Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings, to give witness before them.” –Matthew 10:18 Christmas is a special opportunity to witness for Jesus. Because St. Stephen was the first witness to give up his life for Jesus the faithful Witness (Rv 1:5), it is appropriate that he is the first of the Christmas saints. Witnessing is not just saying good things about Jesus. Witnessing is communicating a personal experience of Jesus. St. Stephen was a witness not just because he spoke about Jesus, but because he saw Jesus at the Father’s right hand and proclaimed this to...

“Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel because He has visited and ransomed His people.” –Luke 1:68 Many hundreds of thousands of priests and religious have promised under pain of sin to pray each morning today’s Gospel reading, Zechariah’s canticle, as part of praying the Liturgy of the Hours. I promised to do this decades ago, and by God’s grace I have kept my promise. The Church so emphasizes Zechariah’s prophecy because: It is a prophecy, and prophets are part of the foundation of the Church (Eph 2:20ff). Zechariah prayed this prayer when he was “filled with the Holy...

“…to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” –Malachi 3:24 Many earthly fathers don’t have hearts for their children. In today’s culture, there is an epidemic of fatherless children. Sadly, too many children are “fatherless” even though their dad lives in the same house. Many fathers also do not have a heart for their possible future children. The job of a father is difficult and is intentionally under attack by Satan and his pawns who shape the modern, secular culture. God calls fathers to one of the greatest causes...

“All ages to come shall call me blessed.” –Luke 1:48 At her visitation to the house of Elizabeth and Zechariah, the Blessed Virgin Mary prophesied that all generations would call her “blessed” (Lk 1:48). This prophecy has been proven true. Throughout the history of the Church, she has been called the “Blessed Mother.” Likewise, she is called the “Blessed Virgin Mary” in the Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV of the Mass. In the Hail Mary prayer, we likewise fulfill this prophecy by praying the words of Elizabeth: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the Fruit of your...