Jesus offers us the key to discipleship in today’s Gospel reading: “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 will find it” (Matthew 16: 24-25). Paradoxically, this is also the key to fulfillment and happiness. To be Christian disciples, we must deny ourselves by emptying ourselves of sin, pride,…
In today’s Gospel reading, Peter recognized and professed the truth of Christ’s identity: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). He proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of the living God, the Messiah, the King of heaven and earth. I can imagine Peter, who was sometimes impulsive, replying with fervor but without fully understanding the depth of his words. Jesus pointed out that Peter did not study to learn this.…
A great faith is a powerful thing. A faith that is firmly grounded in Christ enables great virtues to grow in us and enables us to trust in the Lord, which empowers us. When we believe that “for God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26), we are able to trust in His providence for us. A person of faith knows that God wants good things for us and that He will bless us with them…
Have you ever noticed that one of the first things that people do when they see a baby with his or her parent is try to see the resemblance between the child and the parents? “He has dad’s eyes,” or “she looks just like her mama!” As baptized Christians, we are children of God, made in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). All things were made through Christ (Colossians 1:16), so as Christians we bear…
What is the Kingdom of God? It’s so immense and diverse that it’s difficult for our minds to understand it. Jesus used parables to help explain His Kingdom. The parables of the mustard seed, the yeast, the pearl of great price, the hidden treasure, and the weeds among the wheat, to name a few. Each explores a different aspect of God’s Kingdom in ways that we can begin to understand. The parable of the weeds…
For this week’s reflection, I want to focus on just one of the types of soil from the parable of the sower: the thorny soil. Jesus said, “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit” (Matthew 13:22). It’s important to remember that God has chosen us, His disciples, to bear fruit. Jesus told His…
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. Matthew 11:28-30 Rest, Little One, rest in Me. I will take care of you. I will take care of all things. I am your God and I…
One of the things that I have missed the most during this time of social distancing due to Covid 19 is meeting in-person with my Bible study group. One of our group’s traditions is taking a meeting each month just for hospitality and fellowship. We take turns hosting our gathering in our homes. We have coffee and snacks, pray together, and simply enjoy being with each other. This focus on mutual hospitality and fellowship is…
You are a beloved child of God. Each and every human life is precious in God’s eyes. It doesn’t matter what family you were born into; your social status; the amount in your bank account; the positions of power or weakness you hold; your race, creed, color, ethnicity, nationality, class…you name it. None of that is important in God’s eyes. You have dignity and purpose, because you are made in His image and likeness (Genesis…
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. Our faith, hope, and love flow out of our prayerful reception of Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity that we receive each time we worthily receive Holy Communion. The union with Christ that we experience after receiving Holy Communion is a foretaste of the goal of our faith: being one with Christ in heaven. Receiving Holy Communion enables us to become one with Christ,…