Tagged: Daily Reflections

“A man came running up, knelt down before Him and asked, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to share in everlasting life?’ ” –Mark 10:17 The young rich man was brought up by good God-fearing parents. He had kept all the commandments from his youth (Mk 10:20). He only needed to do one more thing. But he had to do that, or he would never enter God’s kingdom. “Jesus looked at him with love and told him, ‘There is one thing more you must do. Go and sell what you have and give to the poor; you will then have...

“Make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name ‘of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’ ” –Matthew 28:19 As Christians, we not only believe in Three Persons in one God, but are baptized into, immersed into these Three Persons (Mt 28:19). When we wake up in the morning, the first word on our lips is in praise of the name of Jesus. Because Jesus is the only Way to the Father (Jn 14:6), we soon are thanking the Father for giving us another day, providing breakfast for us, and creating us. Because...

“Do not grumble against one another, my brothers, lest you be condemned.” –James 5:9 When we’re suffering, we feel compelled to grumble, complain, blame, or swear (Jas 5:12). However, we should suffer in silence. Jesus is our Model. Did He ever grumble against the apostles? Did He complain at the agony in the garden? Did He throw the first stone (Jn 8:7) or swear in court to His innocence? (Mt 27:12) Jesus suffered in silence. After suffering much, Job came to the same conclusion: “I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do...

“You have no idea what kind of life will be yours tomorrow.” –James 4:14 We think we know what we’re doing today or will do tomorrow or even next year. However, the truth is: “You have no idea what kind of life will be yours tomorrow.” We think we’re in control of our lives but, if we’re not in control of our deaths, how can we be in control of our lives? We “are a vapor that appears briefly and vanishes” (Jas 4:14). It is unrealistic, ignorant, and arrogant to think that we can do what we want, when we...

“I do believe! Help my lack of faith!” –Mark 9:24, our transl. Mass Readings: May 21 First: James 3:13-18; Resp: Psalm 19:8-10,15; Gospel: Mark 9:14-29 Listen to the Mass Readings Jesus expected His disciples and the crowd to have faith so as to expel demons (see Mk 9:19). Jesus invited the father of a possessed son to have greater faith (see Mk 9:23). Jesus connects faith with prayer (Mk 9:29). Will you pray to have a greater faith? (see Lk 17:5) How much will you pray for greater faith? Will you pray a Holy Hour for nine days to obtain...