REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today MARK 10:35-45 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus repeatedly speaks of his power to forgive sins: “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Lk 5:24; Mt 9:6-8). He has also entrusted the same power to his disciples/apostles: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today The leaven of the Pharisees — their hypocrisy — will not remain hidden; it will be uncovered someday. On the other hand, the truth about Jesus and his message will be proclaimed “on the housetops.” Nothing is hidden from God; there is no hiding from him....
REFLECTIONS TODAY Solomon is the epitome of the wise person in the Bible. When, as a young king, he asked the Lord for an understanding heart to judge the Israelites and to distinguish right from wrong, God was pleased to give him a wise and understanding heart greater than any human person’s....
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today Mk 10:17-30 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today Jesus declares that he casts out demons by the “finger of God,” that is, by the power of God that he possesses as Son of God. While Jewish exorcists call on God with prayers and rituals to cast out demons, Jesus does it by mere command. But more important...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today The emphasis in the Lord’s Prayer in Luke is confidence in the heavenly Father’s goodness to his children. This is illustrated in the parable of a friend who knocks at midnight. In Eastern cultures, hospitality is a paramount duty. Because of the strong sense...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Lucan version of the Lord’s Prayer stresses the fatherhood of God to whom the faithful turns for daily sustenance, forgiveness, and deliverance from the final test (Lk 11:4). Jesus teaches his disciples to address God as Abba/Father, much like a child who depends on him for...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today In the sisters Martha and Mary, we have a twofold expression of hospitality:Care for the person’s needs, and attention to the person. Where there is balance of action and contemplation, real communication of love happens. Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today For a Jew, neighbor means ethnic relationship, a fellow Israelite, or one who shares the same religion. But for Jesus, “becoming a neighbor” to someone goes beyond familial “flesh and blood” relationship; it is expansive and inclusive to all. If God can...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today MARK 10:2-16 The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Reflections today Ancient kingdoms often had “guardians” placed on the gates of their cities or temples. These took the form of winged beasts, with the head of a bearded sphinx. For believers, angels are “ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to...
