Tagged: Daily Reflection

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” –Luke 4:18 Father Al Lauer, founder of One Bread, One Body, considered Luke 4:18 to be his personal mission statement. As he prepared for his ordination to the priesthood, he chose this Scripture verse as his theme. The passage was quoted on his funeral Mass card. Fr. Al was on fire with the Holy Spirit and operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit throughout his priesthood. Jesus said: “I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!” (Lk 12:49) Jesus came to baptize...

“Every worthwhile gift, every genuine benefit comes from above, descending from the Father.” –James 1:17 Our Father wants to give us a “worthwhile gift,” a “genuine benefit.” He will give us this gift as He gave us the gifts of birth and rebirth (see 1 Pt 1:23). The Father will gift us through a word spoken in truth (Jas 1:18). If we listen to this word (Jas 1:19) and act on it (Jas 1:22), we will receive our gift. For example, the Father may want to give you the gift of health. He may give you this gift by speaking...

“He called in his servants and handed his funds over to them according to each man’s abilities.” –Matthew 25:14 Today’s Gospel reading is often used to bring up the theme of stewardship, which is supposedly giving our “time, treasures, and talents” to the Lord and His Church. This is a rather tame idea of stewardship compared to the Biblical concept. First of all, today’s Gospel reading is about three slaves, not servants. (“Servants” is a watered-down translation.) Slaves don’t just give their time, treasure, and talents to their owners; they give their whole lives and give up their freedom as...

“The foolish ones said to the sensible, ‘Give us some of your oil. Our torches are going out.’ But the sensible ones replied, ‘No.’ ” –Matthew 25:8-9 Some things cannot be shared, no matter how much we might wish to share them. If a man has worked for years to reach peak physical condition, he cannot bestow his strength and endurance on someone else who asks for it. He can share his exercise regimen and dietary plan with another, but he cannot pass on his discipline and commitment to get in shape. That prime physical condition can only be attained...

“You must be prepared in the same way.” –Matthew 24:44 Since we “cannot know the Day [Jesus] is coming” (Mt 24:42), we must prepare to be ready to meet Him today and “settle with” Him (Mt 24:51). The Corinthians showed their preparedness by waiting “for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:7). We must also be prepared for the possibility that He might come back in a short time, for example, in a year. This means we must spread the Word of God with urgency just as did St. Paul and the apostles (1 Cor 7:29, 31;...