Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Nehemiah 8:2-6,8-10; Psalm 19:8-10,15; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21) Receiving the Anointing of the Spirit Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. (Luke 4:21) Returning to his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus was invited to speak in the synagogue. His reputation as a wonder worker […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96:1-3,7-10; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11) Mary’s Great Faith and Trust in the Lord, A Model for Us to Follow in Prayer Do whatever he tells you. (John 2:5) Can we really change God’s mind? Well, maybe. Let’s take a look at a few […]
At first glance, the scene makes little sense. John’s strident call to repentance provokes an overwhelming response. People of all shapes and sizes flock to him in the wilderness. They are baptized in the Jordan as a sign of repentance and cleansing. Suddenly, out of the crowd steps John’s cousin, Jesus. Wait a minute! What […]
The Baptism of the Lord Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7; Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16,21-22) Knowing and Experiencing God the Father’s Love for You You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. (Luke 3:22) Last year, before the London summer Olympics, the 1981 film Chariots […]
The Epiphany of the Lord Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-13; Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6; Matthew 2:1-12) Being Beacons of Christ’s Light in a Darkened World You shall see and be radiant. (Isaiah 60:5) We’ve all had epiphanies—those times when a sudden insight allows us to grasp something we couldn’t understand […]
The Holy Family Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Sirach 3:2-6,12-14; Psalm 128:1-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52) The Holy Family, Our Model of Love and Unity “Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48) Great anxiety indeed! Jesus had been missing for three whole days. Jerusalem was […]
4th Sunday of Advent (Cycle C) The Beatitudes rank high on the list of all-time favorite Bible passages. But what is “beatitude,” anyway? In the bible, a “blessed” person is someone who has received gifts of the greatest value, gifts that lead to true fulfillment and lasting happiness. If I were to ask you […]
Fourth Sunday of Advent Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Zephaniah 3:14-18; (Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18) Mary and Elizabeth, Our Model for Responding to the Holy Spirit “Blessed are you who believed!” (Luke 1:45) When something exciting happens, you can’t contain yourself; you simply have to share the news with […]
3rd Sunday of Advent (Year C) On the third Sunday of Advent, the penitential purple of the season changes to rose and we celebrate “Gaudete” or “Rejoice!” Sunday. “Shout for joy, daughter of Sion” says Zephaniah. “Draw water joyfully from the font of salvation,” says Isaiah. “Rejoice in the Lord always,” says St. Paul. “Do […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Zephaniah 3:14-18; (Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18) Advent, A Time of Thanksgiving and Rejoicing “The peace of God … will guard your hearts.” (Philippians 4:7) There was once a little town that was being harassed and pillaged by marauders. Good families were not able to […]
Second Sunday of Advent Faith, hope, and love. St. Paul, in I Corinthians 13:13, say these three are the bottom line. They are called the theological virtues, the qualities that make us most like God. We hear plenty about faith and love. But when is the last time you heard a rousing homily on hope? […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126:1-6 ; Philippians 1:4-6,8-11; Luke 3:1-6) Advent, A Time to Allow God’s Word to Transform You “A voice of one crying out in the desert.” (Luke 3:4) Tiberius. Pilate. Herod. Philip. Lysanias. Annas. Caiaphas. These men ruled the secular and religious worlds at the […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,141; 1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2; Luke 21:25-28,34-36) Advent, A Time to Prepare for His Coming “They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud.” (Luke 21:27) Don’t you find it strange that today’s Gospel reading would focus on the end times and not […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93:1-2,5; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37) Jesus Christ, King Over All Creation and Our King “Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33) In honor of this great feast, let’s take some time to dwell on what it means that Jesus is King of […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16:5,8-11; Hebrews 10:11-14,18; Mark 13:24-32) Preparing for Jesus Second Coming: Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last “Of that day or hour, no one knows.” (Mark 13:32) Let’s take a short quiz. The first question is a general one: what goals do […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146:7-10; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44) The Extravagant Love of God “This poor widow put in more than all the other contributors.” (Mark 12:43) Today’s readings give us two illustrations of extravagant love. First, we have the widow who cared for Elijah, and in […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126:1-6; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52) Letting God’s Love Flow Through You to Others “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this… . The second is this.” (Mark 12:28-31) Love God and love your neighbor. The wisdom of these […]
Reflections for Sunday, October 28, 2012 Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126:1-6; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52) Saying Yes to Jesus’ Call “Get up, he is calling you.” (Mark 10:49) Today’s readings all involve a call from God. In the first reading, the Lord makes a joyful announcement, calling […]
Reflections for Sunday, October 21, 2012 Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33:4-5,18-20,22; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45) Walking Through God’s Open Door of Faith “We have a great high priest.” (Hebrews 4:14) During this Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI is inviting all of us to pass through the “door […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Wisdom 7:7-11; Psalm 90:12-17; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30) Seeing Ourselves as Jesus Sees Us “The word of God is … sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12) What a vivid image! God’s word is razor sharp, able to cut through our innermost thoughts. It can expose the […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 128:1-6; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16) Learning from Our Mistakes “Let the children come to me.” (Mark 10:14) In his apostolic letter introducing the coming Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI wrote that “faith commits every one of us to become a living sign of […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Numbers 11:25-29; Psalm 19:8,10,12-14; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48) Being Prophetic, Speaking God’s Word to a Broken World “Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets!” (Numbers 11:29) Moses had it right. Joshua was upset that Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the Israelite camp, but Moses couldn’t […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 50:5-9; Psalm 116:1-6,8-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35) Developing the Gift of Discernment “Get behind me, Satan.” (Mark 8:33) Wouldn’t you hate to hear Jesus say these words to you? You can just imagine the look on Peter’s face when Jesus rebuked him. He must have gone […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 35:4-7 Psalm 146:7-10; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37) Being Healed by Christ in Spirit, Mind, and Body “Be opened!” (Mark 7:34) Scripture tells us that Jesus performed countless healings during his public ministry. So we may wonder why some healing stories are preserved in the Bible, while […]
