How interesting that our second reading this Sunday is from St. James who exhorts us to put off “selfish ambition” and instead “cultivate peace” (3:16-18). The Gospel passage shows Jesus’s disciples arguing about who was the greatest (Mark 9:34). Later in Mark, James and John ask to be the greatest in the kingdom by sitting at Jesus’s right and left hand (10:35-37). They are still hustling to get a spot at the top! St. James…
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. – Matthew 28:17 The Gospel reading for today is from the very end of Matthew. At the tomb on Easter morning, the Risen Christ told Mary Magdalen: “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me” (Matthew 28:10). Then the…
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. – John 15:5 Have you ever felt burned out in your vocation, job, or ministry? Completely spent, like you just couldn’t get anything accomplished or make progress at all? If so, today’s Gospel reading is for you. Well, it’s for all of us, but it can particularly speak…
Here is a list of 7 practical tips for how to live out the new evangelization in your own walk of life. First, in case you missed them, here are the last two blog posts for some context: Mission of Mercy and Christian Witness. 1. Encounter the Mercy and Love of God Witnessing to Christ means that you have a relationship with Him and want to invite others to encounter His love and mercy for…
You are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:48 When you hear the words “new evangelization,” what do you think of? Knocking on doors to tell strangers about Jesus? Or is it not about you at all, but more about the priests, bishops, authors, and Catholic media working to spread the Gospel to more people? What’s wonderful is that each and every Christian has a part to play in helping Jesus fulfill His mission of mercy…
Moses spoke to all the people, saying: “A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kin; to him you shall listen. – Deuteronomy 18:15 Have you ever heard of “active listening?” It’s an exercise where you seek to actively listen to and understand the sentiment that a person is communicating to you. It takes an effort to listen, refrain from interrupting, and strive to truly understand…
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. Mark 1:18 What are some things in your life that you have left behind? Your school years? A past job or career path? Certain relationships? In this Sunday’s Gospel passage, we continue the theme of discipleship that we talked about last week. We hear how Jesus called His first disciples and what they left behind to follow Him. Simon and Andrew left behind their livelihood as fishermen…
“What are you looking for?” John 1:38 We are all looking for something in this life. We wake up each day searching for it. We often think that people or things can bring it to us. The Declaration of Independence affirms that all people are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” and the thing we are all looking for is one of them. Do you know what it is yet? 🙂 The thing…
Fourth Sunday of Advent “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”– Mary, The Annunciation, Luke 1:38 Yes, Lord, may it be done to me according to Your Word (Luke 1:38). Yes, Lord, I will follow You no matter where You lead me. Shepherd me and I will be Your beloved sheep (Psalm 23:1) Yes, Lord, I accept all the successes You will bring me.…
What in the world caused some of those who were invited to the king’s banquet to mistreat and even kill the servants extending the king’s invitation? I’ve heard of shooting the messenger for delivering bad news, but this is way out of hand and completely incongruous. The servants were inviting them to a royal party with a sumptuous banquet. I’m sure there was even an open bar! 😅 So why did they behave this way?…