REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus focuses on the receptivity of the hearers of God’s word. The Kingdom of heaven is a precious gift that is given to everyone, but its power to change lives depends also on the dispositions of the hearers. When the Word of God is received with faith, it takes root into the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY There are many differences between childish and childlike attitudes. “Childish” behavior is seen in an adult who acts annoyingly and immaturely, incommensurate with his or her age, with self-centered, petulant, irresponsible, and reckless conduct. “Childlikeness,” on the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Twelve disciples are now referred to as “Apostles” as Jesus sends them to preach the coming of the Kingdom of God. They are given the authority to cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons—signs that the Kingdom of God has come upon people. These...
REFLECTIONS TODAY John the Baptist’s disciples compare themselves with Jesus’ own disciples on the matter of fasting. John lives an austere life, “neither eating nor drinking” (Mt 11:18), that is, eating sparingly, and this robs on his disciples who fast more than is required in the Torah....
REFLECTIONS TODAY Our Gospel today reminds us that external acts of piety (no matter how consistent) do not guarantee us a share in the Kingdom of God. What does is the ability to do the will of God, to live out one’s faith in daily actions in obedience to God’s commands. Yes, it is possible...
REFLECTIONS TODAY It is natural for us to pray for people who are close to us: our family members, relatives, and friends. But it is also good to widen the scope of our prayers to include even those who are outside of our familial circles. Jesus, in the same priestly prayer in John 17, also prays...
REFLECTIONS TODAY First Reading • Acts 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In this interesting episode, we see the interaction between Jesus and his disciples who are gripped with fear because of the impending departure of their Master. They cannot understand what he is saying, and they are upset by the time element of the whole process of suffering...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospel today gives the concrete foundation and application of the abiding relationship of “vine and branches” pronounced by Jesus earlier. The foundation of mutual indwelling is none other than love, a word repeated no less than five times in these short verses. Jesus...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The international bestseller Tortured for Christ has inspired many to pray for the missionaries who go out of their way to witness to their faith in Christ “in season and out of season.” It has never been easy to “be sent,” that is, to go out and work as a messenger of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In this first part of the discourse on the Bread of Life, Jesus reveals the substance of his word and teaching as nourishment for life. In fact, he tries to convince his hearers of the continuity of God’s teaching from the time of the prophets up to his own time. He reminds...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Philip and James, like the rest of the Apostles, live and walk with Jesus. They struggle in understanding his teachings and in perceiving the fullness of his identity, hence their entreaty: “Master, show us the Father” (v 8). Jesus answers their plea by challenging their...
