Author: admin

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Gospel: Luke 9: 7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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The story does not end well for King Herod.

He’s already made a series of horrible choices, including the beheading of John the Baptist, a decision he made while he was drunk.

But we’ve captured Herod at an interesting point in his journey; he’s “perplexed” – haunted – by John. He loved listening to him.

Even after John’s death, the Gospel tells us, “Herod kept trying to see him.” Meaning, he was still intrigued by John’s message of repentance and the coming of the Lord.

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That, to me, represents where so many in our world are at.

Thankfully, few in our world are as deranged as Herod. But many are “perplexed” by the Gospel message; they’re interested, but undecided. 

Faith can seem risky; difficult; life-changing… It is!

Just consider the ramifications that faith would’ve brought into Herod’s life. For starters, he would’ve had to stop living with his brother’s wife and repent for the murder of an innocent man, John the Baptist!

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How has my own life changed as a result of accepting the faith? And how do we encourage others in their own faith journeys?

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May we be emboldened by the life and ministry of John the Baptist, who was never afraid to live the truth and to share it, even at great personal cost.

Your witness just may change a life for the better.

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Image credits: (1) (2) Ideapod (3) SeekGrowlLove.com

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Gospel: Matthew 9: 9-13

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He heard this and said,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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He said to him, “Follow me.”

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Saint Matthew had some idea of who Jesus was the day he called him. By then, talk was circulating around town about Jesus, the miracle worker.

It seemed understandable that when Jesus invited Matthew to follow him, he’d jump at the chance. He must’ve felt special; chosen.

But Matthew had no idea what answering that call with mean: that he’d help change the world; that his heart would be transformed; that he’d see Jesus raised from the dead; or that he’d bring the Gospel to Ethiopia, where he’d eventually be martyred.

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All he knew that day was this: Jesus of Nazareth was there, calling him by name. 

It’s all Matthew needed to know. Perhaps all he could handle.

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I’m sure looking back over our lives, there were times when we would’ve leapt for joy if we knew our future, and others when we would’ve shrieked in fear.

The same may be true if we knew what was in store for us tomorrow or the day after.

But our focus should always be on those words we often pray: “Give us this day our daily bread.” God only gives us what we can handle, one day at a time.

Maybe begin this day with one hope: that, whatever is in store, God may be glorified.

Saint Matthew, pray for us.

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Image credits: (1) In the Beginning, WordPress (2) The Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio (3) didyouknowfacts.com

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Gospel: Luke 8: 19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers 
are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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The history of Catholicism in Korea is fascinating, almost miraculous.

When the first priest arrived on Korean shores in the 18^th century, there were already an estimated 4,000 Catholic converts present.

“But how is that possible?” You may wonder. “How did Christianity arrive Korea without a Catholic missionary?”

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During the 17^th century, Korean scholars imported literature from China, including Christian literature. Although they were intrigued, ultimately these scholars denounced Christianity because of its belief in human equality.

Korean society was built upon Confucianism, which is a caste-based system; the wealthy and the scholarly are on the top and the poor are progressively on the bottom.

When a Chinese priest managed to secretly enter Korea years later, he found a community of 4,000 Catholics who had never met a priest. They were being taught by a few of those scholars who first encountered Christianity in a book.

Slowly, missionaries were sent, where they ministered to the Korean Catholic community under the cover of darkness.

Finally, the first Korean Catholic priest, Andrew Kim Taegon, was ordained in the 1840’s, but he was put to death by the sword at the tender age of 26.

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More than 10,000 Koreans died as martyrs over the span of 100 years.

But today there are an estimated 6 million Catholics in Korea, a sign that nothing – not even death – can stop the spread of the Gospel.

May the Korean Martyrs pray for us.

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Image credits: (1) Knights of Columbus (2) Vatican News, Vatican.va (3) Wall Street Journal