Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“When you were slaves of sin, you had freedom from justice. What benefit did you then enjoy?” –Romans 6:20-21 Mass Readings: October 26 First: Romans 6:19-23; Resp: Psalm 1:1-4,6; Gospel: Luke 12:49-53 Listen to the Mass Readings Every human being is both enslaved and free. We can choose to be “slaves of sin” (Rm 6:20) and thus free from justice, or we can be “freed from sin” and “slaves of God” (Rm 6:22). If we choose slavery to sin, we “will reap a harvest of corruption” (Gal 6:8), things that we will be “ashamed of, all of them tending toward...

“Who in your opinion is that faithful, farsighted steward?” –Luke 12:42 Mass Readings: October 25 First: Romans 6:12-18; Resp: Psalm 124:1-8; Gospel: Luke 12:39-48 Listen to the Mass Readings Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, will return in glory, riding on the clouds, escorted by the angels amid mighty trumpet blasts (see Mt 25:31; 1 Thes 4:16). When He arrives, He will surprisingly “put on an apron,” seat His humble disciples “at table, and proceed to wait on them” (Lk 12:37). In contrast, those who in their pride have chosen to not do the Lord’s will...

“As sin reigned through death, grace may reign by way of justice leading to eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” –Romans 5:21 Mass Readings: October 24 First: Romans 5:12,15,17-19,20-21; Resp: Psalm 40:7-10,17; Gospel: Luke 12:35-38 Listen to the Mass Readings The body of Christ is broken. The culture of death is becoming even more oppressive. Millions of babies do not survive long enough to be born. The unfaithfulness of Christians is scandalous. Under these circumstances, you would think we would be depressed and even despairing. However, “despite the increase of sin, grace has far surpassed it” (Rm 5:20). Pope...

“The words, ‘It was credited to him,’ were not written with [Abraham] alone in view; they were intended for us too. For our faith will be credited to us also if we believe in Him Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” –Romans 4:23-24 Mass Readings: October 23 First: Romans 4:20-25; Resp: Luke 1:69-75; Gospel: Luke 12:13-21 Listen to the Mass Readings The patriarch Abraham believed God in a very difficult matter. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him” as righteousness (Rm 4:3, 22; see also Gn 15:6). Many are focused on improving their credit score. Without...

“Grace and peace be yours.” –1 Thessalonians 1:1 Listen to the Mass Readings First Thessalonians is probably the earliest book of the New Testament. Therefore, it has special significance. To better understand these words of St. Paul, we must understand his life. Paul described his life in the following way: “…with my many more labors and imprisonments, with far worse beatings and frequent brushes with death. Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes less one; three times I was beaten with rods; I was stoned once, shipwrecked three times; I passed a day and a...