Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Daniel 9:4-10  +  Luke 6:36-38
March 18, 2019

But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!

Lent is a season of perspective.  Our “great and awesome God”, as Daniel describes him, is infinite in all His qualities:  beauty, simplicity, and mercy, to name only a few.  God’s mercy is our great focus during this season. Continue reading →

The Second Sunday of Lent [C]
Gen 15:5-12,17-18  +  Phil 3:17—4:1  +  Lk 9:28-36
March 17, 2019

But our citizenship is in heaven….

In this Sunday’s First Reading from Genesis, we hear about God’s relationship with Abram, whom God renames “Abraham” a few chapters later.  In the snapshot of their relationship presented by the First Reading, we see the kernels of a life of prayer. Continue reading →

Monday of the First Week of Lent
Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18  +  Matthew 25:31-46
March 11, 2019

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

At the beginning of this first full week of Lent, Jesus preaches to us about the Final Judgment.  The parable that Jesus preaches in today’s Gospel passage reminds us of the old adage:  “Always begin with your end in mind.”  This saying is good for reflection first thing in the morning, as an entire day upon God’s green earth stretches out before us.  At the beginning of the day we pray the Morning Offering, which reminds us that each day on earth is about God:  living in His love, and for His glory. Continue reading →

The First Sunday of Lent [C]
Deut 26:4-10  +  Rom 10:8-13  +  Lk 4:1-13
March 10, 2019

He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm….

There are many different types of freedom.  For example, sometimes we want to be free from the influence that another person holds over us.  Sometimes we want to be free from a job, or from an agreement we’ve made with someone, or from an assignment that we’ve been handed.  But that’s not the type of freedom that Jesus gave up his life to offer us. Continue reading →

Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time [I]
Sirach 17:20-24  +  Mark 10:17-27
March 4, 2019

“How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!”

Why is it hard “for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God”?  The Church does not teach that human wealth is evil in and of itself.  Some mistakenly think that Scripture says that money is the root of all evil.  But the correct quote from Saint Paul is that “the love of money is the root of all evils” [1 Timothy 6:10].  Nonetheless, that begs the question:  what is it about the love of money that tempts the wealthy away from the Kingdom of God? Continue reading →

The Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time [C]
Sir 27:4-7  +  1 Cor 15:54-58  +  Lk 6:39-45
March 3, 2019

“Remove the wooden beam from your eye first….”

When you make your nightly examination of conscience, and prepare monthly for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, there’s a simple way to recollect yourself.  After all, if it’s been a long day or an even longer month, you might feel unsure how best to assess your efforts—or failures—to live your life in Christ. Continue reading →

Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time [I]
Sirach 1:1-10  +  Mark 9:14-29
February 25, 2019

…they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.

Today’s Gospel scene takes place immediately after the Transfiguration.  There on Mount Tabor Peter had wanted to stay, saying, “Master, it is good for us to be here.  Let us make three booths….”  But Jesus teaches Peter that it was not for transfiguration that He came into this world.  In today’s Gospel passage Jesus descends the mountain and enters into conflict between His disciples and the scribes, resuming the ministry for which He became Flesh and dwelt among us. Continue reading →

The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time [C]
1 Sam 26:2,7-9,12-13,22-23  +  1 Cor 15:45-49  +  Lk 6:27-38
February 24, 2019

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Today’s Scripture passages consider one of the paradoxes about the church that Jesus founded:  its rank and file members are both saints and sinners.  The Church is indeed the Body of Christ, but that body’s members are weak human beings.  In other words, while the Church is a divine institution, it’s also a human institution. Continue reading →

Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time [I]
Genesis 4:1-15,25  +  Mark 8:11-13
February 18, 2019

He sighed from the depth of His spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign?”

Do we search for heavenly signs as assurance that we are on the right path in life?  Today’s Gospel passage, brief and to the point, ought to make us realize how pointless such a search is.  Jesus’ sigh—”from the depth of His Spirit”—speaks volumes.  His departure from the midst of the Pharisees show his recognition that even His divine words do nothing for one unwilling to listen in to Him in faith.  Christ asks us to dedicate each day to him in faith. Continue reading →