Category: Daily Reflections

“The world as we know it is passing away.” –1 Corinthians 7:31 St. Paul, in today’s first Eucharistic reading, is bringing out the very message of Luke’s Beatitudes in today’s Gospel reading. We are not made only for this world, and there is more to life than this world. Jesus teaches that trying to live by the values of this world does not bring happiness that endures. Additionally, living by the world’s standards actually brings disaster, not happiness. Woe to those who don’t see this (Lk 6:24-26), for the world as we know it is passing away (1 Cor 7:31)....

“Then He went out to the mountain to pray, spending the night in communion with God.” –Luke 6:12 In imitation of Christ, we are sometimes called to spend several hours in prayerful communion with God (Lk 6:12). This may be a vigil, a day or night of recollection, or a retreat. After we spend these special, extended times with the Lord, He sometimes raises up leaders for His Church (see Lk 6:13ff). Then He may cure those “troubled with unclean spirits” and all those suffering from diseases (Lk 6:18-19). When the Lord calls us to extended times of prayer, we...

“On another sabbath He came to teach in a synagogue where there was a man whose right hand was withered.” –Luke 6:6 Imagine seeing a man whose right hand was withered. There would be many things he could not do and other things he could do only with great difficulty. He might even feel embarrassed if someone tried to shake his withered hand. If you have any love in your heart, you would want to help this man. How much joy you would feel when Jesus restored the man’s hand perfectly and instantly! (Lk 6:10) However, the scribes and Pharisees...

“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared.” –Isaiah 35:5 Jesus emitted a groan and said: ” ‘Ephphatha!’ (that is, ‘Be opened!’)” (Mk 7:34) Through this prayer, Jesus opened the ears and mouth of “a deaf man who had a speech impediment” (Mk 7:32). Yet there are greater and grander openings than these. At the end of the Old Testament, the Lord promised that when we obeyed Him by tithing, He would open for us “the floodgates of heaven, to pour down blessing upon [us] without measure” (Mal 3:10). Yet there are...

” ‘The virgin shall be with Child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call Him Emmanuel,’ a name which means ‘God is with us.’ ” –Matthew 1:23 We often give presents to those celebrating their birthdays. On Mary’s birthday, it’s even better. Often on this day, the Lord gives everyone special presents. For example, through the intercession of Mary, the Lord may give us the present of a miracle in which He takes even bad things and works them together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His decree (Rm 8:28)....