Category: Sunday Reflections

The Miracle of the Loaves
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The Miracle of the Loaves

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by on Aug 02, 2014 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, Sunday Reflections
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Only one miracle of Jesus is recorded in all four gospels–the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. I once heard a homilist give what he said was the real meaning of the story: the people in the crowd took out food they were hiding under their cloaks and shared it. Jesus’ preaching inspired the melting […]

Reflections for Sunday, August 3, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, August 3, 2014

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by on Jul 30, 2014 in Catechesis, Sunday Reflections
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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) Using the Gifts God has Given You Give them some food yourselves. (Matthew 14:16) Tony Melendez was born without any arms. But he was also born with a gift for music, so he developed a unique way to share […]

Reflections for Sunday, July 27, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, July 27, 2014

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by on Jul 23, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Sunday Reflections
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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) Knowing We are Treasured by God Out of joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44) Have you ever noticed how much effort some people put into identifying themselves with certain […]

The Parable of the Wheat and Tares
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The Parable of the Wheat and Tares

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by on Jul 19, 2014 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, Sunday Reflections
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At one time or another, we’ve all dreamed of a perfect world.  Imagine a company where everyone is productive, a government full of honest politicians, a church where all are saints. Dreaming about such things is natural; expecting such things is dangerous.  Unrealistic expectations lead to discouragement, despair, even cynicism. That would be bad enough.  […]

Reflections for Sunday, July 20, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, July 20, 2014

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by on Jul 16, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Sunday Reflections
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Yielding to the Work of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness. (Romans 8:26) If you remember nothing else about St. Paul, remember this: he loved to talk about the Holy Spirit! For just one example, take a look at chapter eight of his Letter to the […]

The Sower and the Seed
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The Sower and the Seed

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by on Jul 12, 2014 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, Sunday Reflections
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I’ve always loved gardening.  Seeds I’ve planted include carrot, cucumber, and of course, zucchini.  In each case, I’ve planted seeds in neat rows, expecting nearly all of them to sprout and yield fruit. But the farmer in Jesus’ parable (Mat 13:1-23) uses the broadcast method.  Lots of seed cast everywhere.  And predictably, many of these […]

Reflections for Sunday, July 13, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, July 13, 2014

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by on Jul 09, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Sunday Reflections
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Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65:10-14; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23) Allowing the Scriptures to Transform Us and Bear Fruit in Our Lives My word … shall not return to me void. (Isaiah 55:11) A farmer is very careful during planting season. He selects the best seeds, chooses the most […]

Does Life Feel Like a Chore?
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Does Life Feel Like a Chore?

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by on Jul 05, 2014 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, Sunday Reflections
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I once knew a woman who called herself “a recovering Catholic.” It seems that as a child, she was taught a religion that was all about guilt. Impossible demands were placed on her requiring strenuous efforts that were doomed to frustration. Turn the other cheek. Don’t even THINK about romantic flings. Love your enemies. Attempting […]

Reflections for Sunday, July 6, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, July 6, 2014

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by on Jul 02, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, Sunday Reflections
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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) Following Jesus with Greater Zeal and Excitement You have revealed them to the childlike. (Matthew 11:25) Life is an adventure for little children. If you give them a present, they might play with the wrapping paper or the box it […]

The Lord Through a Looking Glass
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The Lord Through a Looking Glass

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by on Jun 29, 2014 in Featured, Live in Christ, Sunday Reflections
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I remember the day I discovered the joy of playing with a prism and the power generated by a magnifying glass. I was sitting on the windowsill of our fifth grade classroom and chatting with friends. We were looking at Mrs. Grace’s plants and goofing around with the magnifying glasses and prisms. I was fascinated […]

The Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul
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The Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul

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by on Jun 28, 2014 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, Sunday Reflections
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“Self” Magazine is certainly a sign of the times. This is an age when it is socially acceptable to admit that life is all about me. But selfishness is nothing new. Ever since Eve bit into the apple, human beings have made the choice to dethrone God and put in His place the unholy trinity […]

Reflections for Sunday, June 29, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, June 29, 2014

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by on Jun 25, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Sunday Reflections
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Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 12:1-11; Psalm 34:2-9; Timothy 4:6-8,17-18; Matthew 16:13-19) Proclaiming the Word of God The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. (2 Timothy 4:18) Wait a minute! This passage sounds a lot like today’s psalm: “The angel […]

The Eucharist: The Body of Christ?
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The Eucharist: The Body of Christ?

