Daily Reflections

  All week, we have watched houses fall and asked what holds. Today, the week ends where it has been heading — with the ruins on one side and a house that stands on the other, set right next to each other so we cannot miss the difference. First, the ruins. Lamentations gives us the…

  Yesterday, the Temple fell because the right words were never the foundation — only doing the Father’s will. But that can leave us anxious, as if it all comes down to our own effort, our own building. Today corrects that. The foundation that holds is one we do not construct. We received it. The…

  Yesterday, we went all the way down to the foundation God lays in us before we exist, the bedrock we cannot destroy. But today’s Gospel completes the picture, and the other half is sobering: the foundation beneath you may be indestructible, but the house you build on it is not. You can still raise…

  Yesterday, Hezekiah’s house stood because of a true trust — he carried the threatening letter up to the Temple and let God read it. But that leaves a question hanging: where does a foundation like that come from? Can we manufacture it ourselves? Today’s feast answers, and the answer goes deeper than anything we…

  Yesterday, Samaria fell, and we saw why: the siege did not cause the collapse; it revealed it. A house built on idols comes down when the pressure comes. So today the readings show us the other house — the one that stands. And they show us exactly what its foundation looks like in practice.…

  Yesterday we heard the Lord say it three times: “Do not be afraid.” He did not abolish our fears; he relocated them — gathering all that dread from every side and setting it down before a Father who counts the sparrows and numbers the hairs of our head. That was the foundation being laid.…

  You know the feeling before you can name it. You wake at three in the morning, and it’s already there — not a thought, just a pressure. You check your phone, and there are twelve reasons to be afraid before coffee: the diagnosis, the unanswered email, the kid who isn’t calling back, the uncertainty…

  Jesus tells us, “Do not worry about what you will eat or drink or what you will wear.” Instead, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all things will be given you besides.” But what would happen if you stopped going through all the effort and worry it takes to provide…

  Treasures on earth or treasures in heaven: it sounds as though we must choose one or the other. But God made us to desire and even require both types of treasures to exist as human beings. God made us body and soul. The body depends on earthly treasures, like food, shelter, meaningful work, and…

  “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Our tradition and our faith suggest that we do not know the way to eternal happiness and must depend on God to show us the way. This contrasts with all the voices of our culture and even of our own psyche and reason,…

  In today’s gospel, Jesus tells his listeners to do their religious acts–prayer, fasting, almsgiving–in secret, so that their reward comes from God, not admiring neighbors. However, the point of the gospel is not about getting a reward. Jesus isn’t telling us how to heap up points in God’s eyes. Rather, he is telling us…

  Don’t we all have somewhere deep down inside this feeling that we are supposed to follow Jesus’ command “to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect?” It’s why we go to church, do charitable deeds, and try to live a virtuous life. We think that by doing these good things, we will get…

  Just as evil begets evil, good begets good. The Old Testament principle, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” recognized that evil multiplies and escalates if the response to an evil act is not limited to an equal evil act. Jesus came not to limit evil but to overcome it.…

  God’s strength is seen best in our weakness. That is the underlying theme of the Scriptures this week. It also happens to be the underlying theme of the Christian faith! Today we hear that message in the twin realities of God choosing a weak and insignificant people—the Israelites—to be his chosen people, and God…

  “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49 When Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus in the caravan, they were understandably worried. Mary said to the child Jesus, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have…

  “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30 In today’s Gospel…

  “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” Matthew 5:21-22 Today we continue our reading of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In today’s Gospel,…

  “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17 In today’s Gospel reading, we continue reading through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. On Monday, we heard how Jesus went up a mountain to teach. This is a subtle…

  “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:13-14 In today’s Gospel reading, we continue from where we left off yesterday in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus compares his disciples to salt and light, both of which were essential in the ancient world. Salt was used…

  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.” Matthew 5:3-5 Over the next few days, we will be reading from one of the most famous sermons ever preached: The…

  “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” John 6:56 Today’s Gospel reading ranks among the most difficult passages in the entire Bible. Jesus tells us that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood to have eternal life. When the crowd questions this teaching, we…

  Since last Wednesday, the first reading at daily Mass has been from 2nd Timothy. St. Paul has been exhorting Timothy to remember his example of service in the name of Jesus, whether it is convenient or inconvenient. The Lord, the just judge, will award a crown of righteousness to one who gives his life…

  Is there one person who impresses you? Someone you truly esteem? Do you wish you were a little like him or her? Timothy had known St. Paul for years. He was brought to faith in Jesus by St. Paul. He received instruction in the usual way. He also witnessed his way of life, which…

  Most people are familiar with the ten commandments given by God to Moses. However, some Old Testament scholars say that there are really 613 commandments. So, the scribe’s question to Jesus, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”, is really an attempt to simplify matters. According to Jesus, to love God above all…

  St. Paul was imprisoned in Rome and was nearing the end of his apostolic ministry. He had founded a Church in Ephesus and appointed his trusted helper, Timothy, to lead that community. However, Timothy was facing much persecution. It was important for the Ephesians that Timothy remain steadfast in the face of hardships and…

  St. Peter tells us to “Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God.” The ladder of virtues (faith > virtue > knowledge > self-control > endurance > devotion > mutual affection > love) takes time to climb because we sometimes take two steps backward. The “waiting” part St. Peter speaks of…

  The 2nd letter of St. Peter warns early Christians to beware of false teachers and encourages hearers to grow in faith. The Gospel of St. Mark strives to strengthen the faith of those enduring persecution. St. Peter outlines a beautiful “Christian growth chain” or “ladder of virtues”, which begins with personal belief (faith) and…

  “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself.” (CCC 234) In various ways, God has always been present with his people. God the Father created the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve. He communicated with Moses and…

  In today’s gospel, Jesus shows us why his opponents have such a hard time with him and ultimately reject him. It begins when they ask him a question: “by what authority are you doing these things?” This seems like an honest question, but what Jesus does in answer shows that it is not. Jesus…

  In the middle of today’s gospel, we have the cleansing of the Temple. Jesus arrives at the Temple in Jerusalem, and, not liking what he is seeing, he throws a small personal riot. He overturns the tables of the money changers and the sellers of doves and chases out all of those dealing in…

  Today’s gospel recounts Jesus’ encounter with the blind Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus is sitting by the side of the road, and he hears that the man Jesus is passing by. Knowing Jesus’ reputation for healing, Bartimaeus cries out, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!” And he keeps calling out like this, even when others…

  Today’s gospel passage begins with Jesus telling the disciples about his coming Passion, which will occur when they get to Jerusalem. Shortly after this, he is approached by James and John, who ask him: “Grant that in your glory we may sit, one at your right and the other at your left.” This must…

  Today’s gospel passage begins with Peter pointing out to Jesus that he and his fellow apostles have given up everything to follow him. This prompts Jesus to speak about the reward that comes from following him. This in turn draws our attention because we, like Peter, would like to know what benefits we can…

  Today we celebrate the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. This memorial was established in 2018 by the Congregation for Divine Works and the Discipline of the Sacraments in the Vatican (now called the Dicastery for Divine Works and the Discipline of the Sacraments). This memorial recognizes Mary’s unique relationship to Christ and…

  One of the best descriptions I have heard about how to understand the Holy Trinity speaks of the love of the Father and the Son being so strong that this bond of love is the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. So, the Holy Spirit is the bond of love between Father and Son.…