REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus points out to his disciples their power to influence other believers, either for better or for worse. He exhorts them to give good example to new believers. The disciples can bring others closer to Jesus and to the heavenly Father by their good example and faithfulness to...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 20:27-38 Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mammon — money — is a reliable servant, but a cruel master. As a servant, money can provide for our needs and free us from hunger and poverty. It can bring us comfort and allow us to enjoy luxuries in life. But as a master, money can turn into an idol as it blinds us to the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The steward does not deny his wrongdoing. He sees clearly that he can no longer serve as manager. He accepts that another phase in his life is coming soon. Weighing his options, he thinks of a clever ploy. He puts himself on the good side of his master’s debtors by giving them...
The Pharisees and teachers of the Law were considered respectable members of society since they belonged to the so-called “religious elite.” They faithfully observed minute prescriptions of the Law. They took pride in being conscientious, but looked down on those outside their circle. Tax...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the parable of the Judgment of the Nations, Jesus identifies with the “last, the lost, and the least.” He became the poorest of the poor—the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, the stranger, the prisoner. One who does works of mercy towards these persons in need is...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Beatitudes, Pope Benedict XVI writes in his book Jesus of Nazareth, “are promises resplendent with the new image of the world and of man inaugurated by Jesus, his ‘transformation of values.’ They are eschatological promises.” Being eschatological, however, does not...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospel today continues Jesus’ teaching concerning the right conduct which the invited guests and the hosts in any banquet must exercise (cf vv 7-11). Today, the Gospel tells of the proper conduct which those inviting hosts must have. Jesus teaches us the basic attitude that...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 19:1-10 On March 16, 2020, the entire Luzon island, composed of eight administrative regions, was placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or total lockdown due to Covid-19. Consequently, churches were closed and mass religious gatherings were prohibited, which...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel tells of Jesus’ parable about humility. It teaches us how we should conduct ourselves when we are being invited in any banquet. It challenges us to choose the lowest or last place (eschaton topon) instead of the “place of honor” (prōtoklisia). People tend...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Luke 6:12-16 Today we celebrate the Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude. The Gospel narrates how Jesus, after spending a night in prayer, chooses his Twelve Apostles. Among the Twelve are Simon and Jude. Jesus does not choose people having similar personalities. Rather, he...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the Gospel of Luke, Jerusalem plays an important role. It was in Jerusalem where Jesus was killed (23:33ff), and where he rose from the dead (24:1-12). It was in Jerusalem where he commissioned his disciples (24:36ff). Today’s Gospel has two parts. The first part narrates how...
