REFLECTIONS TODAY The temple tax indicates Israel’s allegiance to God and the people’s “gift” in appreciation of what the Lord has done for them. It was required of Jewish males over age 20 for the upkeep of the sanctuary. At the restoration of the Temple after the Babylonian exile,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 12:32-48 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The transfiguration experience of the three Apostles is a momentary glimpse of Jesus’ glory that lies hidden in his humanity. It anticipates the glory that will be made manifest in his resurrection. Appearing with Jesus are two figures who had intimacy with God in their...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Matthew 16:24-28 Jesus’ singular mission is to bring humanity back to his Father’s home. He will draw all of creation to himself when he is lifted up from the earth in his resurrection (Jn 12:32). The recurring theme in the Gospel of Matthew is salvation brought...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In a world characterized by the value of honor and shame, Jesus was greatly esteemed by the people. They saw in him John the Baptist who has returned to life, Elijah who would someday return (Mal 3:23), or one of the revered prophets of old. But Peter, taught by divine revelation,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Matthew 14:22-36 Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The feeding of the people in the Old Testament illustrates God’s concern for them: Moses fed the hungry Israelites in the desert (Ex 16), Elisha satisfied a hundred men with 20 barley loaves (2 Kgs 4:42-44), and Isaiah foretold a time when God would prepare a feast of rich food...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 12:13-21 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Matthew 14:1-12 1 Herod the Tetrarch (Herod Antipas) has inherited one-fourth of the kingdom of his father, Herod the Great. He is in-charge of the region of Galilee. He hears so much about Jesus in his territory. He mistakenly believes that Jesus is John the Baptist...
REFLECTIONS TODAY There is a common opinion that Mary fares better than Martha, for we are more familiar with the story about Martha who busies herself with menial jobs, while Mary chooses to stay with Jesus to listen to his words, when he visits them at Bethany. Jesus himself affirms Mary. But in...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Commentators and preachers seldom give importance to this phrase, “when it is full...” which is in the second verse (v 48). They are more inclined to develop the first verse which is about the net catching all kinds of fish to explain the mystery of the Kingdom of heaven. ...
REFLECTIONS TODAY To explain the nature of the Kingdom of heaven, Jesus makes stories which we, “modern” people, may find senseless and hard to accept. Imagine the two parables about selling all that you have in order to have money to buy the treasure discovered in the field or to possess an...
