R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Psalm 23:1 The Man Born Blind Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord…Christ will give […]
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Psalm 95:8 The Woman At The Well Pope Benedict XVI wrote that “she thirsts for life itself and that all the assuaging that she seeks and finds cannot slake this living, elemental thirst…. There comes to light the real dilemma, the deep-seated waywardness, of their existence: she is […]
Let's go up the mountain and pitch a tent!
The Greed Trap: It is easy to regard possessions as treasures and to find so much pleasure in them that we want more and more…How do we let ourselves fall into this trap? Certainly, advertisements play a role in convincing us we need to own everything that is new and improved…Our own insecurities also play a role—the more we possess, […]
Are you struggling? Tired? In pain? Discouraged? “I know from experience that God makes up for what is lacking with great generosity. He gives us inwardly what outward circumstances deny. With him and by him I must become more loving, strong, and peaceful, live the inner life more, and yet give myself generously to those I love and to all […]
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord The Lord will bless his people with peace. Ps 29 In the Gospel from Luke Chapter 3, we see John the Baptist announcing the one who is mightier than he and will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. John was baptizing with water, not with power. Take some time this week to think about what baptism means for your life. Our baptism is different! …The Baptism given by Jesus, which the Church, faithful to his command, does not cease to administer, is quite different. This Baptism frees man from original sin and forgives his sins, saves him from slavery to evil and is a sign of his rebirth in the Holy Spirit; it imparts to him a new life, which is participation in the life of God the Father, given to us by his Only-Begotten Son who became man, died and rose again. 4. Dear brothers and sisters, in a few moments these children will also receive Baptism and become living members of the Church. They will first be anointed with the oil of catechumens, a sign of Christ’s gentle strength given to them to fight against evil. Then blessed water will be poured on them, a sign of their interior purification through the gift of the Holy Spirit, poured out by Jesus as he was dying on the Cross. They are then immediately given a second and more important anointing with “chrism”, to show […]
All things are possible with God.
Are you comparing? Are you for or against? Are you an obstacle for others? In this Gospel, the disciple John questions Jesus about an unknown exorcist who was driving out demons in Jesus’ name. John’s question might have been motivated by jealousy. Previously in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus healed a boy whom the disciples had been unable to heal. John’s question is further evidence that the disciples have not yet grasped Jesus’ words to them. They continue to compare themselves to others who seem to have greater healing powers, and they do not want to share the power of Jesus’ name with others…The disciples observed that the unknown exorcist invoked Jesus’ name and was successful in his healing efforts. This unknown healer recognized the power of Jesus’ name, yet he was not a follower of Jesus. Later in this Gospel, Jesus teaches us not to create obstacles for those who are just beginning to have faith but to encourage even the smallest signs of faith. The Greek word used here for sin also connotes “stumbling” or “causing scandal.” In vivid terms Jesus teaches his disciples the consequences to those who would put obstacles before people who are on the road to faith. – Excerpt from the Sunday Connection by Loyola Press. While the miracles that happen in these stories can be unbelievable, they are eyewitness accounts recorded for us in the Gospel. We learn that so much can happen in Jesus’ […]
Scripture focus for the February 7 Mass Jesus Heals the Sick all over Galilee Today’s Mass begins with Job crying out to the Lord in despair. Today, we might echo our own despair. Is this all there is? Why is life so hard? Why can’t I have an easy life like that guy over there? Can’t I just get a […]
I read the post linked below from Franciscan Media. They asked a good question. I took it a step farther. I agree that hope is difficult now. I am having a hard time taking the gift of hope out of the box so I can use it. I accept it, unwrap it, and take the lid off. The division and unrest I feel lately makes it hard to lift my arms to take hope out and use it. Like Moses, I need people to hold up my arms. (read Exodus 17! https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/17) The Battle of Amalek: Moses said he would stand at the top of the mountain overlooking the battle with his staff. This is the staff that parted the Red Sea for the Israelites’ escape, and brought water and quail out of the desert landscape. Some say that this is the same staff that turned into a snake in front of the Pharaoh. This walking stick became the “rod of God.” (I digress – become the stick in the hand of God! interesting, transformation, hmmm) But Moses couldn’t hold his arms up for the whole battle. First they gave him a rock to sit on. Then Joshua and Hur held his arms up for him. Why? Because when he became weak, they started to lose the battle! With the inspiration of Moses, I need some people or something to hold my arms up. All of the division and negative […]
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