Scripture: Joel 2:12-182 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Reflection: You are merciful to all, O Lord, and despise nothing that you have made. You overlook people’s sins, to bring them to repentance, and you spare them, for you are…
Scripture: Sirach 35:1-12Mark 10:28-31 Reflection: Following Jesus…Really! Today’s Gospel selection flows from yesterday’s Gospel wherein the evangelist Mark relates the touching saga of a rich young man who runs after Jesus, kneels before Him and asks what he must do…
Scripture: Sirach 17:20-24Mark 10:17-27 Reflection: Today, we are privileged to hear a gospel that many believe has inspired ordinary folk, saints and founders throughout history to take radical action for the sake of Jesus Christ. The challenge that Jesus puts…
Scripture: Sirach 27:4-71 Corinthians 15:54-58Luke 6:39-45 Reflection: Has anyone ever told you the story about when an airplane is in trouble, each passenger is instructed to put on their own oxygen mask first before they help others put on their…
Scripture: Sirach 17:1-15Mark 10:13-16 Reflection: Today’s readings could seem to be a paradox, which is a self-contradictory statement or situation. The book of Sirach, sometimes called Ecclesiasticus, is part of the wisdom tradition in the Catholic bible. Ben Sira, a…
Scripture: Sirach 6:5-17Mark 10:1-12 Reflection: During my time serving in parish ministry as a pastoral associate, one of my treasured experiences would be the opportunity to prepare couples for their marriage. Every couple brought a different story of how they…
Scripture: Sirach 5:1-8Mark 9:41-50 Reflection: In our first reading from Sirach, the author says, “Delay not your conversion to the Lord.” This is toward the end of our reading, but what has gone before, and what we hear Jesus say…
Scripture: Sirach 4:11-19Mark 9:38-40 Reflection: Wisdom. We do not often enough reflect on this virtue. We are more familiar with “Faith, Hope, and Love.” But wisdom in today’s reading from Sirach is full of rich images, not the least of…
Scripture: Sirach 2:1-11Mark 9:30-37 Reflection: In the Crucible of Humiliation Some time ago I had a layover in the Denver airport. To pass the time I wandered over to a bookstore and noticed the titles of books in the window:…
Scripture: Sirach 1:1-10Mark 9:14-29 Reflection: Encountering Christ I have often thought about some of the most impressive people I have encountered. It had to be Cardinal Ratzinger. Years ago he came to our monastery in Germany where I had a…