Category: Daily Reflections

“Every sabbath, in the synagogue, Paul led discussions in which he persuaded certain Jews and Greeks.” –Acts 18:4 Mass Readings: May 10 First: Acts 18:1-8; Resp: Psalm 98:1-4; Gospel: John 16:16-20 Listen to the Mass Readings It’s not unusual to see people talking in church in the USA. People greet one another before or after Mass. They talk about their children, politics, sports, the obituaries, school, the weather, etc. Some even discuss church-related things, such as parish politics or issues about the parish school. How many people in church talk about Jesus? Every week, St. Paul talked in church about...

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” –John 16:12 Mass Readings: May 9 First: Acts 17:15,22–18:1; Resp: Psalm 148:1-2,11-14; Gospel: John 16:12-15 Listen to the Mass Readings We need the Pentecost Novena, which starts in two days, because we are not ready to hear what Jesus desires to tell us. No matter how close we are to the Lord, He always has “much more” for us (Jn 16:12) – more ministry, more peace, more stretching. We may already be stretched as far as we think possible. Like a woman in the last month of...

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” –John 16:12 Mass Readings: May 9 First: Acts 17:15,22–18:1; Resp: Psalm 148:1-2,11-14; Gospel: John 16:12-15 Listen to the Mass Readings We need the Pentecost Novena, which starts in two days, because we are not ready to hear what Jesus desires to tell us. No matter how close we are to the Lord, He always has “much more” for us (Jn 16:12) – more ministry, more peace, more stretching. We may already be stretched as far as we think possible. Like a woman in the last month of...

“I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with all my heart.” –Psalm 138:1 Mass Readings: May 8 First: Acts 16:22-34; Resp: Psalm 138:1-3,7-8; Gospel: John 16:5-11 Listen to the Mass Readings The “radical newness” of the Christian life (see Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People, Pope St. John Paul II, 10) is sometimes buried under our sins and lukewarmness (see Rv 3:16). In our refusal to abandon ourselves totally to the Lord, we make Christianity a club, game, organization, or private avocation. However, life in Christ is not merely one option as a possible way of life. It is...

“When the Paraclete comes, the Spirit of truth Who comes from the Father – and Whom I Myself will send from the Father – He will bear witness on My behalf.” –John 15:26 The Holy Spirit bears witness for Jesus, and we must bear witness too (Jn 15:27). When we witness for Jesus, we will see God open the hearts of many people, and they will give their lives to Jesus (see Acts 16:14-15). On the other hand, in our witnessing for Jesus, we will encounter strong opposition. Some of those putting us to death will even think they are...