REFLECTIONS TODAY By saying that the sins of the paralytic are forgiven, Jesus proclaims that spiritual healing goes with and is even more important than physical healing. He shows himself capable of both. Many Catholic shrines display signs of physical healing, the most impressive of them are the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The curious thing about today’s Gospel is the townspeople’s insistence that Jesus leave their town. If Jesus cured two demoniacs, shouldn’t they be insisting that he stay to show him their gratitude? The solution to this enigma lies in understanding the economic activity of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY We normally wish that all things would go smoothly according to plan. Imagine how convenient life would be if everything turns out as we hope they will. However, life has a way of shaking things up. The boat we are in, much like the boat of Jesus’ disciples, is rocked by...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Certain sects which reject the divinity of Jesus have a strange way of interpreting Thomas’ exclamation, “My Lord and my God!” (v 28). They claim that this is a mere interjection: words one utters when one is shocked, surprised, or at the height of emotion. The Catholic...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Matthew 10:37-42 The First Reading narrates the story of the kindness of the woman from Shunem. When she had a room built for the prophet Elisha, the prophet rewarded her with the promise of a son she and her husband had long longed for. They were rewarded by God for their...
REFLECTIONS TODAY What is admirable of the centurion is his absolute trust that Jesus can command the cure of his servant. He likens Jesus’ power to the surety that his household slaves and military subordinates will obey his order. Surely, Jesus is more powerful; a mere “word” from him will...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In biblical times, lepers were isolated out of fear of physical and ritual contagion. Though less contagious than the viral diseases like Covid-19, leprosy was as much dreaded by the community. In the Gospel, a leper breaks the imposed “social distancing” to approach Jesus and...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today we celebrate the martyrdom of the two pillars of the Church, the apostles Peter and Paul, whose blood together with other Christian martyrs has become the seed of Christianity. The Church stands on the “rock foundation” of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the Gospel, Jesus warns the people of false prophets who may appear meek as sheep but in reality are wild as wolves. In addition, Jesus uses the analogy of grapes as good trees that bear good fruit, and thornbushes as bad trees that produce only thistles. He uses this image to...
REFLECTIONS TODAY There are important lessons we can learn from the “Golden Rule” as enunciated in a positive way by Jesus. We are reminded of the prudence and appropriateness necessary in living with one another. Our actions speak of who we are, and our words express what is in our heart. The...
REFLECTIONS TODAY “Stop judging, that you may not be judged” ((v 1) is one of the most popular lines in the Gospel. Here Jesus strongly reminds the people to refrain from passing judgment on others. How commonplace it is for people to see the faults of others rather than their own. Jesus...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mt 10:26-33 Jesus said to the Twelve: “Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who...
