Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord.” —Isaiah 1:18 In our secular humanistic culture, many people, even Christians, have unformed and deformed consciences. They have not been “trained by practice to distinguish good from evil” (Heb 5:14). “One sees in them men without conscience, without loyalty, without affection, without pity” (Rm 1:31). These people commit many serious sins, but do not feel guilty because they are so spiritually blinded and immature. However, this condition of serious sin, minimal guilt, and undeveloped consciences will not last indefinitely. Reality finally sets in, and they come to realize that they...

“Be compassionate, as your Father is compassionate.” —Luke 6:36 Today’s readings speak of an ever-increasing awareness of sin. Sin eventually results in being “brought very low” (Ps 79:8). Nations and people that rebel against God (see Dn 9:9) will eventually reap the harvest of sin, that is, disaster and death (see Rm 6:23). As Jesus says, the measure that rebels measure with will eventually be measured right back to them (Lk 6:38). In the secular culture, to stand up against sin and immorality is considered an act of “hate.” Yet it is not love to allow (let alone encourage) a...

“With the strength which comes from God bear your share of the hardship which the gospel entails.” —2 Timothy 1:8 We Christians do not run from hardship; we bear it and embrace it. We walk toward the Cross, not away from it. We do not shrink from trials in fear. Thus, the Lord commands in today’s Gospel reading: “Get up! Do not be afraid” (Mt 17:7). We bear hardship for the sake of the gospel (2 Tm 1:8) in order to spread the Good News. Our Lenten hardships, indeed all our hardships, are for the upbuilding of the Kingdom of...

“Lose no time.” —Matthew 5:25 “All’s well that ends well.” “If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all My statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die” (Ez 18:21). The “good thief” lived a miserable life, but ended well and is in paradise with Jesus (Lk 23:43). Because our ending is all-important, some people wait until the end to convert to Jesus. This is a serious mistake. “Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day; for suddenly...

“Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. For the one who asks, receives.” —Matthew 7:7-8 Some ingenuous Bible preachers and teachers have tried to expound on the differences between asking, seeking, and knocking. However, all three commands probably mean the same thing. Jesus is simply and repeatedly commanding us to ask, ask, and ask. Are we getting the message? If so, then why does Jesus keep repeating Himself? Most of us ask God for a thing or two. Yet it may be that He wants us to ask Him...