Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4; Psalm 95:1-2,6-9; 2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14; Luke 17:5-10) Living in the Power of God and Not the Power of Fear Stir into flame the gift of God. (2 Timothy 1:6) Did you know that fear is a gift from God? It helps us protect ourselves […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Amos 6:1,4-7; Psalm 146:7-10; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31) What it Means to be Christ to Others Lazarus … would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the … table. (Luke 16:20, 21) There are two issues at the heart of today’s Gospel […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113:1-2,4-8; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13) Being Wise Stewards of God’s Gifts and Graces The master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. (Luke 16:8) That’s right. The “hero” in this parable is a dishonest man who cheated his way out of a tough […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Exodus 32:7-11,13-14; Psalm 51:3-4,12-13,17,19; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32) Experiencing More Deeply Our Heavenly Father’s Mercy, Love, and Grace Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love. (Psalm 51:3) One of the very first things we do at every Mass is celebrate the Penitential Rite. We […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Wisdom 9:13-18; Psalm 90:3-6,12-17; Philemon 9-10,12-17; Luke 14:25-33) What it Means to Be a Disciple of Jesus Christ Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27) In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus makes three very demanding statements. He says […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117:1-2; Hebrews 12:5-7,11-13; Luke 13:22-30) The Importance of Seeking First the Kingdom of God Lord, will only a few people be saved?” (Luke 13:23) These are perhaps the scariest words in Scripture. Embedded within this fellow’s question is the fear that many will not […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Jeremiah 38:4-6,8-10; Psalm 40:2-4,18; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53) Running and Finishing Well the Race of Life Persevere in running the race.” (Hebrews 12:1) Usain Bolt is a Jamaican sprinter who holds the record as the fastest person ever. Nicknamed the “Lightning Bolt,” he has won many Olympic […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Wisdom 18:6-9; Psalm 33:1,12,18-22; Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19; Luke 12:32-48) Allowing the Gift of Faith to Impact Our Lives More Deeply Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) In a practical way, we live by faith all the time. […]
The Holy Trinity Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Proverbs 8:22-31; Psalm 8:4-9; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-1) Sharing in the life of the Trinity and Sharing our Lives with One Another In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Every time we make the Sign of […]
Pentecost Sunday Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13; John 20:19-23) Experiencing More Deeply the Power of the Holy Spirit They were all astounded and bewildered.” (Acts 2:12) If there’s one truth we should take as our anchor on this great feast day, it’s this: Pentecost is […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 15:1-2,22-29; Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8; Revelation 21:10-14,22-23; John 14:23-29) Being Drawn into the Life of the Trinity Peace I leave with you. (John 14:27) Rarely is a passage from Scripture as Trinitarian as these few verses. This passage comes from Jesus’ farewell address at the Last Supper: the […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 14:21-27; Psalm 145:8-13; Revelation 21:1-5; John 13:31-35) Loving Others as Jesus Has Loved Us I give you a new commandment… . As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. (John 13:34) They say couples who have been married a long time start […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 13:14,43-52; Psalm 100:1-3,5; Revelation 7:9,14-17; John 10:27-30) Heaven, Our Inheritance as Beloved Children of God They were … wearing white robes. (Revelation 7:9) Jesus, I can’t wait to get to heaven and put on my white robe. It’s going to be so exciting, experiencing the greatest […]
Divine Mercy Sunday Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 10:34,37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Psalm 118:1-2,16-17,22-23; John 20:1-9) Divine Mercy, Jesus’ Gift to Each One of Us My Lord and my God! (John 20:28) When a child is conceived in the mother’s womb, one cell is knitted to another. The parents’ genes combine in […]
Easter Sunday Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Acts 10:34,37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; Psalm 118:1-2,16-17,22-23; John 20:1-9) Jesus is Alive, We Are New Creations in Him He saw and believed. (John 20:8) Alleluia! Christ is risen! Father, we exult in your glory! We rejoice, turning our thoughts to the One who lives, who is […]
Palm Sunday Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9,17-20,23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14–23:56) Allowing the Power of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus to Transform Us It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you. (Luke 22:28-29) Today […]
Fifth Sunday of Lent Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126:1-6; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11) Receiving God’s Mercy and Forgiveness Neither do I condemn you. (John 8:11) Every day, we face condemnation, whether it be from an enemy, from a friend, from the devil, or from our own guilty consciences. […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 34:2-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3,11-32) Answering the Call to be Ambassadors for Christ We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. (2 Corinthians 5:20) During a high school trip around the world, William Borden, the heir of the Borden […]
Third Sunday of Lent Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Exodus 3:1-8,13-15; Psalm 103:1-4,6-8,11: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12; Luke 13:1-9) Receiving Jesus’ Compassion and Giving it to Others I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it. (Luke 13:8) The parable of the fig tree tells us that God is constantly at work […]
Second Sunday of Lent Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Genesis 15:5-12,17-18; Psalm 27:1,7-9,13-14; Philippians 3:17–4:1; Luke 9:28-36) Knowing Who We are in Christ “My joy and crown … stand firm in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1). Not only was St. Paul passionate about his faith, he was also highly educated. He was well […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Psalm 91:1-2,10-15; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13) Remembering What the Lord Has Done for Us The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and outstretched arm. (Deuteronomy 26:8) When we read the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, we may put brackets […]
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C Peter. Paul. Isaiah. Frodo Baggins. They have more in common than meets the eye. Of course, there are differences, too. Peter is a small business man, wringing a living for his family out of a lake in Hicksville. No one expected much from Galilee. Its inhabitants had a […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138:1-5,7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11) Answering the Call to Share Our Faith with Others “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:10) Think about what would have been left out of this story if Jesus had never […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Jeremiah 1:4-5,17-19; Psalm 71:1-6, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 12:31–3,13:13; Luke 4:21-30) Receiving God’s Love and Giving it to Others “Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:8) Addressing the fractious Corinthian church, Paul urged the believers to “strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31). He even told […]
