Jesus, son of David, have pity on me. – Mark 10:47 In the early days of the faith, Christianity was called “The Way.” In our Gospel passage for Sunday (Mark 10:46- 52), Blind Bartimaeus “followed Jesus on the way” after his healing. He became a disciple! Bartimaeus recognized his need for a savior. He knew he couldn’t save or heal himself. He cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” What a good…
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…
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…
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…
Penitent Magdalen, Jesus forgave you of much. Pray for us that we might learn to accept the Lord’s forgiveness like you. Restored Magdalen, Jesus healed you of seven demons. Pray for us that the Lord will heal our dark places, too. Loving Magdalen, your healing and restoration led to a great love for the Lord. Pray for us that we might love Jesus more and more. Devoted Magdalen, you peacefully sat at the Lord’s feet…
In a homily Pope St. John Paul II gave on an apostolic trip to America, he offered this inspiring description of the Eucharist as the fullest expression of God’s love: “The Gospel of God’s love…finds its highest expression in the Eucharist. In the Mass and in Eucharistic Adoration we meet the merciful love of God that passes through the Heart of Jesus Christ.” Take a moment and imagine how this might work: God sends us…
Our Gospel reflection for this Sunday (John 15:9-17) is awe-inspiring. It’s part of the Last Supper discourses where Jesus spoke directly to His disciples about the most important aspects of discipleship, as well as the mysteries of salvation and the Holy Trinity. Jesus and the eleven apostles (Judas had already left to betray Him) had finished the Last Supper and He imparted these important truths to them before His Passion. This passage is part of…
Remain in me, as I remain in you. John 15:4 What does it mean to “remain” in Jesus? And what does it mean that Jesus “remains” in us? The word “remain” occurs eight times in our Gospel reading for this Sunday (John 15:1-8). In the allegory of the Vine and the Branches, Jesus teaches His disciples what it means to be in union with Him. We are called to be one with each other and…
…when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself. – John 12:32 All people belong to Jesus. Everyone. Not just Christians, all of mankind. He is King of the Universe, after all! In our Gospel passage for this Sunday (John 12:20-33), notice Jesus’s curious reaction after Andrew and Philip told Him that some Greeks wanted to speak with Him: “Jesus answered them: ‘The hour has come for the Son of…
Beloved: Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. – 1 Peter 3:18 When I think of a desert, I imagine a desolate place with no clear paths marked out for traveling. Just a wide expanse of sand or rocks without water or many plants or wildlife. It’s a place one could easily get lost. The desert of Lent can feel the same…