"The just ones sacrifice is most pleasing nor will it ever be forgotten. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously according to your means." ~ Sirach 35:9,12 (full readings) . Matthew's Reflections: It’s easy to get discouraged by watching or reading the daily news. To me,...
"He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to...
"I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do." ~ Jn 17:4 (full readings) . Peggy's Reflections: Think of these words of Jesus when you are standing in front of your local abortion center in the pouring rain, freezing temperatures, or even a beautiful day...
"Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In...
"When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world." ~ Jn 16:21 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: In today's Gospel, Jesus...
"But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming." ~ Jn 16:13 (full readings) . Kathy's Reflections: May 13 is a special day for me and...
"Let this same attitude and purpose and humble mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: Let Him be your example in humility." ~ Phil 2:5 (full readings) . Rick's Reflections: St. Francis of Assisi stated, "It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching." As...
"Jesus said to his disciples: 'When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.'" ~ Jn...
"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." ~ Jn 15:12-13 (full readings) . Jeff's Reflections: Today's Gospel passage contains a simple, yet powerful message: Love one another. Sounds easy, right? Earlier today I...
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you…If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments...
"He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit." ~ Jn 15:2 (full readings) . Ed's Reflections: The non-productive parts of our life must be cut away so that the fruits of our good works may be brought...
"It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God." ~ Acts 14:22 (full readings) . Chris' Reflections: Paul and his companions tell the early Christians in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of...
"May you be blessed by the Lord, maker of heaven and earth." ~ Ps 115:15 (full readings) . Chris' Reflections: This past winter I led a bible study at church, the Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst. The basis behind the book is learning when you should say yes and when you...
"In My Father's house there are many dwelling places; otherwise, how could I have told you that I was going to prepare a place for you?" ~ Jn 14:2-3 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: In High School especially, but even in our adulthood, we are always looking for a way to fit...
"Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord." ~ Ps 89:1 (full readings) . Kevin's Reflections: Why don't I do this more? What is preventing me from always giving God thanks, rather than giving in to the temptation to think more about what is missing in my life? There is no...
"He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'" ~ Acts 9:4 (full readings) . Brandon's Reflections: Persecution is something that we face in our daily lives because there are always two sides to the story. We live in a city where...
"Be attentive to the Word, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." ~ 2 Pt 1:19 (full readings) . Mary Ellen's Reflections: Last year my husband and I moved to St. Louis after living over 30 years in Belleville,...
"Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise." ~ Ps 66:2 (full readings) . Amy's Reflections: Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, sing praise to the glory of His name; proclaim His glorious praise. Say to God, "How tremendous are Your deeds!" We are well...
"So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves...
"But Peter and the apostles said in reply, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" ~ Acts 5:29 (full readings) . Kevin's Reflections: Today is a very special day. On April 16th, 1879, Saint Bernadette passed away, and 48 short years later, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was born on April 16th, 1927....
"'What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?' They paid him thirty pieces of silver." ~ Acts 5:19 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: What did the apostles do when they were set free from prison by the angel of the Lord? When set free, they did the work...
"It was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in His name this man stands before you healed. There is no salvation through anyone else." ~ Acts 4:10-12 (full readings) . Pat's Reflections: As with the Apostles, the healing...
"Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures." ~ Lk 24:45 (full readings) . Jimmy's Reflections: We are 5 days into the Easter Season. Over the last 2 months perhaps you pulled out your Bible to read and meditate on the ministry of Jesus prior to His death. Perhaps you incorporated some scripture...
"Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping...
"Keep me safe O God; in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, you are my Lord, you are my only good. " ~ Ps 16:1-2A (full readings) . Paula's Reflections: Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. Life brings disappointments, sorrows, and loss. We are sad when a...
"Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end." ~ Jn 13:1 (full readings) . Pastor Steve's Reflections: "Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that His hour had...
"'What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?' They paid him thirty pieces of silver." ~ Mt 26:15 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: Today's Gospel talks about how Judas collaborated with the chief priests in a plot to betray Jesus. At the minimum, Judas was motivated by financial gain....
