So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. -Hebrews 4:16 We’re coming to the end of the Church year. Our Mass readings start pointing to the end of time, the saints in heaven, and are directed to the feast of Christ the King at the end of November. As our King, Jesus sits on a glorious throne in heaven. If you want to get…
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21 Changing up different styles of prayer is one way to encounter Jesus in new, unexpected ways. This week, I decided to use visio divina to help me think about our Gospel passage for this Sunday on the…
The Lord God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” -Genesis 2:18 At the dawn of creation, time and time again, God deemed His work “good.” He created time, space, land, vegetation, light, living creatures, and man in his own image. When He completed each work, He saw that it was good. At the end of all His works, He surveyed all of…
Let’s start by stating the obvious: Jesus does NOT want us to cut off our hands or pluck out our eyes (see Mark 9:38-48)! Jesus was using hyperbole–extreme examples–to get His disciples’ attention and make a point. He wanted to show that sin is serious business. So serious that it would be better to lose a hand, foot, or eye than to continue sinning with them as “accomplices.” So serious, indeed, that it would be…
If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. – Mark 9:35 There’s a lot of talk these days about who is the “greatest of all time”–the GOAT–especially in sports. The world would say that you are the “GOAT” if you are the best ever at whatever it is you do. But to be great in God’s eyes is a whole different ball game (pun intended).…
Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it (Mark 8:35). This Sunday’s Gospel reading is the heart of discipleship: deny yourself and lift up your crosses every single day in imitation of Jesus. To follow Jesus—to truly be His disciples, day-in…
“And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.” –Mark 7:32 In our Gospel passage today, Jesus healed a man who could not hear or speak. He was essentially cut off from communicating with others. But Jesus was able to communicate His healing touch to the man. Notice that Jesus took the man aside privately. Healingis one-on-one work. Then Jesus touched the…
Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart…shall never be disturbed. – Psalm 15: 2,3,5 Spiritually, your heart is the seat of your person. When we speak “from the heart,” it is from a place deep inside us; what we say is genuine and sincere. You can think of your heart as “the real you.” Jesus is speaking about the condition of our hearts in our Gospel reading this Sunday.…
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.(John 6:56) We all have a choice in who we choose to follow. What person or group to follow on social media, what bands we listen to, and what authors we will read. We can also choose whether or not we will follow Jesus. In our first reading, the Israelites had been through some difficult times, to say the least. Moses…
The sacrament of charity, the Holy Eucharist is the gift that Jesus Christ makes of himself, thus revealing to us God’s infinite love for every man and woman. – Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis, 1 I want to issue a challenge in this reflection. I bet you $10 that if you’re reading this you already believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Either that, or you’re at least a little curious about…