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No one can know the day or time of the Lord’s coming for us. Therefore, Jesus says, be ready at all times, be true and faithful in the service of the Lord, be honest and courageous in turning to him for forgiveness and mercy. Jesus called blessed the servant whom…

Jesus condemns the so-called leaders and scholars of the religious tradition. They preach one thing and do another. They find excuses for themselves and load burdens on the simple people. They profess to know the will of God, yet act according to their own wishes and designs. May the Lord…

A warning from the Lord Jesus. Obedience and service must be accompanied by sincere dedication of the heart to serve the Lord. Substituting trivia for real obedience and acceptance of the Lord’s will easily ruins the prayer and petition addressed to Him. The important thing about the Our Father, for…

In this Gospel account, Jesus condemns the hypocrites who claim they know how to arrange for God’s blessing on their works and persons. A pure and clean heart, Jesus says, will serve the Lord and revere the love God has for us and our response. Lord, let me proclaim your…

Jesus is asked, “Which commandment in the law is the greatest?” His answer: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself!” Lord, we thank you for making your divine law, even the smallest part, available to…

Jesus presents us with material for reflection: what is characteristic of the Kingdom of Heaven? How can we imagine it? Jesus offers us a reflection: think of who and how many of the specially chosen are invited, and the number who will refuse the invitation. God will then invite all…

Is not the Lord free to give those who serve him whatever he wishes? Perhaps he has rewarded me with peace and promise of salvation. Perhaps he has given even more to that person across the street. But it is my salvation, my gift, my hope that matter. The Lord…

Jesus warns us that misuse of wealth can make entrance into his kingdom difficult, if not impossible. Hoarding and selfishness are contrary to the message of care, mercy, and sympathy that he has often stressed. The reward for observing this challenge of concern for more than just oneself will be…

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter…

A young man asked Jesus what he must do to attain eternal life. Jesus gave him a list of the Commandments as the basis for his search. The young man simply commented that he had observed these all his life. Then came the invitation from Jesus to him: “Go. sell…

We remember this day the role of Mary in the life of Jesus and his teaching. We recall his birth, her care and protection of him as an infant, her protection of him. She and Joseph raised him in the traditions of heroes of their past, encouraged him in his…

How often should we forgive other people who have offended us? Jesus will not deal with numbers in this fashion. Forgiveness for ourselves from the Lord God is without limit or number. We cannot measure the sincerity of heart needed for granting forgiveness, the mercy of the Lord God in…

Today’s gospel offers advice on dealing with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for grace to handle disagreements with charity and friendship, and use other means only if necessary. Above all, we are to remember, as Jesus said, “”if two of you agree on earth about anything and for…

The gospel reading today presents Jesus surrounded by little children, who in their innocence and charm find him a wonderful person to be with. He suggests to us that we should recognize the innocence and simplicity of love and being loved that characterizes children like these. As they trust, enjoy,...

A charming little story in Matthew’s gospel account. A narrative almost like folk lore. The temple upkeep tax was a burden imposed by their own religious authorities, pleasant to no one, but whose importance was recognized. Jesus must pay the tax, but his followers tell us that he used lake…

“Take up your Cross”, says Jesus. “Carry your responsibility to yourself and those whom you love, not matter how burdensome it may seem at times. Seek the important things in your life, matters that mean so much in your own happiness and sense of duty.” Come, Lord Jesus, come and…

Who do people say Jesus really is? A prophet or fortune teller? A special messenger from the Lord? Not only a special messenger, but the Son of the living God. Blessed are we if we believe and live that belief. Peter is praised for his proclamation of the works of…

The images are in every sense spectacular and revealing, if only for a short moment, who Jesus really is. The blazing of the glorious heavens in his eyes, the brilliant light and the sudden appearance of the Lord’s servants, Moses and Elijah, personifications of the Law of the Lord and…

A religious dispute occurs between Jesus and the leading Pharisees who considered themselves authorities on the Law of the Lord. Eating food before performing a cleansing ritual was to these Pharisees an insult to the law of the Lord. Jesus will have none of it. Evil, he states, comes not…

Jesus is on the lakeshore in the midst of a fearful and violent thunderstorm. His disciples are out on the water, hanging on to the boat, terrified. Suddenly Jesus is present to them, walking on the water. Peter tries to come to Jesus, but begins to sink and can only…

The ordinary home town people in Jesus’ time were amazed at the wisdom of his teaching. After all, they knew him as one of their own, the son of Joseph the carpenter. He lived next door, so where did he get such learning and voice of authority? Matthew’s Gospel informs…

I thank you, Holy Spirit, for being with me at this moment. You have helped me to see something in the words of Jesus that I had not seen before. He spoke of how those instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven are like those who bring from their storeroom both…

Jesus, although the peace and wholeness characteristic of your kingdom is hidden, it can be found. That’s been the whole focus of all my prayer to you…to have you help me look beyond the ordinary and everyday things and see how it all ties together to bring us closer to…

My prayer today, my Lord, is very simple. Just two petitions. First, please help me to remember that the more I complain, the more I limit my ability to see the blessings in my life. Second – and I’m not sure how to phrase this – I really want to…

Jesus, I thank you for one of the great privileges and joys of my life, namely the ability to plant seeds that grow into extraordinary blessings for countless people. I think, for example, of the power of one well-placed and heartfelt “thank you.” It brightens the recipient’s day. That in…

Jesus, I just loved how you handled James, John, and their Mom. They were “oh great!” one moment, and “oh no” the next moment. Sure we can drink the cup, they said. Great! No problem. But then to hear that they would drink the cup, but not necessarily get the…

I find myself sitting back and thinking of your concluding words in today’s Gospel, Jesus. When I was growing up, all the readings at Mass were in Latin. We understood none of it. We were not encouraged to study the Bible. And this was the case for hundreds of years…

God, my Father, our Father, I never cease to be in awe at the miracle of seeds. Driving through the countryside, seeing the crops growing to maturity, knowing that from one seed comes many…the miracle of it all is sometimes too much to take in. Even more amazing to me…

What will it be like to hear my name spoken by you, Jesus? Given your immeasurable love for me, it has to be an experience totally unlike any other in this world. I remember those special instances in life where the sound of my name made my heart leap: the…

“Don’t confuse me with the facts, Jesus.” That’s the first thing I thought of as I pondered your word to us this day. I’m not speaking for myself…it’s just my reaction to those who kept demanding a sign from you. As if all your miracles weren’t enough?! But I should…