Reflections

The man who comes up to Jesus in today’s Gospel (Mark 10:17‑30) is a very good person, to be sure, but he has serious deficiencies where the Gospel is concerned. He is focused on what he must do, rather than on his relationship with other people.  He thinks it is enough for him to be […]

In our first reading today (Galatians 3:22-29), we hear the conclusion of this week’s series of exhortations of St. Paul to the Church in Galatia.  The Galatians were being racked with divisions and confusion because their leaders were teaching different things, and growing disagreements were developing amongst them.  St. Paul reminds them that their faith

Paul continues today (Galatians 3:7-14) explaining the concept of justification by faith. The Jews believed that Abraham was their father in faith, that they were direct descendants of Abraham.  Note that Matthew, writing for Jews, traces the genealogy of Jesus back to Abraham. Paul extends this belief to include everyone whose life is based on

In today’s first reading (Galatians 3:1-5), like a loving parent speaking to forgetful children, St. Paul chastises the Galatians because they have forgotten how they have received the gift of salvation.  He reminds them that they are saved, not because they have kept the law, but because Jesus has died for their sins.  Faith is

The first reading for today (Acts 9:31-42) is about the baby church learning how to walk and is about its growing. Their focus is on Jesus and the growth comes from the Holy Spirit. The “baby” Christians are called “holy ones” and “disciples” or learners. We hear about Jesus working through Peter to heal two