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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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”? […]
The Body and Blood of Christ 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) Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ and the Promise of His Second Coming Not by bread alone does man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3) Imagine entering a restaurant where the owner promises: “Our […]
Pentecost Sunday Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13; John 20:19-23) Personally Experiencing Pentecost in Our Own Lives They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4) Happy Pentecost! Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, and Luke gives us a dramatic picture […]
The Ascension of the Lord 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) Receiving the Power to be a Witness for Christ You will receive power… and you will be my witnesses. (Acts 1:8) Can you imagine how the apostles must have felt when Jesus made […]
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) Setting Jesus Apart as Your Lord and Savior Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. (1 Peter 3:15) Wait — how can we sanctify Christ? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Isn’t he supposed […]
Fifth Sunday of Easter 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) By Knowing Jesus, We Come to Know What the Father is Like “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).Marybeth is a born athlete, just like her father. Allie and […]
Fourth Sunday of Easter 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) Hearing the Voice of Jesus Christ, Our Shepherd “The sheep hear his voice.” (John 10:3). The people who first heard Jesus compare himself to a shepherd had some background knowledge that many […]
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) The Transforming Power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ ‘God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. (Acts 2:32) The resurrection of Jesus was at the heart of Peter’s message on Pentecost, […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31) God’s Divine Mercy Brings Freedom, Healing, and Transformation This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad (Psalm 118:24). Today is a day of double blessing. Not only […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 10:34, 37-43; Psalm 118:1-216-17,22-23; Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; John 20:1-9) Seeing Ourselves as Jesus Sees Us Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb (John 20:3). On this great feast of the Resurrection, let’s take a look at the first […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14–27:66) Spending Time with Jesus during Holy Week Keep watch with me (Matthew 26:38). Today marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most significant week of the year. Everything that Jesus said and did while on earth was […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (1 Samuel 16:1,6-7,10-13; Psalm 23:1-6; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41) Allowing Jesus to Heal Our Spiritual Blindness I was blind and now I see (John 9:25) As you read about the blind man in this story, notice how the people viewed him initially. The disciples saw his blindness […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95:1-2,6-9; Romans 5:1-2,5-8; John 4:5-42) Letting Jesus Set Us Free Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation Give me a drink (John 4:7). Today’s Gospel gives us a glimpse into the power of God’s mercy and love. When Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20,22; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9) Meeting Christ in a Deeper Way During Mass It is good that we are here. (Matthew 17:4) How ironic! We first see Peter gushing over how good it was to witness Jesus’ transfiguration. How magnificent it […]
