REFLECTIONS TODAY The international bestseller Tortured for Christ has inspired many to pray for the missionaries who go out of their way to witness to their faith in Christ “in season and out of season.” It has never been easy to “be sent,” that is, to go out and work as a messenger of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In this first part of the discourse on the Bread of Life, Jesus reveals the substance of his word and teaching as nourishment for life. In fact, he tries to convince his hearers of the continuity of God’s teaching from the time of the prophets up to his own time. He reminds...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Philip and James, like the rest of the Apostles, live and walk with Jesus. They struggle in understanding his teachings and in perceiving the fullness of his identity, hence their entreaty: “Master, show us the Father” (v 8). Jesus answers their plea by challenging their...
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 is the feast day of St. Mark. The first of the four canonical Gospel versions is attributed to him. The Synoptic Gospels tell of Jesus commissioning his disciples to go out and proclaim the Gospel (Mk 16:15-18; Mt 28:16-20; Lk 24:44-49). Matthew highlights Jesus’...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus appears to his disciples in Jerusalem. The disciples are startled and terrified, thinking that they are seeing a ghost. Jesus gives them the assurance that it is him. It is the risen Lord who always assures us that, no matter how startling and terrifying the situation...
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...
