Tagged: Daily Reflection

“This is the meaning of the parable…hear the word in a spirit of openness, retain it, and bear fruit through perseverance.” –Luke 8:11, 15 Mass Readings: September 17 First: Galatians 6:14-18; Resp: Galatians 2:16,20. Philippians 1:20-21; Gospel: Luke 9:23-26 Ground is valued by its fertility, that is, how productive and fruitful it is. Jesus tells us exactly how to bear fruit: “Hear the word in a spirit of openness” (Lk 8:15). To hear the Word of God, we must eliminate any background noise. We must cultivate a spirit of openness. Just like a farmer turns over the ground by plowing...

“We should then be exposed as false witnesses of God.” –1 Corinthians 15:15 Mass Readings: September 16 First: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Resp: Psalm 17:1,6-8,15; Gospel: Luke 8:1-3 The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central event in our faith. Our response to Jesus’ Resurrection makes a total difference in the world around us. If we do not live as a risen people, living a risen life to the full (Jn 10:10), whose entire existence is transformed, then we look no different from those in the world. Satan couldn’t stop Jesus from rising from the dead. So now Satan...

“Near the cross of Jesus there stood His mother.” –John 19:25 Mass Readings: September 15 First: Hebrews 5:7-9; Resp: Psalm 31:2-6,15-16,20; Gospel: John 19:25-27 Because Mary is honored as our Lady of Sorrows, she is our Lady of Forgiveness. She forgave the innkeeper who refused to give her a room in which to have her Baby and forced her to give birth in a stable (Lk 2:7). Our Lady of Sorrows forgave Herod for attempting to kill her Baby and forcing her and her family to flee to Egypt in the middle of the night (Mt 2:13-14). Mary forgave Joseph...

“Yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life.” –John 3:16 Mass Readings: September 14 First: Numbers 21:4-9; Resp: Psalm 78:1-2,34-38; Second: Philippians 2:6-11; Gospel: John 3:13-17 “When I behold the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.” This traditional hymn simply says that when we look at the cross, we can change dramatically. “They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37). “The centurion who...

“God has set up in the Church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, healers, assistants, administrators, and those who speak in tongues.” –1 Corinthians 12:28 Jesus “ascended high above the heavens, that He might fill all men with His gifts” (Eph 4:10). He commands us to set our hearts on spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14:1), especially on the greater gifts (1 Cor 12:31), “those that build up the Church” (1 Cor 14:12). The Lord does not want us to be ignorant of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:1). Consequently, the Father and the Son have sent the Holy...