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, …
As part of the opening of its 60th anniversary commemoration, the Santa Juana de Lestonnac Educational Institution, located in Medellín, held a Thanksgiving Eucharist last Friday, February 6, as a sign of gratitude for its educational and evangelizing journey. Founded in 1966 in the El Pedregal neighborhood, the institution was born in response to the …
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Mt. 6:7-15) In today’s gospel, Jesus gives us the Our Father. Because we typically recite that prayer daily, it is easy to let the words pass from one ear and out the other, yet the words are profound. The words begin by directing us to …
Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. (Mt. 25:31-46) In English, being “the GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) is quite the compliment, but in Jesus’ parable, the goats at the Last Judgment “will go away into eternal punishment.” Interestingly, the reasons given are not about fulfilling examples …
The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve. (Mt. 4:1-11) Today’s gospel follows Jesus’ baptism and declaration by the Father that Jesus is his ‘Beloved Son.’ Following this, the Spirit leads Jesus into the desert for 40 days. After that time, he is hungry, weakened, vulnerable and this is when …
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners. (Lk. 5:27-32) In Luke’s gospel, Jesus demonstrates the importance of the dignity of each person, no matter their past or present. Jesus chooses to eat with tax collectors; a group despised as collaborators with Rome and extorting more than was due. We know …
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer…Here I am! (Is. 58:1-9a) Today the prophet Isaiah speaks some hard words. He points to where true faith is to be found. Our outward observances mean nothing unless our inward spirit matches. We may be praying that the Lord will heal some calamity in our country …
If anyone wishes to come after me…he must take up his cross daily and follow me. (Lk. 9:22-25) Today’s gospel reading is one of many during this Lenten season where Jesus addresses what he will have to go through as well as the invitation to follow him along this same journey. This can certainly be …
