REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel narrates the birth and the naming of John the Baptist. Both Elizabeth and Zechariah want their son to be named John despite the fact that there is no one in their family who is called by this name. When asked by their relatives, the dumb Zechariah writes on a...
The truest joy that a person can experience is the joy that is not based on self-aggrandizement, but one that is generated by magnifying God in one’s life. Mary experiences this kind of joy as she sings the Magnificat. She bursts into song after she wholeheartedly received the good news from God...
REFLECTIONS TODAY After Mary said her Yes to God’s divine plan during the annunciation of Jesus’ birth, she sets out in haste to a town of Judah in order to visit her cousin Elizabeth and attend to her needs. The Greek expression meta spoudēs, which means “with haste,” may also mean...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today The praying of the Angelus is a beautiful part of our Catholic tradition. The prayer reminds us of the mystery of the Incarnation. The beautiful practice includes the alternate responses between the one leading the prayer and the responding people. The prayer...
REFLECTIONS TODAY John the Baptist is a character we often hear about during Advent. John’s message challenges us to put right what has gone wrong in our relationships. Today’s Gospel narrates the announcement of the birth of John. The angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth will...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today MATTHEW 1:18-24 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today It is good to reflect on God’s unconditional love on the second day of our Misa de Gallo. Today’s Gospel gives the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Intending to show the continuity of his Gospel from the Old Testament, Matthew uses the so-called tōle dōt...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the Gospel of John, Jesus is the light of the world (Jn 8:12; 9:5). Jesus is the true light who was coming into the world (Jn 1:9). In today’s Gospel, the word “light” (Greek pōti from pōs) is also attributed of John who is described as a burning and shining “lamp”...
REFLECTIONS TODAY We believe that angels guide us in our life, bringing us closer to God. The word “angel” comes from the Greek word angelos, which may also mean “messenger.” In today’s Gospel, the expression ton angelon mou (“my messenger”) is used. The expression “my messenger”...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today Today’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ role as the bringer of salvation. When the disciples of John the Baptist, sent by John himself, come to Jesus to ask him if he is the one they are expecting to come, Jesus tells them to report to John the things he is doing....
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today Today’s Gospel tells of the parable of the Two Sons. The first son says “No” to his father who requests him to work in the vineyard. Later, however, he changes his mind and goes. The second son says “Yes,” but does not go. He says, “Yes, sir!”...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today True authority comes from God and can be exercised from within. Today’s Gospel narrates Jesus’ encounter with the chief priests and the elders of the people. These people question Jesus’ authority. Since the encounter is situated in the Temple area, they...
