Category: Daily Reflections

“The Spirit we have received is not the world’s spirit but God’s Spirit, helping us to recognize the gifts He has given us.” –1 Corinthians 2:12 “The Spirit scrutinizes all matters, even the deep things of God. Who, for example, knows a man’s innermost self but the man’s own spirit within him?” (1 Cor 2:10-11) “In the synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit” (Lk 4:33). From these Scriptures, we see that there are three kinds of spirits: God, human spirits, and angelic spirits (either good angels or demons). These three sources of spirits are the origin of...

“I continually thank my God for you.” –1 Corinthians 1:4 Father Al Lauer, founder and long-time author of One Bread, One Body (OBOB), passed from this life to the next on October 13, 2002. In the final weeks of his battle with cancer, Father often expressed his thanks to those who had supported him, prayed for him, and received him. In the last two weeks of his life, Father could no longer leave his bedroom. Masses were celebrated in his room. Although Father could not celebrate the Mass, he did give short homilies from his bed. Near the end of...

“You will see much greater things than that.” –John 1:50 The first time we encounter St. Nathanael (also called Bartholomew) is in John’s Gospel. Nathanael is prejudiced. He insults Jesus even before he meets Him (Jn 1:46). Jesus nonetheless opens up Nathanael by a word of supernatural knowledge (Jn 1:48). Nathanael responds by confessing Jesus as Son of God and King of Israel (Jn 1:49). Jesus has begun His work in Nathanael’s life. Nathanael accompanies Jesus for three years in His preaching, deliverance, and healing ministry. Finally, Nathanael sins grievously by abandoning Jesus when He was arrested and put to...

“Lord, are they few in number who are to be saved?” —Luke 13:23 Jesus did not answer this question directly. He answered it with a picture. Picture a door locked with people standing “outside knocking and saying, ‘Sir, open for us’ ” (Lk 13:25). Then a voice from the other side of the door replies: “I do not know where you come from” (Lk 13:25). Next, those locked out try to explain that there must be some misunderstanding, for they have gone to church and received some religious instruction (cf Lk 13:26). Once again the voice from the other side...

“The scribes and the Pharisees have succeeded Moses as teachers; therefore, do everything and observe everything they tell you. But do not follow their example.” —Matthew 23:2-3 The scribes copied the Sacred Scriptures by hand. This indicates that in their time they were among the most intelligent and best educated people in the world. They were professionals and experts in the Holy Bible. The Pharisees believed in angels and in the resurrection of the just. They had the most advanced theology in history up to that time. Jesus Himself recognized that they and the scribes were the rightful, authoritative successors...