Memorial of St. Clare, Virgin
An unfamiliar story is told today from Matthew wherein Peter comes to Jesus concerned about how they are going to pay the tax, a religious obligation for the upkeep of the Temple in Jerusalem, not an imperial levy demanded by Rome. Jesus discusses the obligation to pay the tax, makes a very sound argument for why the Son of God ought to be exempted, and then says that they are going to pay it anyway so as not to offend the tax collectors standing at the gate.
Saturday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and strength. These are the commands we receive from Moses today. And in case we’re wondering how seriously we should take these commands, Moses underscores the point with additional commands: drill them into your children, speak of them wherever you are, make reminders of them, wear them on your wrist and even on your forehead so you never forget them.
If you think you just don’t have time for all that today, know that God’s not interested in the length of your to-do list. In God’s way of seeing things, you can never be too busy to proclaim your love for God.
Memorial of St. Dominic, Priest
How often have we heard this verse, this line from today’s gospel reading, of Jesus instructing his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”? (Matthew 16:24) I probably couldn’t count the number of times in my life I have read or heard this, or some version of it, and still I am not sure what exactly is meant by “taking up my cross.” I mean I get the general idea, but what does it mean specifically in my life, in our lives as Christians, as followers of Christ?
Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s first reading, God’s sanctity is highlighted. This scripture encouraged me to stop and reflect on God’s sanctity and what this means for us.
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Today’s Gospel tells us about today’s feast, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Jesus went up the mountain to pray with Peter, John, and James. The disciples fell asleep and woke up to find Jesus transfigured and conversing with Moses and Elijah. Peter suggested building tents for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus but then a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my chosen Son; listen to him’” (Luke 9: 36). What can this Gospel reading and feast mean for us today?
Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today we have many threads coming together. The Church - especially in Rome - celebrates the memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major. We are more familiar now with this church since it is the burial site of our late Pope Francis who often chose to pray in front of an icon of Mary there. In his description, “The child holds the Holy Book with his left hand and blesses with his right; and the first one to be blessed is his mother, blessed among all women.” Jesus - even as a child, offers his blessing.
Memorial of St. John Vianney, Priest
In the Gospels the miracles and parables of Jesus have one purpose — revelations of the Kingdom of God. Today in blessing simple food, Jesus reveals a great sign of that Kingdom.
Memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop & Doctor of the Church
I found myself laughing in the middle of today's gospel story (Matthew 13:54-48) at the people who "were astonished" at Jesus. They've known him forever, watched him grow up, maybe know some embarrassing childhood stories, saw him working with Joseph in the workshop - and now here he is, doing "mighty deeds." They're incredulous, to say the least. Perhaps more than one of them is thinking, "So now this guy is coming in and pretending to be all high and mighty? Whatever."
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest
As we hear in today’s Gospel, Jesus favored parables—short allegories featuring people, places, and things familiar to ordinary listeners—to get his point across. These parables are centered on the Kingdom of God, in stark contrast to the Kingdom of this world.
Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the Kingdom of Heaven. As Christians we strive to reach the Kingdom of Heaven. Our hope is in Jesus who tells us that when we die from this world we will be born again into new life, in the kingdom of heaven. We are taught that if we follow Christ’s example and live as He did that we will one day join Him in paradise, in the kingdom. But let’s take that one step further. When we pray the Our Father, the prayer Jesus himself taught us, we are striving for something more. We are striving to bring that illusive, unknown kingdom here on Earth. We are told the Kingdom of Heaven is not only meant for our life after death, but it is our goal to create that Kingdom here and now on Earth.
Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, & Lazarus
Today’s Memorial recognizes the gift of three siblings who were close friends of Jesus and often welcomed him into their home. In 2021, Pope France introduced the additions of Saints Mary and Lazarus to the memorial of St. Martha, giving us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our role as families and communities in relating to Jesus. The lectionary gives us two gospel story options - both full of emotion and honest dialogue with Jesus, showing the intimacy and trust that the three siblings had in Him.
Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
For every backyard gardener invasive weeds can be maddening. In our area this is especially true of chick-weed and honeysuckle. Neither are native plants. On Arbor Days, back in the 1940s & 1950s, honeysuckle was sent home with school children to plant. A poor choice as when you think this plant has been eradicated it pops up again with renewed vigor.
Memorial of Saints Joachim & Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
You may recall the “What Would Jesus Do?” phenomenon that took especially young Christians by storm in the early 1990s. It emerged when a young youth pastor in Holland, Michigan resurrected the question on behalf of a grassroots movement she started in hopes of inspiring Christian youth to become more active disciples of Christ. Participants in the movement were reminded throughout their day of this pressing discipleship question whenever they glanced down at their wrists and saw the trademark token of the movement: a solid color woven bracelet featuring the acronym WWJD. Of course, the bracelets (and t-shirts and ball caps and all the rest) also served as identity markers for who was part of this movement—and who was serious about following Jesus.
Feast of St. James, Apostle
In today’s gospel reading from Matthew (20:20-28) we are reminded that Jesus isn’t about power and status and striving to be first. Jesus uses the question posed by James’ and John’s mother to instruct his disciples in what they (and we) should be striving for: to serve others. Jesus poses the question to the brothers, “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” And although they say “yes”, they don’t yet get what is being asked of them. How many of us have been eager to say “yes” in life, perhaps with a youthful enthusiasm, only to later realize that it would be harder than we thought?
Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In both scripture readings today, the people in the stories encounter God. Throughout our days, we too have opportunities to encounter God in various ways. Do we recognize God in our daily lives?
Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Honestly, I’m not much of a gardener. I've overwatered and underwatered plants and accidently cut plants that weren't weeds. However, I lived with Marianist Sisters who are great gardeners. Whenever I have observed them growing plants from seed, I’m always struck by how much time and care they take. They get rich soil, are attentive to how much water and light to give, and keep track of the seeds’ growth. From these Sisters, I gain a better understanding of Jesus’ parables and metaphors that reference planting.
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
First, it’s important to note that today is a feast! In 2016, Pope Francis elevated the memorial of Mary Magdalene to a feast day, putting her on a more equal footing with the other apostles. She was, after all, the “apostle to the apostles” – the one to whom Jesus entrusted the news of resurrection and the one sent to tell the other apostles.
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Our first reading today anticipates the well known parting of the sea in Exodus. Our Responsorial Psalm celebrates the event.
These writings are beloved of movie makers, providing spectacular cinema. The 1956 Cecil B. de Mille film The Ten Commandments thrilled audiences with the then novel visual effects that parted the Red Sea with walls of water rearing up and exposing the sea bed allowing safe passage for the Hebrews.
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In Psalm 136 today, we hear: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.” Freed us from our foes? His mercy endures forever. Split the Red Sea? His mercy endures forever. Led Israel through its midst? His mercy endures forever.
Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
“That same night they shall eat its roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”
The word maror (מרור) in Hebrew means “bitter herbs” or, simply, “bitterness.” From the moment God instituted the Passover meal, the bitter herbs have been an essential item on the menu. They are a symbol and a tangible reminder of the anguish of slavery.