Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“If you want to avoid judgment…” –Matthew 7:1 “If you want to avoid judgment, stop passing judgment” on others’ character and motives (Mt 7:1). If we judge others’ character and motives, we will have the same verdict passed on us (Mt 7:2). “If you want to avoid judgment,” repent of your own sins, and then help others repent (Mt 7:5). If we want to avoid judgment, we must forgive those who have sinned against us. Otherwise, we will not be forgiven (Mt 6:15), and we will be in no position to help others reconcile to the Lord. In summary, to...

“[John] made his public appearance in Israel.” –Luke 1:80 At a recent Mass, the priest revealed his dream during the homily. He wants to see an annual award, called the St. John the Baptist Courage Award. He envisioned that it would be awarded to that Catholic bishop who has most courageously spoken out for the cause of pro-life. The “trophy” would be a silver platter, symbolizing both the courage St. John the Baptist displayed in continuously speaking out against Herod’s public adultery (Mk 6:18) and his resulting imprisonment and execution (Mk 6:28). Such an award would be yet another encouragement...

“Stop worrying, then, over questions like, ‘What are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear?’ ” –Matthew 6:31 Many people today are learning about stress management. The Lord wants to do better than that. He teaches us stress banishment. He commands us: “Do not worry about your livelihood, what you are to eat or drink or use for clothing” (Mt 6:25, 31). Jesus questions us: “Which of you by worrying can add a moment to his life-span?” (Mt 6:27) He commands us again: “Enough, then, of worrying about tomorrow” (Mt 6:34). How...

“Then Elisha, filled with a twofold portion of his spirit, wrought many marvels.” –Sirach 48:12 Elijah humbled Israel’s economy by stopping the rain for three-and-a-half years. “Three times [he] brought down fire” (Sir 48:3). He slit the throats of several hundred false prophets (1 Kgs 18:19, 40). He “brought a dead man back to life” (Sir 48:5). He was “taken aloft in a whirlwind, in a chariot with fiery horses” (Sir 48:9). Yet these were not the greatest things Elijah did. His greatest work was to make Elisha his disciple. This led to Hazael and Jehu being anointed, who finally...