REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus commends the poor widow for contributing to the Temple treasury all that she has in her pocket. Here, Jesus reminds all of us to, at least, be proportionate in giving donations. Giving so little compared to what we have received is a No, No to Jesus, not acceptable. Because,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus says this to the scribe who concurs with him as regards the greatest commandment. Love of God and neighbor is far better than burnt offerings and sacrifices. Love can be shown spontaneously anywhere, everywhere, anytime. It is not confined to the sacred precincts of the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY If a man of God acts in a strange manner, it often carries an important message or a warning. His action becomes a parable, a symbol, or a portent. Ezekiel is ordered to pack a bag for exile and dig a hole and go through it as a portent that the people of Judah would be sent to...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s readings invite us to reflect on Jesus as our High Priest, the one who offers himself as the perfect sacrifice for our salvation. In Genesis, we see Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, in obedience to God. This foreshadows Jesus, the true Lamb...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mark does not idealize the disciples. Quite often they do not understand Jesus. Up to the time Jesus travels to Jerusalem and quite plainly predicts his suffering, they still think that he will go to the holy city to be acclaimed as a political Messiah. Naturally, they hope to be...
REFLECTIONS TODAY A man who enthusiastically came to Jesus to ask how to inherit eternal life most probably expected to hear “Bravo!” that is, Jesus’ approval for a life of following the commandments. Instead— out of love for him—Jesus tells him to let go of his many possessions to find...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Pope Francis has decreed that the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, should be inscribed in the Roman Calendar on the Monday after Pentecost and be now celebrated every year. He has attentively considered how greatly the promotion of this devotion might...
REFLECTIONS TODAY First Reading • Acts 2:1-11 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, [the disciples] were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Ancient Near Eastern texts traditionally depict the king as a king-shepherd who provides for the well-being of his subjects. In the Bible, Jeremiah uses this concept as a basis to rebuke the kings of Israel for their slackness in office (Jer 2:8; 10:21). The prophet then proclaims...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Letters of John, coming from the community that produced the Gospel of John, hint of disunity in some circles of believers. Was this out of their disagreement over Jesus’ claim that his flesh is real food and his blood real drink? In the Gospel, many of Jesus’ disciples...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Despite their confession of faith and loyalty to Jesus, the disciples will be shocked by his passion. They will all scamper for their own safety. They will be scattered, abandoning Jesus. Jesus says, however, that there is one who is always faithful and true: God. In the Old...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The figure of a woman in labor is a traditional biblical metaphor used for the sufferings that will herald the joy of a new age. According to Genesis, the pain of childbearing is Eve’s punishment for eating of the “forbidden fruit” and giving it to her husband. Since it is...
