Maurice Blumberg is a Jewish convert to the Catholicism, and the father of five children. He is currently the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the Military, Prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men and was Chairman of the Board of The Word Among Us, a Catholic devotional magazine.
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalm 145: 2-3,8-9,17-18; Philippians 1:20-24,27; Matthew 20:1-16) Knowing and Doing the Will of Our Heavenly Father “Which of the two did his father’s will?” (Matthew 21:31). This is a familiar story. A father sends each of his two sons to work in his vineyard. The […]
With my own voice I will call out to the LORD, and he will answer me from his holy mountai. (Psalm 3:5). Now the people complained bitterly in the hearing of the LORD; and when Moses heard it his wrath flared up, so that the LORD’s fire burned among them and consumed the outskirts of […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalm 145: 2-3,8-9,17-18; Philippians 1:20-24,27; Matthew 20:1-16) The Importance of Knowing and Experiencing the Grace of God “The last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16) These words can have a number of different meanings. For instance, we look at […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Sirach 27:30–28:7; Psalm 103:1-4,9-12; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35) Forgiving One Another from the Heart “Not seven times but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). It’s been ten years since two jetliners crashed into theTwinTowersinManhattan, but Paul Fox can still see the flames and, in them, the faces of […]
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world […]
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Ezekiel 33:7-9; Psalm 95:1-2,6-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20) Reaching Out to Others with God’s Mercy, Love, and Compassion “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) What a beautiful image: Jesus himself is with […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 63:2-6,8-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27) Allowing Our Minds to be Renewed by the Holy Spirit “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Matthew 16:23) Can you imagine being in Peter’s position? Jesus just called you the rock on […]
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus […]
Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 22:19-23; Psalm 138:1-3,6,8; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20) Opening Your Heart and Mind to God’s Gift of Revelation Oh, the depth! (Romans 11:33) Some remarkable humans have demonstrated the ability to free-dive to the depth of almost one hundred meters underwater—with no oxygen tank, fins, or […]
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field (Matthew 9:37). It will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of the Father speaking through you (Mt 10:20). I am not ashamed of the gospel, it is the power of […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 56:1,6-7; Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8; Romans 11:13-15,29-32; Matthew 15:21-28) Sharing the Love of Christ and Praying for Others “O woman, great is your faith!” (Matthew 15:28) Can you imagine having your request rejected by Jesus three different times, as happened to this woman? First, Jesus ignored her. […]
Author’s Note: I read with interest Mary Kochan’s article on the Catholic Lane website, “Catholics, Please Say Something about Jesus!” I was somewhat surprised by the passionate responses, both pro and con, to her article. As I said in my own response to Mary’s article: “I think the argument should not be over what you […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (1 Kings 19:9,11-13; Psalm 85:9-14; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-23) Hearing God’s Still Small Voice There was a tiny whispering sound (1 Kings 19:12). Have you noticed how noisy our world is? We celebrate holidays with ear-shattering fireworks. Young people listen to music so loud that you can’t […]
Author’s Note: I read with interest Mary Kochan’s article on the Catholic Lane website, “Catholics, Please Say Something about Jesus!” I was somewhat surprised by the passionate responses, both pro and con, to her article. As I said in my own response to Mary’s article: “I think the argument should not be over what you […]
Had not the LORD been with us, let Israel say, Had not the LORD been with us, when people rose against us, they would have swallowed us alive, for their fury blazed against us. The waters would have engulfed us, the torrent overwhelmed us; seething waters would have drowned us. Blessed be the LORD, who […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 145:8-9,15-18; Romans 8:35,37-39; Matthew 14:13-21) Living Under God’s Economy They all ate and were satisfied (Matthew 14:20). We live under a tremendous economy — God’s economy, that is. Even as the world’s market systems soar and plummet, God’s economy remains stable because it is […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (1 Kings 3:5,7-12; Psalm 119:57,72,76-77,127-130; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52) Experiencing the Healing Touch and Healing Love of God “All things work for good for those who love God” (Romans 8:28). Sheila approached Anne somewhat timidly after Mass one day. “Would you pray for me?” she asked. “My […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Wisdom 12:13,16-19; Psalm 86:5-6,9-10,15-16; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43) Hearing God Speak to Us: A Work of the Holy Spirit The Spirit helps us in our weakness. (Romans 8:26) Have you ever noticed how ready we are to take up one form of prayer—petition—and how uncomfortable we tend […]
Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65:10-14; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23) Preparing the Soil of Your Heart and Mind to Receive Jesus’ Words He spoke to them . . . in parables (Matthew 13:3) You’ve probably heard many homilies. Which ones have stuck with you? Close your eyes for a […]
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Zechariah 9:9-10; Psalm 145:1-2,8-11,13-14; Romans 8:9,11-13; Matthew 11:25-30) Becoming Holy by the Power of the Holy Spirit If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:13). What images come to your mind when you hear the word “holiness”? […]
