Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“In the fire Azariah stood up and prayed aloud.” –Daniel 3:25 Lent is the imitation of Jesus’ forty days in the desert (Mt 4:1ff). It is a desert experience in which we undergo “a trial by fire” (1 Pt 4:12). In the midst of the flames, we are tempted to grumble against the Lord or blame other people for our trials. We must overcome these temptations and stand up in the fire to pray as Azariah did (Dn 3:25). By faith, we must face the harsh realities of our lives, repent of our sins, and commit ourselves to follow the...

“Coming to his senses at last” –Luke 15:17 Jesus mentions that the prodigal son came “to his senses at last” when his situation reached its lowest point. Jesus also forgave His persecutors from the cross, saying “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34). Through these two passages, Jesus is teaching us that it is quite possible that those who trespass against us might not be in their right mind. Jesus pleads with His heavenly Father to forgive His tormentors because of this very reason. He sees the best in each person and asks the...

“Let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh. His brothers agreed.” –Genesis 37:27 To Joseph’s brothers, brotherhood meant not killing their brother but selling him. We Christians are brothers and sisters with one another. At Mass, we are repeatedly addressed as brothers and sisters. Does brotherhood and sisterhood mean more to us than it did to Joseph’s brothers? Brotherhood and sisterhood should mean that: We are one as Jesus and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with...

“Let us carefully note his every word.” –Jeremiah 18:18 Even during Lent, we can carefully note God’s every word for the wrong reasons — not for serving God, but for selfish motives. The enemies of Jeremiah paid close attention to his words — not to be changed by them but to find a means to destroy him. Likewise, Jesus’ enemies paid close attention to His words — not to be transformed by His words, but to find “a means to destroy Him.” It’s all in the wanting, in our desires. Jesus Himself asks us: “What is it you want?” (Mt...