REFLECTIONS TODAY Deep within us lies an existential fear of death. We dread that final moment when we must release our grip on all we possess, bid farewell to those we cherish, and cross the threshold toward the unknown. This fear drives us to do everything in our power to avoid death, or at the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Annunciation is celebrated as the First Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary. But, is it really joyful? On the surface, Archangel Gabriel’s greeting appears joyful—he proclaims Mary will bear a son, the long-awaited Messiah. Yet underlying this news lies the potential for...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The word “to please” comes from the Latin word placere, which means “to be acceptable” or “to give delight.” Having a “pleasing personality,” therefore, transcends physical beauty as it reflects an inner disposition that brings joy to others. One might possess...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In this first episode of John 6, Jesus sees the hungry multitude in front of him and challenges his disciples, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” (v 5). Philip’s retort is simply to point out the impossibility of the situation. Andrew, instead, sees a...
REFLECTIONS TODAY While Jesus’ disciples usually address him as “Teacher,” yet, for his townmates in Nazareth, he is simply the carpenter’s son, alluding to the trade of his known father, Joseph. This could give us an insight into Jesus’ growing-up years. Somehow, he must have...
REFLECTIONS TODAY John 3:16 is a familiar Johannine Gospel verse to many of us. The message about God’s great love for all, that he sends his only-begotten Son, never fails to uplift our spirits. It tells us that Jesus came not to condemn but to save us. However, today’s Gospel...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Early disciples of Jesus bear witness to an eschatological reality. Nevertheless, such reality is already realized in their life lived in common. Their shared life is a life that is born from above. Jesus’ early disciples lived a life in the Spirit. In today’s...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel passage narrates that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. But why would he come to Jesus at night? Is he afraid that other people might see him and he might be identified with Jesus who, by performing signs, ignites indignation on the part of the authorities?...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • John 20:19-31 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel passage narrates the story of the two disciples who walk to Emmaus. As they walk, Jesus draws near and walks with them. While walking together, Jesus listens to them. When they themselves listen to what Jesus has to tell them, their hearts burn...
REFLECTIONS TODAY John’s Gospel presents Mary Magdalene as the one to have first seen the risen Christ. She begins with her human eyes and ends with the eyes of faith. She wants to express her love for Jesus by going to the tomb very early in the morning. She must have only been wanting to...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • John 20:1-9 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,...
