REFLECTIONS TODAY Luke and Matthew narrate their respective versions of the Infancy Narrative. Compared to Luke’s version, which is characterized by a joyous tone, the Matthean Infancy Narrative tells of the struggles of the Holy Family and of all those who are related to them, like the innocents...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today is the Feast of St. John. Our liturgical celebration identifies St. John as both Apostle and Evangelist. Our Catholic tradition also associates John with the Beloved Disciple mentioned in John’s Gospel, the one who inspired the writing of the said Gospel. Today’s Gospel...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Yesterday, we reflected deeply on the mystery of the Incarnation in a very joyful atmosphere. The imagery of a gentle infant beautifully laid in a manger is still fresh in our minds. Today, however, we are led to reflect on the offering of blood by St. Stephen, the first martyr...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti on Fraternity and Social Friendship — Pope Francis points out that no one is saved alone. He writes, “True, a worldwide tragedy like the Covid-19 pandemic momentarily revived the sense that we are a global community, all in the same boat, where...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel speaks of hope, which springs up from God’s tender mercy, and which is experienced not only by a few individuals, but by all the people. It is like an experience of “sunrise” or “daybreak” (anatolē). “Sunrise” is a beautiful imagery of hope used in...
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...
