A “masterclass” is a lesson given by an expert to knowledgeable students. Thank you, St. Mark, for blessing us with a masterclass in prayer in this Sunday’s Gospel! Here we have the story of Blind Bartimaeus, the poor beggar who heard Jesus passing by and called out for healing. He had a dialogue with Jesus—that’s prayer! If St. Mark taught us in person, here are some high points he might hit. Approach prayer with listening…
The whole of the Christian life can be summed up in these four words: love God, love others. Our Gospel reading for this Sunday holds a beautiful gem. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is this: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor…
Have you ever seen a watchtower? You could imagine a tall tower in a castle where knights keep watch for dangers. Take special note of the watchtower in the parable of the vineyard in this Sunday’s Gospel reading (Matthew 21: 33-43). The watchtower is a place of safety, a place to keep a lookout for things that might damage the vineyard, like thieves and enemies. But pay close attention, because the tenants in this reading…
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…
Just after His resurrection, Jesus met two disciples on the road to Emmaus. One of the disciples was Cleopas; the other is unnamed. We know that Mary, the wife of Clopas, was one of the women who was present at the crucifixion (John 19:25). Some Biblical scholars have postulated that this Mary could have been the second disciple. So we might imagine a married couple who had been disciples of Christ just days before—one of…
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Most Catholics have heard of offering up our sufferings for Christ. But how exactly can we do this? In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Simeon told Mary that she would share in Christ’s sufferings: “and you yourself a sword will pierce” (Luke 2:35). Mary knew Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant (Isaiah 53). She was aware that suffering was a key part of her Son’s mission, and she knew…
A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low; The rugged land shall be a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. ~Isaiah 40:3-5 Jesus, prepare my heart for Your coming. Show me the…
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. In a special way, we recognize our role as subjects who have the honor and privilege of helping to bring about the Kingdom of Christ here on earth. Jesus spoke of His Kingdom often. Sometimes He spoke of it directly: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15).…
The meaning of the parable in this Sunday’s Gospel reading is set out directly for us: “Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary” (Lk 18:1). How often do we become weary? Weary of prayer, weary of our jobs and responsibilities, weary of our problems and illnesses? The answer for me is too often. How many times have I found myself with heavy eyelids while sitting…
In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 11:1-13), Jesus exhorts us to persevere in prayer and trust in the infinite goodness of God: “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Lk 11:9-10). Prayer stretches our souls so that God…