This week I have been considering a passage in Matthew’s gospel that follows the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus offers a series of four scenes which accent the importance of a real-world response to what has been heard in the Sermon – and then warns of the consequences of failing to respond. This post addresses the fourth of the scenes: Two House Builders – Hearing and Doing. Continue reading
In today’s gospel we have a simple story of an encounter between Jesus and a leper. The leper did him homage and said: “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus indeed desired to cure the leper and the man was made clean. Then Jesus said: “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” Continue reading
41 Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward.
In this verse, Jesus outlines the significance and benefits of receiving and supporting individuals who are considered prophets and righteous men. The term “prophet” refers to someone who receives divine revelations and communicates God’s messages to the people. In 5:11-12, Jesus has already connected the disciples in their suffering and persecution to “the prophets who were before you.” Continue reading
This week I have been considering a passage in Matthew’s gospel that follows the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus offers a series of four scenes which accent the importance of a real-world response to what has been heard in the Sermon – and then warns of the consequences of failing to respond. This post addresses the third of the scenes – the True Disciple. Continue reading
From Pope Francis’ 2020 homily on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul:
“It is pointless, even tedious, for Christians to waste their time complaining about the world, about society, about everything that is not right. Complaints change nothing. Let us remember that complaining is the second door that closes us off from the Holy Spirit, as I said on Pentecost Sunday. The first is narcissism, the second discouragement, the third pessimism. Narcissism makes you look at yourself constantly in a mirror; discouragement leads to complaining and pessimism to thinking everything is dark and bleak. These three attitudes close the door to the Holy Spirit. Those Christians did not cast blame; rather, they prayed.
We today can ask: “Are we protecting our unity, our unity in the Church, with prayer? Are we praying for one another?” What would happen if we prayed more and complained less, if we had a more tranquil tongue? The same thing that happened to Peter in prison: now as then, so many closed doors would be opened, so many chains that bind would be broken… (cf. Acts 12:10-17).
Let us ask for the grace to be able to pray for one another. Saint Paul urged Christians to pray for everyone, especially those who govern (cf. 1 Tim 2:1-3). “But this governor is…,” and there are many adjectives. I will not mention them, because this is neither the time nor the place to mention adjectives that we hear directed against those who govern. Let God judge them; let us pray for those who govern! Let us pray: for they need prayer. This is a task that the Lord has entrusted to us. Are we carrying it out? Or do we simply talk, abuse and do nothing? God expects that when we pray we will also be mindful of those who do not think as we do, those who have slammed the door in our face, those whom we find it hard to forgive. Only prayer unlocks chains, as it did for Peter; only prayer paves the way to unity.
Most of the apostles and lots of saints have their own feast day, but how about the two most famous saints of the early church? There is February 22nd in which the Church celebrates the “Chair of Peter” the sign that Peter was the first among the apostles and the one designated to lead the early Church after Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension. But there is no “Feast of St. Peter.”
St. Paul, although not one of the Twelve, was an Apostle commissioned by Jesus. There is the January 25th celebration of “The Conversion of St. Paul” which commemorates the Damascus Road episode described in Acts of the Apostles: 9:1-31, 22:1-22, and 26:9-24. It is the scene made famous by the “Conversion on the Way to Damascus” painting by Caravaggio. But there is no “Feast of St. Paul.” Continue reading
The dialog shifts from a focus on the disciples on a mission, to those they encounter on the way. No doubt they have already met people along the way who enthusiastically greeted Jesus, and were willing to offer support and shelter to the disciples. They are perhaps not committed to the more rigorous demands of discipleship, but there is a positive attitude to the disciples and their mission. Jesus is happy to recognize this less committed level of following him as good and true, and which deserves and will receive its reward. Continue reading
In yesterday’s post we noted that following the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a series of four scenes which accent the importance of a real-world response to what has been heard – and then warns of the consequences of failing to respond. Today’s gospel addresses the second of the scenes – bearing good fruit in our Christian life. Continue reading
Today is the feast day of St. Irenaeus of Lyon, a 2nd century bishop and theologians in France. He is noted for his role in guiding and expanding Christian communities in the southern regions of present-day France and, more widely, for the development of Christian theology by combating Gnostic interpretations of Scripture as heresy. Included with this post are two videos. The first is an overview of the life of St. Irenaus. The second is a more detailed video on Irenaeus presented by Bishop Barron. Enjoy. Continue reading
An article online from the Associated Press reported on a phenomena that is sad, concerning, and perhaps a harbinger of things to come in other places and times. The article was reporting on the repurposing of church structures in Belgium. In the town of Mechelen one church is being renovated into a cafe and concert facility. Nearby a former Franciscan church has already been renovated into a luxury hotel. Another has been turned into a climbing club where people use the already-existing hand- and footholds to climb among the stained-glass windows. Continue reading
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