REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus makes a stark comparison. Both the scribes and the widow practice religion but with different perspectives. The religion of the scribe is self-serving. The widow practices a genuine piety which spirit is described in today’s First Reading: “Prayer and fasting are good,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The scribes taught that the Messiah was to be the son of David. During Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem the people acclaimed Jesus as the son of David. How could Jesus be both the son of David and the LORD of David? As Jesus’ opponents repeatedly try to “trip him up” with their...
REFLECTIONS TODAY REFLECT The commandment to love one’s neighbor is from Lv 19:18. It is in keeping with the law and prophets, both of which emphasize right relationships with people as well as with God. Jesus calls us to balance these two great commandments. The person who loves God but does not...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Sadducees’ question to Jesus tries to prove the absurdity of the resurrection. When the seven brothers and the one woman are resurrected, whose wife will she be? The Sadducees are assuming that resurrection will just be a continuation of this present life. But Jesus informs...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Pharisees and Herodians are flattering and courteous but they mean to trap Jesus. They are not interested in the truth. If Jesus affirms Roman taxation, he risks criticism from his followers who regard the Romans as oppressors. If he rejects it, he will face charges of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today is the Feast of the Visitation. From Nazareth, Mary visits her kinswoman Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea, in a place known today as the Ein Kerem or the “Spring of the Vineyard.” Today’s Gospel narrative appears to frame Mary’s song of the Magnificat. The song...
REFLECTIONS TODAY MATTHEW 28:16-20 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and...
REFLECTIONS TODAY James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come to Jesus requesting for privileged positions reserved for the great ones since what they expect Jesus to have are political authority and earthly glory. Jesus corrects their way of thinking. The other ten become indignant of James and John...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In today’s Gospel, Peter declares that they, the disciples, have given up everything and followed Jesus. One’s capacity to give up everything to become a disciple is in itself a gift from God. How is it possible for someone to give up the former way of life for the sake of the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel has three parts: Jesus’ mother and the Beloved Disciple standing underneath the cross, the death of Jesus, and the piercing of Jesus’ side. On the cross, Jesus “handed over” (parédōken) the spirit, which may mean the passing on of his mission to his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY JOHN 20:19-23 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The...
REFLECTIONS TODAY While attention is given to Peter being entrusted with the care of Jesus’ flock, at the background stands a figure as important as Peter, even more important for the community that gave origin to the Fourth Gospel. He is known as the Beloved Disciple. He is said to be the...
