Tagged: Prayer in English

Jesus “spoke this parable addressed to those who believed in their own self-righteousness…” –Luke 18:9 Mass Readings: October 23 First: Sirach 35:12-14,16-18; Resp: Psalm 34:2-3,17-19,23; Second: 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Gospel: Luke 18:9-14 The Pharisee’s piety was admirable. He tithed ten percent of his gross income. He fasted two days a week, probably a very severe fast. How many of us tithe and fast to that extent? However, St. Luke points out specifically that his “prayer” was directed to himself, not to God (Lk 18:11, JB, RSV-CE). He compared his virtue to the standards of other people, not to the standards...

“Look here! For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down. Why should it clutter up the ground?” –Luke 13:7 Mass Readings: October 22 First: Ephesians 4:7-16; Resp: Psalm 122:1-5 ; Gospel: Luke 13:1-9 We don’t hear of Jesus cursing straggly, leafless trees. Rather, He cursed good-looking trees with lots of foliage but no fruit (Mt 21:19). Likewise, in Jesus’ letters to the churches in Revelation, He does not threaten to close bad-looking churches but ones that have great reputations yet little fruit. For example, to the church...

“There is but one body and one Spirit.” –Ephesians 4:4 Mass Readings: October 21 First: Ephesians 4:1-6; Resp: Psalm 24:1-6; Gospel: Luke 12:54-59 We must “make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force” (Eph 4:3). Without a deep, Trinitarian unity, the world will not have faith that Jesus has been sent by the Father (Jn 17:21). Without faith in Jesus, we will not let Jesus set us free (Jn 8:36). Thus, we will disqualify ourselves from receiving the graces of the Holy Spirit, the essence of which is...

“That is why I kneel before the Father from Whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name; and I pray.” –Ephesians 3:14-16 Mass Readings: October 20 First: Ephesians 3:14-21; Resp: Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,11-12,18-19; Gospel: Luke 12:49-53 Jesus is the second Person of the Trinity. The Trinity is the eternal, ultimate Holy Family. After His Incarnation, Jesus lived in another holy family with Mary and Joseph. Therefore, Jesus has high standards for family life. He calls families to be holy, sacramental signs of the Trinity as Family. To make holy, Trinitarian families, Jesus: lights “a fire on the earth”...

“Be on guard, therefore. The Son of Man will come when you least expect Him.” –Luke 12:40 Mass Readings: October 19 First: Ephesians 3:2-12; Resp: Isaiah 12:2-6; Gospel: Luke 12:39-48 When we expect the world to end and Jesus to come back at any time, we are: on guard against the evil one (see Lk 12:40; 1 Pt 5:8-9), trying to be “faithful, farsighted” stewards for the Lord (Lk 12:42), busy (Lk 12:43) showing our love for Jesus by feeding His sheep, that is, His people (see Jn 21:15-17; Lk 12:42), loving others rather than hurting them (see Lk 12:45),...