(Part Two) In Monday’s First Reading (Ephesians 2:1-10), Paul introduces the idea of Christ as the head of the body of the Church. Having Christ as its head gives unity to the Church, with its individual members playing different, yet equally important roles. Paul’s way of developing this idea unfolds through a review of the […]
Ephesians – “Be Angry,” He Begins, “But Do Not Sin” Read More »
(Part One) The mystery of Christ is so rich that no one image or model can exhaust the subject. Perhaps it is for this reason that St. Paul chose to emphasize different aspects of Christ in each of his writings. The letter to the Romans, for instance, shows him as creating the New Covenant by
St. Paul’s Letter To The Ephesians Read More »
It is said that when looking for a job, it is not what you know but who you know that counts the most. While working in China for the U.S. government many years ago, I heard people use the term guanxi, “connections,” connections with people in the right places. Today (Mark 10:35-45) we see two brothers
Guanxi – We Are ALL Called To Be Missionaries Read More »
Yesterday I began a 3-day series on what all Catholics, and other readers of these Daily Reflections, should consider in deciding how they will vote on the various candidates, propositions, and measures that appear on the ballot this voting season. Today, I continue that series with a summary of Part 1 of the U.S. Catholic
Making Moral Choices By Applying Catholic Principles (Continued) Read More »
Yesterday I began a 3-day series on what all Catholics, and other readers of these Daily Reflections, should consider in deciding how they will vote on the various candidates, propositions, and measures that appear on the ballot this voting season. Today, I continue that series with a summary of Part 1 of the U.S. Catholic
Making Moral Choices By Applying Catholic Principles Read More »
Approximately one month ago I ran a series of Daily Reflections on the upcoming elections. Since then, we have fully entered the “silly season,” when politicians feel emboldened to make statements that expose their own anti-religious bigotry, the sole remaining socially acceptable bigotry allowed in the United States. One state governor has gone so far
Silly Season – When Politicians Feel Emboldened To Make Statements Read More »
In our final reading from Galatians (Galatians 5:18-25), St. Paul gives a list of things the Galatians should avoid. He says they are the fruits of self-indulgence. When we hear some of them, like idolatry, sorcery, drunkenness, or orgies, we might feel relieved and exclaim: Oh Good! I don’t fit in there. This could lead
Those Poor Pharisees – Three Woes Are Issued Against The Pharisees Read More »
Today Paul continues to speak to the Galatians about freedom, a freedom they cannot find by submitting themselves again to the Mosaic Law (Galatians 5:1-6). “When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free.” If only those words were emblazoned in huge letters in all of our churches! Instead, we find there people that
Salvation Is A Gift – He Meant Us To Remain Free Read More »
Today’s first reading (Galatians 22‑24, 26‑27, 31‑5:1) is preceded with a verse not in our reading: “Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen to the law?” (Galatians 4:21) To inherit God’s promise, it is not enough to be a descendant of Abraham, as Ishmael, Abraham’s son by
The New Jerusalem – Truth, Goodness, Justice And Mutual Respect Read More »
The story begins in the village of Fatima, Portugal, on May 13, 1917. On that fateful day near that tiny village, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, appeared to three young peasant children: Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia; ages 10, 9 and 7. As was the custom, these youngsters were tending their family’s sheep when
Miracle Of The Sun – More Brilliant Than The Sun … Indescribably Beautiful Read More »