Tagged: Prayer Intention

“They are fond of places of honor.” —Matthew 23:6 Our American society is “fond of places of honor.” We have honor rolls, radio and TV interviews, Halls of Fame, autograph sessions, awards banquets, and numerous other ways to honor others. While the Lord does call us to honor our parents (Dt 5:16; Sir 3:2ff) and all people (1 Pt 2:17), He is adamant that we do not seek honor for ourselves. “Let another praise you — not your own mouth; someone else — not your own lips” (Prv 27:2). Yet though we don’t praise ourselves directly, we are not to...

” ‘My friend,’ he said, ‘how is it you came in here not properly dressed?’ The man had nothing to say.” –Matthew 22:12 Jesus will sprinkle clean water on us to give us new life in Him and cleanse us from all our impurities (Ez 36:25). He will give us a new heart and a new spirit (Ez 36:26) and will even put His Spirit within us (Ez 36:27). Furthermore, He will give us robes of righteousness (see 2 Cor 5:3) and make us holy as He is holy (1 Pt 1:16). If we don’t have victory on earth and...

“For thus says the Lord God: I Myself will look after and tend My sheep.” –Ezekiel 34:11 God’s sheep were in bad condition. They were malnourished (see Ez 34:3), weak, sick, injured, strayed, lost (Ez 34:4), scattered, and vulnerable to “all the wild beasts” (Ez 34:5). In many places today, God’s sheep are also in critical condition. Our society, parts of the Church, many families, and countless Christians are in critical condition. However, there is hope in Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Jesus has already provided for the shepherding of all His sheep by laying down His life as the sacrificial...

“I will make an end of them.” –Deuteronomy 32:26 God’s Word states: “In whatever you do, remember your last days, and you will never sin” (Sir 7:36). The prince of Tyre apparently did not consider his last days, for he was puffed up with pride. So Ezekiel prophesied that the prince’s last days would be filled with reminders that he is not a god, but a mere man (Ez 28:7ff). The psalm response today likewise reminds the proud that their final days might be “close at hand,” and possibly even “rushing upon them” (Dt 32:35). In today’s Gospel passage, St....

“Will you not tell us what all these things that you are doing mean for us?” –Ezekiel 24:19 The actions of Ezekiel and Jesus in today’s Mass readings are shocking. They are prophetic statements meant to capture a person’s attention. In our secular culture, we are used to outlandish behavior and shocking statements. Grocery stores sell tabloid newspapers, and the typical headline uses the word “shocking.” News programs are on the watch for sound bites that grab our attention. After a while, we grow desensitized to these approaches, and we become shock-proof. Likewise, the rich young man and the people...