Pray

“The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to those who produce fruit.” Mt. 21:33-43 Jesus tells a parable today: an owner entrusts his vineyard to some vinedressers and leaves. The vineyard does not belong to them, but they forget that it is a gift received. When the time comes to […]

“Son, remember that you received your goods while you were alive.” Lk. 16:19-31 Jesus does not present us with a wicked rich man or a perfect poor man. It presents us with something much more disturbing: an indifferent rich man and an ignored poor man. The sin of the rich man was not what he

“Whoever wants to be great among you, let him be your servant.” Mt. 20:17-28 Today Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, to complete his mission, while his disciples think of positions, honors and privileges. The request of the mother of Zebedee’s children reveals a very human temptation: to confuse mission with power. In the

“May the greatest among you be your servant.” Mt. 23:1-12 Today’s Gospel presents us with Jesus, speaking with clarity and courage, standing tall on the flatland, his words seek to awaken conscience, by denouncing a dangerous attitude: to say one thing and live another. Every time we teach virtues and values, give advice, or assist

“Give, and it will be given to you.” Lk. 6:36-38 Today’s Gospel places us on the flatland of life, in which we are given a clear call: “Be merciful”. This call to be merciful implies a firm decision to love, even when the other person fails. It is the way God looks at us: not

“Arise, do not be afraid.” Mt. 17:1-9 In today’s Gospel, “Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with him and leads them up a mountain.” In order to meet God, it is always necessary to go up, to get out of the routine, the noise and the immediate.  On the “mountain”, Jesus is transfigured. Faced with

I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. (Mt. 5:43-48) Jesus gives us more teachings that are hard. Love your enemies, pray for your persecutors. We are to imitate God who showers blessings on the just and the unjust. If we are truly to be children of our heavenly

Go first and be reconciled with your brother. (Mt. 5:20-26) Today’s gospel is part of the Sermon on the Mount.  In this section, Jesus continues to contrast what genuine virtue is, in comparison to external observance of the Law as the Pharisees believed.  In the earlier part of this chapter, Jesus addresses where true holiness

For everyone who asks, receives, and the one who seeks, finds. (Mt. 7:7-12) Jesus once again exhorts us to perseverance and conviction that the goodness of God will result in us receiving what we need. The challenge for us is that we often do not understand the silence we may encounter or the answer we

A clean heart create for me, O God. (Psalm 51) Psalm 51 is one of the most well-known psalms that has inspired numerous songs and served as the words of our prayers of repentance. Confronted by Nathan, King David had been caught in scandal. David, in response, turns to a merciful God, not offering sacrifices,