Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – Mk 7:31-37 It’s a fact that we tend to remember things better when they stand out or are quite different from the norm. It’s really no wonder, then, that the miracle recounted in today’s Gospel should stick out in Mark’s memory. Jesus does three things […]
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Ordinary Time – Mk 7:24-30 Today’s Gospel recounts the healing of the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter, or, better said, the encounter between the woman and Christ, since the healing is mentioned only at the very end. There are three things that call our attention about the dialogue: first, the woman’s
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Ordinary Time – Mk 7:14-23 Today’s Gospel makes us think about what we eat. Way back in the beginning, in the book of Genesis, there was only one dietary restriction for man; there was only one food that could defile him, and it was the fruit of the “tree
The Holy Mass is a miracle of prolongation. Christ’s priesthood and His sacrifice are prolonged in a sacramental manner in the Mass. A. The Perpetuation of Christ’s Priesthood Christ’s priesthood is continued not only in the Mass, but also in every liturgy, which is “an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ.”[1] Thus, when
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Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – Mk 7:1-13 In today’s Gospel, Jesus comes openly into conflict with the scribes and Pharisees. This band had come up to Gennesaret from Jerusalem, over 100 miles away, and it seems their sole purpose was to spy on and complain about Jesus. When they question Jesus
Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time – First option – Mk 6:53-56 “They begged Jesus that they might touch only the tassel on His cloak” (Mk 6:56). If we meditate on the request of the citizens of Gennesaret, there are two truths that emerge. First, notice that, out of all the things the
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A – Is 58:7-10; Ps 112:4-9; 1 Cor 2:1-5; Mt 5:13-16 Today’s readings speak to us of two very important symbols to understand our role in the present world: they speak to us of salt and light. So today we can think about these two symbols and think
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus revealing His Mercy as He calls the Apostles and tells them to “come away by themselves.” We can reflect on how this is borne out in our lives: how do we “go off with Jesus”? Jesus calls the apostles to Himself
Friday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time – Mk 6:14-29 Today’s Gospel recounts for us the death of John the Baptist. Mark’s Gospel gives us some profound insights into Herod’s character, insights that can help us to grow in our spiritual lives. The context for the event is interesting: the people are talking about
Feast of the Presentation – February 2nd Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus, and also the World Day for Consecrated Life, because, just as Jesus was offered in the Temple, so consecrated persons also offer themselves entirely to God. For today’s feast, let’s first consider what is being celebrated,
