REFLECTIONS TODAY The Beatitudes, Pope Benedict XVI writes in his book Jesus of Nazareth, “are promises resplendent with the new image of the world and of man inaugurated by Jesus, his ‘transformation of values.’ They are eschatological promises.” Being eschatological, however, does not...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospel today continues Jesus’ teaching concerning the right conduct which the invited guests and the hosts in any banquet must exercise (cf vv 7-11). Today, the Gospel tells of the proper conduct which those inviting hosts must have. Jesus teaches us the basic attitude that...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 19:1-10 On March 16, 2020, the entire Luzon island, composed of eight administrative regions, was placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or total lockdown due to Covid-19. Consequently, churches were closed and mass religious gatherings were prohibited, which...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel tells of Jesus’ parable about humility. It teaches us how we should conduct ourselves when we are being invited in any banquet. It challenges us to choose the lowest or last place (eschaton topon) instead of the “place of honor” (prōtoklisia). People tend...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Luke 6:12-16 Today we celebrate the Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude. The Gospel narrates how Jesus, after spending a night in prayer, chooses his Twelve Apostles. Among the Twelve are Simon and Jude. Jesus does not choose people having similar personalities. Rather, he...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the Gospel of Luke, Jerusalem plays an important role. It was in Jerusalem where Jesus was killed (23:33ff), and where he rose from the dead (24:1-12). It was in Jerusalem where he commissioned his disciples (24:36ff). Today’s Gospel has two parts. The first part narrates how...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel tells of the “narrow door” (stenēs thuras) and of Jesus’ teaching about salvation. There is a reference to the “narrow gate” (stenēs pulēs) in Mt 7:13-14. The narrow gate in Matthew is contrasted with the gate that is wide (plateia ē pulē —...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel narrates two parables: the parable of the Mustard Seed and the parable of the Yeast. These two parables have a parallel account in Matthew 13:31-33. Mark has only the parable of the Mustard Seed (4:30-32). In Mark and Matthew, the accounts of the parable of the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel narrates how Jesus cures a woman who has been crippled for 18 years. The synagogue leader reacts negatively about it because it happens on a Sabbath. The Sabbath is the day of rest (Gn 2:2). It must be kept holy (Ex 20:8-11). But how can one make the Sabbath holy?...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 18:9-14 The Gospel of Luke is commonly tagged as the Gospel of Prayer. In Luke 18 alone, three people are presented to be demonstrating three different ways of praying. In last Sunday’s parable, we encountered the widow who pleads for justice. Today’s Gospel presents...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel speaks of Jesus’ call to repentance and of the parable of the Barren Fig Tree. Jesus points out that the Galileans and the Jerusalemites who died tragically are not worse sinners than those listening to Jesus. The manner of death is not important. The point is...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel has two parts. The first part tells of the “signs of the times.” The second part is on how to settle with an opponent. The Gospel challenges us to everyday conversion. External things can easily be perceived. But looking into our own selves and recognizing the...
