‘Reflection’ Archives
In Love, He Remains with Us!
We dread death. Even when I preside over a funeral Mass for a departed member of a family that is steeped in Christian and Catholic faith, family members express to me a sad truth that is hard to refute: “Things are never the same…for now, we will no longer be able to hear, see, and touch our dear one.” The sorrow of death, even for us who believe that our departed ones now live in God’s bliss, is that is a great physical divide. Today’s lessons from the Liturgy of the Word affirm [...]
When the Son of God Has Become the Vine
For the Israelites and for other Mediterranean peoples, the typical gifts of God through the earth are bread, wine, and olive oil. Bread builds people’s strength, wine gladden their hearts, and oil makes their faces gleam (Ps 104:15). These gifts subsequently become “signs” of God’s benevolence, of salvation that God offers for his people: “On this holy mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice vines…he will destroy death forever…will [...]
Self-emptying Leadership
The shepherd has been a favorite biblical image for leadership. I believe it is not only because pasturing sheep was a common occupation in the land of the Bible, but more because the nature of the sheep could bring out the best in the character of a shepherd who takes seriously his occupation. In general, the sheep is a non-aggressive animal. In the face of danger, especially from predators, its natural instinct (except perhaps the ram) is to flee rather than attempt to defend itself and [...]
The Healing Wounds of Jesus
In the gospel of this third Sunday of Easter, we read continuously the post-Resurrection appearances of Christ. We note the particular manner of Jesus’ appearances. To Mary Magdalene, to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, to Thomas, and now the disciples in the upper room. Jesus appears as he needs to be seen. Jesus’ mode of appearance is fitted in each instance to the particular anguish in the hearts and minds of those to whom he appears. Mary Magdalene is disconsolate at the [...]
God’s Mercy Is an Ocean
Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation is the well-known American Poor Clare nun who founded Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). In Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality, Raymond Arroyo tells how Mother Angelica was once at a beach in California, standing near the surf. A big wave came in and splashed over her shoes. A drop of water hit her hand and she looked at it. Then she looked out to the vast sea. She heard the Lord’s voice speaking within her, [...]
The Eyes of Faith
Every Christian evangelist, every priest knows how difficult it is to “preach the mystery of Eastern.” The non-believer, if he allows himself somehow to listen to you even with incredulous eye, wonders how you can still speak of the resurrection of Jesus in our “modern scientific age” with some semblance of sense and sanity. Many an ordinary believer in the pew recites the Creed’s statement: “On the third day he rose again from the dead,” and accepts it as “part of his faith,” [...]
Why the Waste?
“Why the waste?” What a clever way for Mark to begin the passion story. Such a precious alabaster jar of perfumed ointment could indeed have been sold and the money given to the poor (Mk 14:4). In the version of the fourth Gospel, the woman is Mary of Bethany, and the objector is Judas (Jn 12:1-8). The reaction is basically the same, one of indignation about the seeming extravagance of it all. There is a word in English, which expresses this apparent act of extravagance [...]
The Hour of Jesus
In celebrating the Passover Feast, the Jews usually sacrificed lambs to God at the Temple in Jerusalem. The offering is meant to recall the Exodus event and to thank God for having rescued the Hebrews from their slavery in Egypt. In today’s Gospel, many pilgrims have gathered in Jerusalem for the annual feast, including Jesus who will become the sacrificial lamb himself. Greeks or pagans have come to see Jesus. Most probably, they are converts to Judaism who heard of Jesus as a popular [...]
Pure Grace
We are living in a world where rewards are valued. Students vie for honors in school; athletes train hard for the gold medal. In the workplace, people excel in their performance to merit a promotion and salary increase. Success in life is seen as a result of one’s efforts. One is able to get something because one has worked for it. If we are not careful, we may also transfer this work ethic in our spiritual life—that we are able to attain holiness, attain salvation by means of our efforts. [...]
Jesus in His Passion Inaugurates a New Worship
The Temple of Jerusalem was central for the Jews. Divided into various sects—among them the Sadducees (priests), Pharisees (lawyers), Scribes (teachers of the Law), Zealots (Oppositionists to the Roman rule) – they all flocked to the Temple during the important days prescribed for religious pilgrimages. Among the times that devout Jews from all sects and from all corners of the world would gather in the Temple were: Passover (anniversary of the exodus from Egypt), Pentecost (commemoration [...]
Loading ...