"I, the Lord, have called you for justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations." ~ Is 42:6 (full readings). Kevin's Reflections: God is speaking not only to Isaiah in this verse, this is also directed...
"If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." ~ Jn 10:37-38 (full readings) . Pastor Don's...
"Jesus said to them, 'Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.'" ~ Jn 8:58 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, but He does not keep the peace at the cost of telling the truth. Jesus cannot tell a lie. If He...
"The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth." ~ Luke 1:26 (full readings) . Jimmy's Reflections: Angels bring up many thoughts and memories in our lives. Perhaps you learned at a young age to pray to your guardian angel to keep you safe when you went to...
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack." ~ Ps 23:1 (full readings) . Paula's Reflections: The Lenten season. 40 days. A time of healing. A time of spiritual growth. Purification. Cleansing. Forgiveness. Jesus, the second person of the most Holy Trinity, offers His guiding hand. His light shines through...
"Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does,...
"Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a Sabbath." ~ Jn 5:16 (full readings) . Pastor Steve's Reflections: One day I was in front of my house when my young son came screaming across the yard with a hand on his forehead. He was crying, but...
"He and his whole household thereupon became believers. This was the second sign that Jesus performed." ~ Jn 4:53-54 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: Miracles do not create faith as much as faith creates miracles. Today's Gospel is the second of seven signs that Jesus performs that are highlighted in the Book...
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." ~ Mk 12:30 (full readings) . Shane's Reflections: We Christians refer to Jesus’ quotation of Deuteronomy 6:4-5 as the Great Commandment. The Jewish people refer to it...
"He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word!" ~ Ps 147:15 (full readings) . Jimmy's Reflections: Practice This Line: Praise The Lord! Does that pump you up? While verse 15 is what I chose, verse 1 sets the tone for this Psalm. Praise The Lord When I was in college, PTL was one of the...
"My heavenly Father will treat you in exactly the same way unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart." ~ Mt 18:35 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: Forgiveness is difficult. When we are injured (physically, emotionally, or spiritually), we feel the need to even the score. I am thankful...
"Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit." ~ Mt 21:43 (full readings) . Pat's Reflections: Heaven is a Team sport, and LIFE Runners are "a people that will produce its fruit."...
"If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if one should rise from the dead." ~ Lk 16:31 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: In the Gospel today, the rich man from the netherworld begs Abraham to send Lazarus from the dead to warn his...
"Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life?" ~ Jer 18:20 (full readings) . Kevin's Reflections: The First Reading today is from our son's namesake and special patron, the prophet Jeremiah. Someone once asked me why we chose Jeremiah as a name for our son,...
"The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." ~Mt 23:11-12 (full readings) . Alice's Reflections: In today’s gospel Jesus has some harsh words to say about the Pharisees and scribes, warning His disciples and the crowds not to...
"But Yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!" ~ Dan 9:9 (full readings) . Fr. Jonathan's Reflections: Is it possible to be absolutely convicted about the call to protect the unborn and yet to be compassionate towards those who uphold a right to aborting children? The Gospel today would...
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." ~ Mt 7:7 (full readings) . Lisa's Reflections: The prayer of Queen Esther is the focus of today's reading during this first week of Lent. Esther's story is one...
"'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" ~ Jer 29:11 (full readings) . Diane's Reflections: Sometimes I find it difficult to live in the hope that the evils in our...
"This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name...
"You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove him, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the...
"Thus says the Lord GOD: Cry out unsparingly, lift up your voice like a trumpet blast; Tell my people their wickedness and the house of Jacob their sins." ~ Isaiah 58:1 (full readings) . Matt's Reflections: The great prophet Isaiah of the Old Testament was at the right place at the...
"What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?" ~ Lk 9:25 (full readings) Father James Dean's Reflections: As the first reading (Deut 30:15-20) indicates, there are two (and only two) paths that we can follow. One leads to life and the other leads to...
