Tagged: Daily Reflections

“As regards specific times and moments, brothers, we do not need to write you; you know very well that the day of the Lord is coming like a thief in the night.” —1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 We will be ready when Jesus returns if we: are “children of light and of the day” (1 Thes 5:5), do not belong to darkness or night (1 Thes 5:5), are not “asleep like the rest, but awake and sober” (1 Thes 5:6; cf Eph 5:14), and are “putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1...

Jesus “said to them, ‘You will doubtless quote Me the proverb, “Physician, heal yourself,” and say, “Do here in Your own country the things we have heard You have done in Capernaum.” But in fact’, He went on, ‘No prophet gains acceptance in his native place.’ ” —Luke 4:23-24 Jesus was tempted three times by the devil in the desert (see Lk 4:3ff). Next, He was tempted to make healing His primary occupation instead of prophecy and teaching (Lk 4:42). He was tempted to do what people wanted rather than what His Father wanted. Like all of us, Jesus was...

“My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved.” —Sirach 3:17 Decide to “conduct your affairs with humility.” Decide to clothe your whole life from top to bottom in humility (see 1 Pt 5:5). Then “you will be loved more than a giver of gifts” (Sir 3:17). God will give kindness, favor, and grace to you (Sir 3:18). In addition to being loved and graced, your humility will keep you from repeatedly embarrassing yourself, for the proud often make fools of themselves (see Lk 14:9). In the early stages of humility, we receive many wonderful benefits. As...

“As regards brotherly love, there is no need for me to write you. God Himself has taught you to love one another, and this you are doing with respect to all the brothers.” —1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 When most people think of love, they think of loving their spouses, children, neighbors, friends, or even their enemies. However, Jesus, Who became incarnate and made Himself our Brother (see Heb 2:11), puts a great emphasis on loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, God Himself taught the Thessalonian Christians to love their brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Thes 4:9). The...

“The reign of God can be likened to ten bridesmaids who took their torches and went out to welcome the groom.” —Matthew 25:1 The five foolish virgins may not have been any more foolish than most people. They had enough oil in their torches if the bridegroom came at the time expected. Even the wise virgins thought that if the groom came very late, the foolish virgins might have time to go and buy some more oil (Mt 25:9). Furthermore, the foolish virgins presumed the bridegroom would let them in late if they did not get back in time (Mt...