Tagged: verse for the day

“The men who were traveling with [Saul] stood there speechless.” –Acts 9:7 The conversion of St. Paul is so spectacular, so sudden, and so unexpected that it leaves us awestruck at the sovereign majesty and converting power of the Lord Jesus. Because of the incomprehensible power of Jesus to convert anyone, even the worst of sinners like St. Paul (1 Tm 1:15), each one of us “shall stand speechless” in the sight of God (Is 52:15), “for nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). Therefore, today’s feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul is a sign of great hope for...

“Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry now, just as He is Mediator of a better covenant.” –Hebrews 8:6 Today’s 7AM Mass had forty-three faithful worshippers. That’s a pretty good crowd for a morning Mass, but several million people live in the Greater Cincinnati area and most of them are not attending Mass today. Understandably, many are unable to fit Mass into their busy schedules, but others could make the time but are not attracted to Mass. Jesus is present at this Mass. He is present in the Holy Eucharist (Catechism, 1373). Miracles and healings are undoubtedly happening at this...

“He addressed the man with the shriveled hand: ‘Stand up here in front!’ ” –Mark 3:3 Is any part of your life shriveled, withered, atrophied? Do you use the power given by your Baptism to evangelize, heal, free, and feed the broken, starving masses? Are you exercising your spiritual muscles, or are they atrophied because of non-use? Jesus wants to heal you. He wants every part of His body and of our bodies and spirits to work. Perhaps your ability to produce children is atrophied through the shriveling effects of artificial contraception, sterilization, or abortion. Jesus wants every part of...

“Like a sure and firm anchor, that hope extends beyond the veil.” –Hebrews 6:19 In the Christian life, the old saying is true: “All’s well that ends well.” Some people are like the good thief who probably lived a terribly sinful life but repented moments before his death (Lk 23:42-43). Others may be like Judas Iscariot, who spent every day with Jesus for three years, but in the end betrayed Christ and committed suicide. Will each of us persevere in our faith? “Our desire is that each of you show the same zeal to the end” (Heb 6:11). We persevere...

“On that day they will fast.” –Mark 2:20 Many years ago there was an expression: “He couldn’t punch his way out of a wet paper bag.” This was a way of calling someone a weakling. People questioned why Jesus’ disciples did not fast. Jesus answered that the fasting by His disciples would be so powerful and extreme that their lives wouldn’t be able to take the effects of it. It would be like pouring fermenting, volatile new wine into an old wineskin (Mk 2:22). Only after Jesus’ death, Resurrection, and Ascension into heaven culminating in Pentecost would His disciples have...