In the Gospel passage for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, why does Jesus describe flaws of some teachers as being attitudes that their pupils, in all ages, must avoid at all costs? It is because, at a mere human level, fully trained disciples...
An important 19th century preacher and religious leader named Henry Ward Beecher was famous for his eloquent oratory and his powerful opposition to slavery, and his words and example carried great influence in American society. As a boy, he...
In the Gospel of Luke (14:25-33), great crowds were traveling with Jesus. Let this be the starting point of our reflection. Due to a number of reasons, those great crowds have been reduced considerably over the centuries and, as it is painfully...
The Bible offers to us believers a very accurate and rich list of the components that make up a human being. To the traditional dual components of body and soul, (the body being physical and the soul spiritual), the Bible adds mind and heart, spirit...
In the Gospel of Matthew (16:21-27), Jesus rebukes Peter saying, “Get behind me Satan!” The New American Bible translates that line as “Get out of my sight, you Satan!” This is one of the strongest rebukes by Jesus found in the New Testament. And I...
Today’s Gospel sheds some light on our claim that Jesus is truly present at our Eucharistic Celebrations and that he talks to us his words of life as he did 2000 years ago in Palestine. What we are reflecting on (Luke 14: 25-33) is an existential...
In the Gospel of Matthew (11:29), we read: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. Contrast this with the opening statement from the Gospel of Luke (12:49) for the 20th...
Chances are that, by now, our discipleship of Christ has acquired a degree of contained joy, of calculated poise. Is this fine? It would be fine for any human situation, but certainly not enough for those who claim to be following the Son of David...
