Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants.” –Sirach 44:11 Many people work hard during their adult lives, with the goal of enjoying a relaxing, well-deserved retirement. They feel it’s the time to enjoy one’s grandchildren, and catch up on travel, hobbies, and leisure that were missed out on during many years of sacrifice. However, the “golden years” are not really the time to let up; instead, these years are the time to “seal in” the heritage that has been sown. All too often, it takes only one generation for a society to lose its collective faith....

“You have nothing to fear from Him! Get up! He is calling you!” –Mark 10:49 Because of our sins, we are in some way spiritually blind. By grace, we may begin “to call out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on’ ” us! (Mk 10:47) Then many things inside pressure us to be quiet (see Mk 10:48). What if Jesus did have mercy on us? What if He opened our eyes? We would see our sinfulness, our lives, and even reality. Moreover, healed blind people no longer qualify for the social securities of comforts, excuses, and sympathy. Then what would...

“Can you drink the cup I shall drink or be baptized in the same bath of pain as I?” –Mark 10:38 The first time Jesus brought up the subject of the cross, He was reprimanded by Peter (Mk 8:32). In response, Jesus rebuked Peter: “Get out of My sight, you satan! You are not judging by God’s standards but by man’s!” (Mk 8:33) After Jesus’ Transfiguration, He tried again to communicate with the apostles about the cross. However, “they failed to understand His words” and “were afraid to question Him” (Mk 9:32). For the third time, Jesus said: “The Son...

“The just man’s sacrifice is most pleasing, nor will it ever be forgotten.” –Sirach 35:6 All cultures throughout history have instinctively understood that they needed to make offerings and sacrifices to God. The people of these cultures accordingly offered crops, animals, and even people. The Lord revealed to the Jewish people that sacrifices entailed more than material things. He revealed the sacrifice of obedience. “To keep the law is a great oblation, and he who observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering” (Sir 35:1). The Lord also revealed the sacrifice of charity. “In works of charity one offers fine flour,...

“He encourages those who are losing hope.” –Sirach 17:19 Hope in the Lord leads directly to strength. Those who hope in the Lord will never fail in strength (1 Mc 2:61) and actually renew their strength (Is 40:31). This is because “hope remains” after all else passes away (see 1 Cor 13:13). A people of hope is forever a people of strength. Since hope is so critical to strength, it follows that Satan would relentlessly attack people to prevent them from growing in hope. To beat down our hope, Satan bludgeons us with: a delaying game. “Hope deferred makes the...