In getting their mother to ask Jesus on their behalf for ‘top jobs’ in his kingdom, James and John get it wrong in all sorts of ways: immaturely getting their mother to ask for them, getting wrong the nature of Christ's kingdom and what greatness is in his kingdom, seeing success in merely human terms, and more. The whole episode reveals a catalogue of errors. We also need to recognise the many ways we get it wrong. This self-knowledge is necessary for our spiritual growth.
Jul 24, 2023•11 min
In spite of his many miracles, the Pharisees and Scribes ask Jesus for a definitive sign to make his claims more evident. Sometimes we too disregard the favors of God in our life and in our disbelief ask or wish for some more definitive sign of God's reality. Jesus responds to the Scribes and Pharisees, and to us, by pointing towards the Resurrection, the greatest of his miracles.
Jul 23, 2023•10 min
As gardeners in the vineyard of the Lord, we may find ourselves exasperated by the ongoing presence of weeds. How do we foster hopeful patience, and avoid toxic pessimism when looking at the landscape of the Church and the world?
Jul 22, 2023•10 min
Mary Magdalene is an example of a lay woman who is redeemed from contact with evil, more faithful to Jesus than some of the apostles in the importnant moments of his death and resurrection, and sent to even preach the Gospel to the hierarchy. She can be a great model for many lay faithful who find themselves more visibly active than some of their priests and a role mode for how to preach the gospel to priests and even bishops.
Jul 21, 2023•11 min
Jesus said "If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men." If we get to know Jesus, we will see His call to be personal with others, especially those we want to bring along. Sacrifice is needed, and is great indeed. What Jesus desires is that the heart is engaged in this giving, that we get personal about it.
Jul 20, 2023•11 min
Jesus promises us rest for our souls when we shoulder his yoke but picking it up in the first place can be bloody hard.
Jul 19, 2023•10 min
19-07-23 Jesus Trinitarian Childlike Prayer (JB) God is our Father, we need to pray.
Jul 17, 2023•10 min
Ex 2:1-15a - God clearly took care of Moses and protected him from death as an infant and many, many dangers as an adult. God also gave Moses a very difficult mission and a heavy Cross to bear. Even though times may be difficult or be tempted to despair, let us remember and relive those moments in which God's presence and love and paternal care were especially clear to us.
Jul 17, 2023•10 min
Living in Barbieland - Gods seeds - Be deep soil - Interiority
Jul 17, 2023•10 min
This about the passage in Matthew 10:34–11:1 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. I explain the idea of struggle against being passive, not struggling, or ending up being a couch potato.
Jul 16, 2023•11 min
Jesus and Joseph, who both were in a position to exercise strict justice and exact retribution for the injustices they had suffered. However, they show great love and mercy instead. The good that ultimately comes from what they suffered makes their suffering worth it. So, let us see this as an invitation to understand that we should be more sorry for our sins and that we should rejoice more in the truth of God's infinite and unfathomable love and mercy for us.
Jul 14, 2023•10 min
“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.”
Jul 13, 2023•9 min
God had a plan with the patriarch Joseph and left him to be sold so that he could save his people from the famine. As Joseph himself says in the book of Genesis (45:8): «It was not you who sent me here, but God». God has always better plans. Let's learn the lesson: The best that can happen to you is that the Will of God is done.
Jul 12, 2023•10 min
To come to Jesus means to go out to people. The key to apostolate is a deep friendship with Jesus.
Jul 11, 2023•10 min
The feast of St Benedict gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we may have left behind to follow Jesus, or perhaps what he is calling us to leave behind now. Whatever it is - Jesus is worth it!
Jul 10, 2023•11 min
The two characters in the Gospel teach us that we need to have faith and hope in Jesus, no matter what
Jul 09, 2023•10 min
There is a knowledge of God which only children have, a knowledge of the Father which only Jesus has, and a peace which only comes from knowing ourselves and living as children of God. Jesus outlines the principal aspects of what we call ‘spiritual children’, which is relating to God as children relate to their parents. Only a childlike attitude of humble trust and simplicity will lead us to God and heaven.
Jul 08, 2023•11 min
At the end of Isaac's life, his son Jacob craftily steals Esau's identity in order to receive his Father's special blessing. Something similar happens to Christians, but resorting to identity theft is no longer necessary.
Jul 07, 2023•10 min
Matthew is called out of a “spell” of worldliness and self-absorption that shackles him, and embarks on a new adventure that will demand a full gift of himself. Are you ready to do the same??
Jul 06, 2023•11 min
** Put yourself in the presence of God. Try talking to Him. ** 10 minutes are 10 minutes. Even if you can get distracted, reach the end. ** Be constant. The Holy Spirit acts "on low heat" and requires perseverance. 10-Minute audio to help you pray. Daily sparks to ignite prayer: a passage from the gospel, an idea, an anecdote and a priest who speaks with you and with the Lord inviting you to share your intimacy with God. Find your moment, consider you are in His presence and click play.
Jul 05, 2023•11 min
Jesus casts out the demons from the possessed. He allows them to enter the swine. All these pigs rush into the sea of Galilee and drown themselves. Why? Perhaps they prefer death to demonic possession. A possible route toward that is curiosity about divination, the seeking of knowledge by communication with spirits, who turn out to be demons. We ask rather for a quelling of curiosity and the beautiful indwelling of the Trinity, which is no less than the divinization of the child of God.
Jul 04, 2023•11 min
The calming of the storm Invited us to put our trust in Jesus as we all face situations that seem out of our control
Jul 03, 2023•9 min
Jn 20:24–29. Thomas doubted that Jesus rose from the dead, but then was startled, terrified, and mortified to actually see Jesus alive. Then he was blown away by an immense gift of faith.
Jul 02, 2023•9 min
Mt 10:37-40 - Following Jesus and taking up his cross involves accepting life as it comes and striving to carry the cross in the acceptance of our regular, daily circumstances. Cardinal Van Thuan from Vietnam is a great example for us.
Jul 01, 2023•11 min
The account of Jesus and the Centurion who asks for his servant to be healed. His words have now entered the liturgy. This is about the centurion's trust in God's word.
Jun 30, 2023•10 min
Mt 8:1-4 - Who among the disciples of Jesus still wants to stay close to Jesus who just touched a leper to heal him? Closeness to Jesus this way means closeness to the afflicted and vice versa.
Jun 29, 2023•9 min
Jesus asks the apostles 'Who do you say I am?" - and the answer we give that question is central to our whole lives. Can we say that Jesus is at the very centre of my life?
Jun 28, 2023•10 min
On the feast of St Irenaeus we are given the chance to heed Jesus' warning to beware of those who try to ensnare us with false teachings. Christ gave us the Church to be our sure foundation with Himself as the cornerstone. Our encouragement today is to seek to understand the teachings of the Church so that we may know and love Jesus more.
Jun 27, 2023•10 min
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”
Jun 26, 2023•11 min
On the feast of St Josemaría, Jesus preaches from the boat of St Peter. That boat was his life and living. From there Jesus can reach out further. He can preach from your life and living, from your work and daily activities. Our ordinary life, like the boat of St Peter, is the Pulpit of God.
Jun 25, 2023•10 min
