“Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them?” – Luke 18:7 I once heard an explanation of a false idea of prayer as an ATM machine. This analogy really stuck with me. We don’t walk up to God, go through a snappy prayer routine, and then wait for the answered prayers to magically appear, like a neat…
“Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.” – Psalm 113:1 This week, let’s focus on the Responsorial Psalm. Specifically for this Sunday, let’s focus on the exhortation in Psalm 113 to praise God. There are many Psalms that urge the faithful to praise God, but why, and just how can we do that in our daily lives? The Catechism teaches: “Praise is the form of prayer which recognizes most immediately…
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”– Luke 10:40-42 Who of us can’t…
No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. – John 10:28-29 When fear creeps up, help me see Your care for me.When worry besets me, remind me of Your providence.When anxiety winds up, calm my troubled mind.When thoughts of dread arise, protect me, Jesus.When uncertainty lurks, lead me on the next…
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Luke 4:3-4 Do you ever wonder how Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days? It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “Jesus is God. He doesn’t need to eat!” But “Jesus Christ is true God and true man, in the unity…
…love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28 Here’s one of those Bible verses that’s easy to remember, sounds simple enough, but is one of the most difficult virtues to live out as a Christian disciple: love your enemies. We think to ourselves, “Yes, I strive to love everyone, even my enemies.” But then when the rubber meets the road…
…and you yourself a sword will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. – Luke 2:35 Do you ever find yourself burdened by worrying, ruminating over events and words of the past, or anxiety over things to come? Do your troubled thoughts ever overwhelm you? I can relate, and if so, this reflection is for you! Did you know that Mary has a very special role in our salvation as mediatrix of…
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…
“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…