Tagged: daily bread

“I was sent to…bring you this good news.” –Luke 1:19 “Each man speaks from his heart’s abundance” (Lk 6:45). Zechariah’s words to the angel give evidence that his heart did not trust God. He possibly felt that God turned a “deaf ear” to his decades-long prayers for a child. Thus, when the angel Gabriel announced that God had heard his prayers (Lk 1:13), the doubt and lack of trust that filled his heart flowed naturally out of his mouth. For his lack of trust in God’s messenger, Zechariah was struck mute (Lk 1:20, 22) and deaf (Lk 1:62). He thought...

“Joseph her husband, an upright man unwilling to expose her to the law, decided to divorce her quietly.” –Matthew 1:19 Joseph planned to divorce Mary and, therefore, Jesus. This Christmas, we also may be tempted to divorce Jesus indirectly, and thereby miss out on Christmas. Throughout history, there have been more innkeepers and Herods at Christmas than wise men and shepherds. Even now, few are at the side of Jesus in the manger. Most of the world continues to ignore the Christ of Christmas. Joseph would have rejected Jesus if he had not made a super act of faith and...

“A family record of Jesus Christ…” –Matthew 1:1 I’ve often heard parishioners express discontent about having to listen to today’s Gospel litany of name after name in the genealogy of Jesus. Church attendees often seem bored with the genealogy. Genealogy, however, is riding a wave of popularity at present. One of the primary uses of the Internet is genealogical research. I know three individuals who “have carefully traced” (Lk 1:3) their family histories back hundreds of years. To these individuals, genealogies are exciting, not boring. They spent countless hours researching their beloved family lineage. They rejoice when they find another...

“The lowly will hear me and be glad.” –Psalm 34:3 Throughout much of our lives, many of us develop the illusion that we are naturally good-hearted, loving, and kind people. We pretend that about all we want out of life is to help people. Although various circumstances in our lives seem to indicate a self-centered, egotistical attitude in us, we ignore these details. Usually somewhere around middle age, we may realize by God’s grace that we have spent our whole lives thinking about ourselves and seeking our own pleasure, even at others’ expense. We now begin to realize we are...

“I too will ask a question.” –Matthew 21:24 Sometimes we pray and talk to God, even questioning Him, but He doesn’t seem to answer. We wonder if He’s even listening. One reason for this is mentioned in today’s Gospel reading. The chief priests and elders asked Jesus two questions (Mt 21:23). Jesus replied that He would not answer their questions until they answered His (Mt 21:24). “Their answer to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ He said in turn, ‘Then neither will I tell you on what authority I do the things I do’ ” (Mt 21:27). Jesus loves to...