REFLECTIONS TODAY Using the Jewish apocalyptic imagery, Jesus speaks of the final judgment often referred to as the Day of the Lord. As the glorious Son of Man, Jesus will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, and will ask for an accounting from the “servants” — people to whom...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In John, Philip is instrumental in bringing Nathanael to Jesus (1:45). In Jesus’ choice of the Twelve (Apostles), the name Bartholomew follows that of Philip (Mt 10:3), so it is construed that Nathanael and Bartholomew could be the same person. In Jewish culture, it is customary...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the fourth woe addressed to the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus relativizes the duty of tithing in comparison to justice, mercy, and faith. While the scribes and Pharisees take pride in their giving of tithes on grain, wine, oil, and even on the tiniest herbs used for...
REFLECTIONS TODAY A s offshoot of her assumption into heaven, Mary was crowned as Queen of heaven and earth. This parallels the dignity of her Son, Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. Mary’s title is derived from her founda tional privilege as the Mother of God, as the Theotokos or...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 13:22-30 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the time of Jesus, the scribes and the Pharisees enjoyed the respect of the people for their knowledge and observance of the Law of Moses. The teacher of the Law was addressed as “Rabbi” ('my master,') from the Hebrew rab which means “great” or “distinguished.”...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Pharisees question Jesus to probe his authority as a “rabbi” to interpret rightly the Mosaic Law. As to the greatest commandment, Jesus cites two scriptural passages binding the double commandment of love — the love of God from the Shema prayer (Dt 6:4-5) and the love of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Israel, chosen from among the nations of the earth, was the first to be invited by God to the banquet, but the people ignored the invitation brought by the prophets. In the First Reading, Ezekiel laments Israel’s profanation of God’s name by the people’s evil ways while...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The rule of the game in the secular marketplace is: “Grab as much as you can and as fast as you can before the others arrive.” Competition is the driving force to gain as much profit for oneself, without much regard for those who come later or last. The evil eye of envy can...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the prior episode leading to today’s Gospel, a rich young man approaches Jesus and asks him, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” (Mt 19:16). This is the same as asking, “What good must I do to enter the Kingdom of heaven?” or “How can I be saved?”...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In his Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus (Nov. 1, 1950), Pope Pius XII declared as a divinely revealed dogma “that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory” (n...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Lk 12:49-53 Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the...
