Scripture: Isaiah 45:1, 4-61 Thessalonians 1:1-5bMatthew 22:15-21 Reflection: In our Gospel reading for Sunday (Matthew 22:15-21), the Pharisees, who have been trying to trap Jesus into saying something that would get Him into trouble, come up with a question they…
Scripture: Romans 4:13, 16-18Luke 12; 8-12 Reflection: He believed, hoping against hope… –Romans 4:18 Have you ever had days where nothing was going in your favor. Things go from bad to worse. Maybe you lost your job or received an…
Feast of St. Paul of the Cross Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-9I Corinthians 1:17-25Matthew 9: 35-10:1 Reflection: Today, we Passionists celebrate the feast of our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Cross. I know that many of you have a devotion to…
Scripture: Romans 3:21-30Luke 11:47-54 Reflection: This is an age of boasting. Boasting is everywhere these days, but perhaps especially on social media where boasting knows no bounds. Athletes boast. So do celebrities and politicians. But so do most of us.…
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10-17bLuke 10:1-9 Reflection: “…The harvest is abundant…I am sending you…into whatever household you enter, first say, Peace…” I am not a big gardener, my parents did not have a flower or vegetable garden – there wasn’t space…
Scripture: Romans 1:16-25Luke 11:37-41 Reflection Our gospel today zeroes in on the dangers of “limp religion,” an approach to religion that is easy, reassuring, and even uplifting, but so focused on the trivial that it lacks the power to take…
Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-10aPhilippians 4:12-14, 19-20Matthew 22:1-14 Reflection: What does heaven look like? Jesus never gives a direct answer. Instead, he compares it to something earthy, something real, as he does in today’s gospel. “The kingdom of heaven may be likened…
Scripture: Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2Luke 11:15-26 Reflection: Both of today’s readings express a sure and solid belief in God’s providence for his people. God’s power is mightier than an invasion of locusts or an unclean spirit. God is on the side…
Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10Luke 10:38-42 Reflection: I travel for work, facilitate support groups, offer trainings and retreats, and write. I have three adult children and four grandchildren I long to spend time with, and I am responsible for a home, yard,…
Scripture: Jonah 1:1-2:2, 11Luke 10:25-37 Reflection: Could Today’s Lawyer be a Relative of Jonah the Prophet? We begin this week with a holiday, Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day, and we begin it with two stories from the lectionary. Courage…