the 10 lepers, the Pharisees ask him about the coming of the Kingdom of God. He clarifies with them that it does not come about with just watching out or keeping a close observation of it. Rather, it comes about when we realize that it is present within us....
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus continues to walk to Jerusalem and great crowds go with him (Lk 14:25). Along the way, he teaches the parable of the Lost Sheep in answer to the scribes and Pharisees who object to his associating with tax collectors and sinners and eating with them. Implicitly, the scribes...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Pharisees as a whole might not like Jesus, but they have no love at all for the ruler of Galilee, the tetrarch Herod Antipas. Herod suspects Jesus to be John the Baptist redivivus—having come back to life—and so seeks every opportunity to see him—indeed to kill him, as...
REFLECTIONS TODAY People who live close to nature can tell ahead of time what the weather will be even without the use of instruments that weather bureaus use today. The Jews, Jesus says, are good at this. Interpreting the signs that nature shows, the Jews prepare for a sunny or a rainy day, a hot...
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 to test...
REFLECTIONS TODAY While Matthew’s version underlines forgiveness of transgressions in the “Lord’s Prayer” (6:14-15), Luke highlights trust and confidence. This is illustrated by the parable of a Friend Who Knocks at Midnight and Jesus’ command to ask, to seek, and knock. The parable...
