Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ first public words are, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” These were likewise the words of St. John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2), and now that John has been arrested for speaking inconvenient and uncomfortable truths to the powers-that-be, Jesus takes up the same [...]
“The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light.” This is how the Gospel of this Sunday describes the impact of Jesus’ ministry. That light shines on us as well whenever we gather in the Lord’s name. Light is a source of great joy. Coming from Africa, where in some places even in the twenty-first century there is [...]
Building Up the Kingdom You are God’s delight. Yes, you. Isaiah speaks of how God has called you, and how, as a groom rejoices in his bride, He rejoices in you. Then, in the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that we have been given spiritual gifts that help us serve the people of God. While our gifts differ from [...]
Nostalgic Moments Don't you enjoy the nostalgia of pleasant memories, such as the beginning of a beautiful friendship? How wonderful it is to relive the moment when Jesus called His first followers. I love to envision the sheer excitement and camaraderie that must have existed among those He called—an endless jubilee, God uniting with those He loves, ordinary human beings, [...]
Second Sunday in Ordinary TimeFlipped-out Pharisees The Gospel reading for this Sunday is not only the first miracle in John’s Gospel, it is also John’s first mention of Jesus’ mother. I used to find it odd that Jesus addressed her as “Woman.” I can’t imagine my Dad letting me get away with that. But in that time the word was [...]
With the words, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world,” Saint John the Baptist proclaims a profound truth about the mission of Jesus. Jesus’ mission is directed toward sinners. He is the Servant whose coming was foretold by the prophet Isaiah, the One sent to bring sinners back to God. Jesus comes to give [...]
With the Baptism of the Lord, the Christmas season comes to an end, for Jesus is no longer the child of Bethlehem but begins His public ministry. As we reflect on Baptism, we are reminded that whenever we enter a church, we bless ourselves with holy water as a reminder of our Baptism. Since the early days of the Church, [...]
Today we look at the central icon of Christmas: the crib of Bethlehem, with Mary and Joseph gathered around the Child Jesus. This is not an image of the Trinity, but of a family. When God came among us, He chose the most natural mode of human existence—a family. The family is the most important community to which we can [...]
As we approach Christmas, when we look at our streets and commercial centers, it often seems that the spiritual meaning of the season is getting lost. People are already celebrating Christmas, while the Church is still inviting us to light the fourth Advent candle. Does this mean that we are behind or out of step with the world? No. Rather, [...]
When you read the newspapers, sometimes you feel ashamed to be a human because of war, atrocity, dead, killing, tears and fears. The prophet Isaiah had a vision of how things could be. The vision is for peace and harmony among all people where the wolf and the lamb living together. Leopard lying down with kids, calf and lion browsing [...]