Tagged: Daily Reflections

“Alas, we are being punished because of our brother.” –Genesis 42:21 When something bad happens to you, do you feel you’re being punished? The Lord may not be punishing you, but you may be punishing yourself because of guilt. For example, Joseph’s brothers were still arguing and feeling guilty decades after attempting to kill Joseph and finally selling him into slavery (Gn 42:22). Jesus wants to free you from the torture-chamber of guilt (see Mi 7:18-19). Maybe you feel guilty of sexual sin. If you have not confessed your sin, do so in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Pray with David:...

“Jesus turned around and saw her and said, ‘Courage, daughter! Your faith has restored you to health.’ That very moment the woman got well.” –Matthew 9:22 The Lord wants to inspire us to greater faith through the example of the synagogue leader and the hemorrhaging woman. The synagogue leader showed great faith in Jesus. His daughter was dead, so he did not ask Jesus to heal her but to raise her from the dead (Mt 9:18). Before Jesus raised the girl from the dead, a woman hemorrhaging for twelve years expressed her faith in Jesus by touching the tassel of...

“My grace is enough for you.” –2 Corinthians 12:9 Alleluia! Today is Resurrection day, the weekly celebration of that first Easter morning when Jesus rose from the tomb, triumphed over sin and death, and made all things new for us. Today is a day of unity, when believers from all over this earth gather to worship almighty God, listen to His living, all-powerful Word, and receive the Bread of Life, Jesus Himself (Jn 6:35). Today we learn again that God loves us so much that He can never give us enough of His blessings. Alleluia! How wonderful is God’s plan...

“My Lord and my God!” –John 20:28 At the elevation of the host at Mass, we proclaim with St. Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28) Jesus invited Thomas to touch His body, so that he might believe that Jesus was truly risen. In Holy Communion, Jesus likewise invites us to touch and receive His Body, that we might also grow in faith. There is a connection, then, between St. Thomas’ doubt and the physical body of Jesus. In the first letter of John, we are told that every true spirit recognizes Jesus Christ come in the flesh (1...