Tagged: Daily Reflection

“Make your lives worthy of the God Who calls you to His kingship and glory.” –1 Thessalonians 2:12 “Lead a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him in every way” (Col 1:10). “Conduct yourselves, then, in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27). “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Eph 4:1). The Lord commands us to lead lives worthy of Him, the Gospel, and our calling. Will the Lord be able to declare the end of this day and the end of our lives “worthy”? Before receiving Jesus in Holy Communion,...

“The exhortation we deliver does not spring from deceit or impure motives.” –1 Thessalonians 2:3 The Lord, being all-knowing, “sees right through us.” “Nothing is concealed from Him; all lies bare and exposed to the eyes of Him to Whom we must render an account” (Heb 4:13). He sees not only our secret thoughts (see Heb 4:12) but also our motives (see 1 Cor 4:5). The Lord is very concerned about our motives being pure (see 1 Thes 2:3). He insists that we give our lives purely, exclusively, completely, and wholeheartedly to Him. “The eyes of the Lord roam over...

“Jesus responded: ‘Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see much greater things than that.’ ” –John 1:50 St. Bartholomew (Nathanael) was prejudiced against Jesus because Jesus came from Nazareth (Jn 1:46). After Jesus mentioned He saw Nathanael under the fig tree, however, Nathanael changed completely, from prejudice to faith. He acknowledged Jesus as “the Son of God” and “the King of Israel” (Jn 1:49). Why was Nathanael so impressed by Jesus’ remark that He saw him under the fig tree? What was Nathanael doing under the fig tree? No...

“Does it shake your faith?” –John 6:61 When Jesus talks about His eucharistic presence, people exclaim: “This sort of talk is hard to endure! How can anyone take it seriously?” (Jn 6:60) However, Jesus refuses to re-phrase the revelation of His eucharistic presence. He insists that the issue is not His words but our faith in His words (see Jn 6:61). He challenges us not to think about His words merely with our human capabilities, for “the flesh is useless” (Jn 6:63) and His words “are spirit and life” (Jn 6:63). Faith in Jesus’ eucharistic presence is a matter of...

“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” –Matthew 23:12 Jesus criticized some religious leaders for being proud. Pride was the reason for some of them being spiritually blind, fools, and hypocrites (see Mt 23:13, 17). Therefore, Jesus called them to humble themselves, and He calls us to do the same (Mt 23:12). Jesus “humbled Himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8) Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, wants to make our hearts like His (Mt 11:29). He wants “a people humble and lowly” (Zep 3:12). The Lord commands us: “In...