We all know the golden rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Lk 6:31). Easier said than done, right? Notice that the rule is not, “Do to others as they deserve.” Thank goodness, because we don’t always deserve to receive mercy. We fail each other. We can be hurtful to others. We sin against God and each other. Even so, we’re called to “be merciful, just as your Heavenly Father…
Pope Francis wrote, “Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality, or joy. On the contrary, you will become what the Father had in mind when he created you, and you will be faithful to your deepest self” (Rejoice & Be Glad, 32). In the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches us the key to happiness: holiness. The world says that happiness consists of money, pleasure, power, and honor. But Jesus…
Today’s readings point to our roles as missionary disciples. In the first reading, Isaiah feels unworthy. But once his lips have been made clean he responds, “Here I am…send me!” (Is 6:5-8). Similarly, we may feel unworthy to tell people about God. After Isaiah was purified, he was confident and bold; perhaps after we’ve been purified in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we too may feel more confident in proclaiming the Gospel. In the Psalm, we…
Jesus loves me. You’ve likely heard that song many times, maybe so much that the words have lost some of their meaning. At a recent Grace that Reigns retreat, Bishop Emeritus Gilmore of Dodge City told us how much God loves us on an individual, personal level. He said that God loves you _______ (your name here), so much that He couldn’t imagine a world without you in it. That God would have made the…
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it” (1 Cor 12:27). Each part of our bodies has a specific purpose, a role to play in the success of the whole. In our second reading, St. Paul describes the importance of each part of the body. We need our eyes to see, our hands to work, our legs and feet to get us around, and so on. Because we are each a part of…
Today Jesus reveals His divinity at the miracle at Cana. It was Mary who noticed that the wine had run short at the wedding: “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3). Jesus replied: “My hour has not yet come” (Jn 2:4). Jesus’s hour came later at the Last Supper, where He turned bread and wine into His Body and Blood: “Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this…
In the early weeks of the new Church year, our readings reflect on Jesus’ identity, which is entwined with His mission. Remember that Mary was to “name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:21). The Epiphany of the Lord (last week), the Baptism of the Lord (this week), and the miracle at Cana (next week) each reveal Jesus’ identity and mission in a different way. At the Epiphany, the…
“We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Mt 2:2). There’s been much debate on the origin of the Christmas Star. Some think it was a comet or supernova. Others think it was a conjunction of planets. Planetariums even have “Star of Bethlehem” shows to explore all the theories. Whatever the cosmic origin, the star was from God. He placed it in the sky for a purpose: to guide…