Category: Daily Reflections

Judas “kept looking for an opportunity to hand [Jesus] over.” —Matthew 26:16 Judas was disappointed in Jesus. Like many Jews of his time, Judas likely expected the Messiah to be a nationalistic hero, one who would cast out the occupying Roman armies and liberate Jerusalem. In spending three years with Jesus, Judas gradually came to realize that Jesus was not interested in being the kind of Messiah Jews expected. Jesus made it clear to the apostles that He was interested in freeing people from sin (see e.g. Jn 8:34-36). He also made it clear that He accepted people from all...

“Mary brought a pound of costly perfume made from genuine aromatic nard, with which she anointed Jesus’ feet. Then she dried His feet with her hair.” —John 12:3 The Lord gives us the command and the privilege to love Him with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength (Lk 10:27). David prayed: “For You my flesh pines and my soul thirsts,” and “My soul clings fast to You,” and “Your kindness is a greater good than life” (Ps 63:2, 9, 4). Another psalmist prayed to the Lord: “When I am with You, the earth delights me not” (Ps 73:25). Pope...

“I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them.” —Ezekiel 37:26 To the Jewish nation which had been destroyed in war and whose leaders were in exile, the Lord promised an everlasting covenant of peace. This promise was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, “Who is our Peace” (Eph 2:14), and Who left us the gift of peace in His last will and testament (Jn 14:27). Moreover, Jesus, “the God of peace” (Rm 16:20; 1 Thes 5:23; Heb 13:20), made His disciples peacemakers (Mt 5:9). We receive Jesus’ gift of peace and make peace...