In today’s Gospel text, we read about two persons praying at the synagogue - one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. We see their different attitudes in prayer - the Pharisee singing praises of himself and the tax collector who doesn't dare look up to God as he humbles himself before God. Remember that Pharisees were members of a [...]
Liturgical Reflection for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time In today’s Gospel text, we read about two persons praying at the synagogue - one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. We see their different attitudes in prayer - the Pharisee singing praises of himself and the tax collector who doesn't dare look up to God as he humbles himself [...]
The Entrance Antiphon for this Sunday is: “I call upon you, God, for you will answer me; bend your ear and hear my words.” Today’s call is for us to pray continuously and never to lose heart, to focus our attention on the power of trusting and persevering in prayer. St. Augustine said, “If one’s faith weakens, prayer withers …. [...]
“If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead..” -Luke 16:31 Luke has been stressing on the topic of the right use of money and the necessity to share (Luke 15, Luke 16: 1-13). The same theme continues this week. Lazarus is the only person named in [...]
“No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” -Luke 16:13 The teachings of Jesus may not always be easy to comprehend and even when we understand them in our hearts, they may be difficult to act upon. The rich [...]
“There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” -Luke 15:7 Today’s Gospel reading speaks of the parables of a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a prodigal son. These parables emphasize the significance and value that God places on every lost sinner. He and His [...]
"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." -Luke 14:27 On this Twenty Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Church celebrates the spirit of commitment and the self-sacrifice of Christ. It was this spirit that made Jesus give up everything, including his own life for our sake. So, that through this same spirit, [...]
"Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled" Luke 14:1 It is the Sabbath, and after he healed a man on Sabbath, Jesus is invited to a meal at the house of a leading Pharisee. Jesus often has harsh words for the Pharisees. Why would a leader of the Pharisees invite him to dinner? Luke tells us that “they were watching him [...]
How much do you know your faith? How many times do you find yourself saying “I don’t know…” or give an uncertain answer to a question about the teachings of the Catholic Church? Jesus is telling us today that a blind shepherd, cannot lead the blind sheep. The teachers in the time of Jesus knew the scriptures and [...]
In the Old Testament, retaliating to someone who had inflicted pain unto a person was common. “Anyone who injures their neighbour is to be injured in the same manner: ‘'fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Lev.24:19-20). However Jesus in the New Testament is asking us to extend love to our enemy and persecutor. Anybody can [...]