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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. “The lamp of the body is […]
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim (Acts 2:3-4). And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy […]
You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever (Psalm 16:11). You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence (Acts 2:28). Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is […]
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 […]
I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my […]
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 […]
Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal (John 6:27). Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and […]
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 […]
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said […]
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 […]
You have been raised to life with Christ, Set your heart then on things that are in heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Let your thoughts dwell on things there, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life lies hidden with Christ in God. Your […]
If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear […]
Editors Note: The two previous articles spoke of Lent as a time to “open wide our hearts to Christ” and “a time to listen to God’s voice.” This article will look at Lent as a time of true repentance and penance, but not just in words but also in our actions as well. The word […]
Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3) Then God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters, to separate one body of water from the other.” And so it happened. (Genesis 1:6) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) While he […]
But as it is written: “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,” this God has revealed to us through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in […]