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by on Jun 21, 2014 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, Sunday Reflections
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The Catholic Church teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation, namely, that in the Eucharist, the communion wafer and the altar wine are transformed and really become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Have you ever met anyone who has found this Catholic doctrine to be a bit hard to take? If so, you shouldn’t be […]

Reflections for Sunday, June 22, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, June 22, 2014

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by on Jun 18, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Sunday Reflections
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Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion(Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14-16; Psalm 147:12-15,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-58) Remembering Who We are Receiving in the Eucharist Be careful not to forget the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:11) The Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, and Moses wanted to make sure that they would stay faithful to God […]

Trinity Sunday: Is it Relevant?
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Trinity Sunday: Is it Relevant?

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by on Jun 14, 2014 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, Sunday Reflections
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Many are ready to give a polite nod of some sort to Jesus of Nazareth. Most honor him as a great moral teacher. Many even confess him as Savior. But the Incarnation of the Eternal God? Second person of the Holy Trinity? God can’t be one and three at the same time. Such a notion […]

Reflections for Sunday, June 15, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, June 15, 2014

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by on Jun 11, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Sunday Reflections
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Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts Exodus 34:4-6,8-9; (Psalm) Daniel 3:52-56; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18) Worshipping and Adoring God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. (Exodus 34:6, 8) The Holy Trinity. Three persons in one God. Really, it’s too much for […]

Why The Ascension Matters
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Why The Ascension Matters

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by on May 31, 2014 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, Sunday Reflections
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The celebration of the Ascension used to leave me a bit flat.  It was clear what Good Friday did for me.  And Easter Sunday’s benefits were indisputable.  But as for the Ascension, what’s in it for me? Christianity is about a kind of love we call agape or charity.  It is love that looks away […]

Reflections for Sunday, June 1, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, June 1, 2014

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by on May 28, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Sunday Reflections
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Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-3,6-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20) The Faithfulness of Jesus in Leading Us and Guiding Us  I am with you always, until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)  This is a bittersweet day. On the one hand, we celebrate Jesus, the Son of God, […]

The Paraclete
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The Paraclete

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by on May 24, 2014 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, Sunday Reflections
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He wore steel rimmed glasses and had hair to the middle of his back.  The fringe on his buck-skinned jacket bounced as he walked. At least that was the way I was accustomed to seeing Mike as he bopped around town.  It was just a few years after Woodstock, and we were all taken with […]

Reflections for Sunday, May 25, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, May 25, 2014

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by on May 21, 2014 in Featured, Sunday Reflections
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Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 8:5-8,14-17; Psalm 66:1-7,16,20; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21) Being Filled with the Holy Spirit  They received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17) As soon as the apostles heard about God’s work in Samaria, they sent Peter and John to find out what was happening. When they arrived […]

Reflections for Sunday, May 18, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, May 18, 2014

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by on May 14, 2014 in Catechesis, Sunday Reflections
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Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12) Accepting Jesus’ Invitation To Come to Him Come to him … and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house. (1 Peter 2:4, 5) Beloved, come to me. I am the cornerstone, Jesus. My arms […]

Reflections for Sunday, May 11, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, May 11, 2014

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by on May 07, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Sunday Reflections
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Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 2:14, 36-41; Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10) Being Cut to the Heart by the Good News of Jesus Christ  They were cut to the heart. (Acts 2:37)  What a vivid image! But this is not the only place in Scripture where we see this […]

Emmaus: From Despair to Joy
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Emmaus: From Despair to Joy

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by on May 03, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Learn & Live the Faith, MyChurchParish.com, Sunday Reflections
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What a disappointment!  They thought they’d found the Messiah.  But he’d been trapped like an animal and executed as a criminal.  Up until his very last breath, they had hoped he’d descend from the cross in stately power and call down fire upon the hypocrites. But all they heard from him were seven last “words” […]

Reflections for Sunday, May 4, 2014
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Reflections for Sunday, May 4, 2014

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by on Apr 30, 2014 in Catechesis, Featured, Sunday Reflections
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Third Sunday of Easter Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 2:1-14,22-33; Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35)  Experiencing More Deeply the Transforming Power of the Mass  Were not our hearts burning? (Luke 24:32) Great writers have a knack for conveying deep, lasting truths in just a few words. This is the […]