Weekly Reflection

The celebration has been held on different dates, usually in January, because January 1, eighth days after Christmas, commemorates the circumcision of the Child Jesus, at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was concived in the womb. The famous preacher […]

Today, the Sunday before Christmas, the Church acts as “heir hunter” for us, to teach us who we are and where we come from. This teaching involves a lesson about Jesus Himself, about who He is. St. Matthew has begun his Gospel story with a genealogy, a family tree, to show us the bloodline of

Today is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin for “Rejoice”. It may seem strange, then, that in the Gospel reading we hear that John the Baptist is stuck in prison, awaiting execution. John sends a message to Jesus to try to glean some shred of hope: “Are you the one who is to

Jesus Christ became the servant of the Jewish people to keep God’s promises, and became a servant of all peoples because of God’s mercy. The way that John chooses for people to show their repentance is baptism. Just as John is not the Christ, so his baptism is not the true baptism that forgives sins.

Today’s Gospel tells us to be prepared, because one day, perhaps when we least expect it, we are going to meet the Son of Man – maybe at His second coming, or maybe at our own death. We will be called to give an account of ourselves – to have a lifetime of faithful, loving

Our Lord is a king like no other: on Calvary He’s reduced to powerlessness, with a wodden cross as His throne, a circle of thorns as His crown, a jeering mob as His courtiers. St. Paul reflecting on this scene, sees the glorious truth that lies beyond, the truth that the “good thief” had glimpsed.

As we grow close to the end of the Church’s liturgical year, the Gospel points us towards a future time. The words we hear today from St. Luke are situated just before the beginning of his account of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. They recall for us Jesus’ teaching about two significant events.

In conversation with the Saducees, who believe in God, but not in a life after death, Jesus points out that God is God of the living. It makes no sense to be God of the dead. Jesus also points out to His hearers that life beyond the grave is different from life in this world.

In today’s second reading, St. Paul prays that God will “fulfill all your desires for goodness.” Zacchaus’ desires for goodness were fulfilled as he responded to them. He did not let his good feelings run to waste. He turned his emotions into actions and his thoughts into deeds. He acted on his desire to see

Society recognized the Pharisee as a good man and a local celebrity. In a time of great injustice, he was just, and tried hard to live according to the commandments. In fact, he was almost perfect. All that was wrong with him was that he thought himself a cut above others and he was very