REFLECTIONS TODAY A yoke (Greek zugos) is a piece of wood placed across the necks of draft animals such as oxen or donkeys to enable a pair to pull a plow, cart, or heavy load together. As a yoke enables two to pull as one, the term also denotes a team, as in “yoke of oxen” (1 Kgs 19:19). In...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The “mighty deeds” (Greek dunameis, biblical term for “miracles”) worked out by Jesus are deeds manifesting divine power. They demonstrate that Jesus has messianic authority. More so, they are outstanding signs of the coming of the Kingdom. Thus, the proper response to the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus is not asking his disciples to junk the fourth commandment: that of honoring one’s father and mother (Dt 5:16). In fact, Jesus expressly commands his disciples to honor and support their parents and condemns those who use the law to escape from this responsibility, as in...
REFLECTIONS TODAY First Reading • Amos 7:12-15 Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos, “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” Amos...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The sparrow (Hebrew tsippor) is one of the cheapest articles sold for food, yet Jesus says that even this trifling creature is under the heavenly Father’s care. And while the strands of hair are too numerous to be counted, God has counted them all. These Semitic hyperbolic...
REFLECTIONS TODAY On entering the host’s house, the apostle must express God’s blessing upon the household in the usual greeting, Shalom aleichem (“Peace be with you”). This greeting is a wish that all may be well with the persons greeted, who must be “worthy,” that is, accept the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In view of the abundant harvest and the need for laborers, Jesus, after inviting his disciples to pray for workers, immediately provides the initial answer to the prayer by commissioning his twelve disciples to become his co-workers in the reaping. Jesus does not only share his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Perceiving the need of the people for a leader and guide, Jesus sees an opportunity: a bountiful harvest for the reaping. The harassed and helpless condition of Israel makes it ready to respond to the Gospel. “Harvest” (Hebrew qazir) is the time when God will judge the world,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the book of Numbers (15:38), the Israelites are instructed to “make tassels for the corners of their garments, fastening a violet cord to each corner.” This dangling ornament is meant to serve as a reminder of God’s presence, salvation, and commandments. In the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Mark 6:1-6 Today’s Gospel narrates the rejection of Jesus by the townspeople of Nazareth. The word Mark uses to describe the people’s reaction to Jesus is skandalon, which could be translated as “scandalized,” but is rendered here as “they would not accept...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Fasting was a recognized Jewish observance. On occasion, Jesus fasts, as in the temptation account (Mt 4:2). But Jesus regards fasting not as a required religious duty to be observed meticulously but as an expression of sorrow. He asserts the liberty of fasting when it is...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Pharisees object that Jesus has failed to meet their standards of legal purity by eating with tax collectors and sinners, including Matthew whom he has called to follow him. In reply, Jesus cites a mashal or proverb, “Those who are well do not need a physician” (v 12). He...
