REFLECTIONS TODAY After his defense of marriage, Jesus places his concern on the children; he lays his hands on them and prays for them. The children contrast especially with adults who are “hard of heart”: they are open to be taught and to be guided. Thus, they symbolize those who belong to...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Mt 19:3-12 Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus’ hyperbolic answer to Peter’s question reveals God’s attitude towards sinners. To forgive “seventy-seven times” connotes unlimited number. It runs contrary to the unlimited blood-feud retaliation in the case of Lamech who said, “If Cain is avenged seven times,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The “hour” of Jesus’ impending death would also be the “hour” of his glorification; it is the ultimate manifestation of Jesus’ selfsacrificing love that would bear the fruit of redemption. For his life-giving death, Jesus uses the imagery of a single “seed” (his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 In posing the disciples’ question, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” Matthew invites the readers to pay attention to community relations, where everyone is deemed equal to others in the eyes of God. The child is presented as...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The temple tax indicates Israel’s allegiance to God and the people’s “gift” in appreciation of what the Lord has done for them. It was required of Jewish males over age 20 for the upkeep of the sanctuary. At the restoration of the Temple after the Babylonian exile,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 12:32-48 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The transfiguration experience of the three Apostles is a momentary glimpse of Jesus’ glory that lies hidden in his humanity. It anticipates the glory that will be made manifest in his resurrection. Appearing with Jesus are two figures who had intimacy with God in their...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Matthew 16:24-28 Jesus’ singular mission is to bring humanity back to his Father’s home. He will draw all of creation to himself when he is lifted up from the earth in his resurrection (Jn 12:32). The recurring theme in the Gospel of Matthew is salvation brought...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In a world characterized by the value of honor and shame, Jesus was greatly esteemed by the people. They saw in him John the Baptist who has returned to life, Elijah who would someday return (Mal 3:23), or one of the revered prophets of old. But Peter, taught by divine revelation,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Matthew 14:22-36 Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The feeding of the people in the Old Testament illustrates God’s concern for them: Moses fed the hungry Israelites in the desert (Ex 16), Elisha satisfied a hundred men with 20 barley loaves (2 Kgs 4:42-44), and Isaiah foretold a time when God would prepare a feast of rich food...
