Mar 13 Scripture
Hosea's prophecy, "We shall say no more, 'Our god,'
to the work of our hands" (Hosea 14:4) is so relevant for our times. Rather, redemption lies in this: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself" (Mk 12:30-31).
Mar 12 Scripture
Jesus experienced Jeremiah's words: "They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me" (Jer 7:24). He healed a mute man but they said he was in cahoots with Beelzebul (Lk 11:15). Watch out for "hardness of heart." It is destructive.
Mar 11 Scripture
The Gospel Acclamation, "Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
You have the words of everlasting life," best captures the theme for today. Both Deut 4:1,5-9 and Mt 5:17-19 should provoke us to live by Jesus' words and the message that his life inspires - love, mercy, peace.
Sunday Homily Podcast
Jesus' response to the Samaritan woman highlighted three things: "the gift of God," "Who is speaking with you," and "living water welling up to eternal life." This homily focuses on these three things.
itemissaest.podbean.com/e/march-8-20...
Sunday Homily - "If You Knew the Gift of God"
Jesus' response to the Samaritan woman highlighted three things: "the gift of God," "Who is speaking with you," and "living water welling up to eternal life." This homily focuses on these three things.
www.itemissaest.org/resources/su...
Mar 7 Scripture
The "Parable of the Prodigal Son" (Lk 15:1-32) teaches us that God makes allowances for human faltering. No one is perfect. We often learn by making mistakes. But, like a good parent, God allows our mistakes to become moments of grace. God is there to welcome us back with joy.
Interesting. Thanks Matt.
"Peace is not only born from political agreements or diplomatic or military strategies, but from men and women who find the courage to be small."
- Fr. Roberto Pasolini, Papal Household Preacher
Mar 6 Scripture
The malice of Joseph's brothers (Gen 37:3-28) and the malice of the tenants in today's parable (Mt 21:33-46) connects today's 1st and gospel readings. Malice creates make-believe narratives and brings out the worst in people. It even ignites wars. The antidote to malice is goodwill.
Mar 5 Scripture
Jesus taught profound truth in simple parables. Neither the parable nor its moral need racking of the brain. There was a poor man Lazarus and a rich man who did to care about the poor. Lazarus was comforted in eternity but the rich man suffered (Lk 16:19-31). Moral? Live caringly.
Mar 4 Scripture
"The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve...
and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mt 20:28). Jesus was counter-cultural then and his teachings remain so even now. But beyond this, he was also counter-ego. He counters the human instinct for self-aggrandizement.
Mar 3 Scripture
"The greatest among you must be your servant" (Mt 23:11). A whole new worldview proposed in these few words. If family, Church, political, social, and financial systems were based on this simple principle, every war would cease, every weapon be put down, and human life flourish.
March 2 Scripture
"O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you" (Dan 9:8). I am moved by Daniel's prayer. But in today's context I want to pray, "We are shamefaced FOR our kings and our princes, for they lead us to senseless wars."
Sunday Homily Podcast - "The Transfiguration: A Life-Transforming Revelation"
itemissaest.podbean.com/e/march-1-20...
Sunday Homily - "The Transfiguration: A Life-Transforming Revelation"
Let us allow the revelation of Jesus as the Christ become an alienable part of our lives. Let us become part of the story of Jesus. May we allow him to lead to our heavenly Jerusalem.
www.itemissaest.org/resources/su...
An unjust war!
Feb 28 Scripture
The Covenant was the basis of the relationship between God and the people. Key to its success was radical fidelity (Deut 26:17). In his incarnation Jesus represents this fidelity. As God he was faithful to the people, and as human he was faithful to God. He is our model of fidelity.
Feb 27 Scripture
We might take it for granted but the concept of "forgiveness" is such a critical one. Sin does not cut us off from God once and for all. Rather, God's forgiveness offer us healing and redemption (Ez 18:21). Thus, when we forgive and reconcile with others (Mt 5:23-24), we act godly.
Feb 26 Scripture
We know that Jesus summarized the entire law and the prophets under the commandments, "Love God" and "Love you neighbor." Today's gospel offers another instance. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets" (Mt 7:12). So, treat others well.
Feb 25 Scripture
The people of Nineveh were not Israelites, yet they readily responded to God's call to repentance (Jn 3:1-10). Jonah's resistance is in contrast. In Jesus' time too the Israelites continued their resistance. May this Lent find us to be like the Ninevites. "Have mercy on us, O Lord."
Feb 24 Scripture
Today's scripture offers many possibilities for reflection:
- God's creative word (Is 55:10-11)
- In praying do not babble (Mt 6:7)
- When you pray say, "Our Father" (Mt : 6:9)
- If you do not forgive, neither will the Father forgive you (Mt 6:14-15).
Pick any of these for today...
Homily Podcast - "Temptations: A Window into Christ's Life"
Jesus did not just overcome temptations; he overcame life. For us too, life is not merely about overcoming temptations. It is about taking our life and living it radically for God and neighbor. itemissaest.podbean.com/e/february-2...
Sunday Homily - "Temptations: A Window into Christ's Life"
Jesus did not just overcome temptations; he overcame life. For us too, life is not merely about overcoming temptations. It is about taking our life and living it radically for God and genuinely
www.itemissaest.org/resources/su...
Feb 21 Scripture
In calling Levi to follow him (Lk 5:27), Jesus invited someone other religious leaders would never think of calling. In this is our own hope - that Jesus goes after the one stray sheep, cares for those on the peripheries, welcomes the outcasts, and restores dignity to the poor.
Feb 20 Scripture
Many Catholics will give up meat this Friday.
Here is what the Lord rather have us do:
"Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own" (Is 58:7).
... and discover the goodness that God has put into each human heart. This would be one way of observing a holy Lent and a holy Ramadan. 3/3.
Demonization of other faith traditions is induced by ignorance, fear, and religious and nationalist propaganda. Rather, respecting the longing for God, for eternity, and salvation in each faith tradition, perhaps we can enter into conversations with each other... 2/3
The same day Christians began the holy season of Lent this year (Feb 18), the Muslims began Ramadan, the Islamic holy season of fasting. Many people canonize their own tradition and demonize the other. Christians and Muslims both have their own violent history. 1/3
Feb 19 Scripture
We are made free and there are free choices to be made. It's true that one choice leads to life and the other to destruction (Deut 30:19). It is still a choice. After all, "What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet forfeit himself?” (Lk 9:25). Choose wisely, then.
I was teaching our school kids at Ash Wednesday Mass where the ashes for Ash Wednesday comes from.
