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.

As the Gospel tells us, Herod, “kept trying to see him.” Meaning, he was still interested in what John the Baptist had to say.

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

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

Faith can seem risky; difficult; even life-changing. Just consider the ramifications faith would’ve had in Herod’s life. For starters, he would have to stop living with his brother’s wife!

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Sometimes people need a John the Baptist; they need the support of a Christian witness before they can come to believe.

Someone who will listen to their questions, to provide some answers, and above all, to lead them by example.

While the story didn’t end well for Herod, it may for others.

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So, in what ways might we lead others to faith?

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But, remember the old saying, “Preach always. Only when necessary, use words.”

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Image credits: (1) Adobe Stock (2) The Catholic Weekly (3) Jack Hayford Ministries

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Gospel:

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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During my six years of priestly ministry, I’ve experienced first-hand the power given by Christ to the Apostles in today’s Gospel. 

I’ve witnessed an evil spirit exit a man after going to confession; I’ve seen a young boy’s eyesight restored after nearly going blind; I’ve seen tumors turn benign; brain damage erased; and cancer disappear.

There is no question in my mind whether or not Christ still heals people today. Without question, he does. But why Jesus heals a person is as mysterious as why he doesn’t.

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I often remind people, when Christ heals us, we cannot lose sight of the bigger picture: God restores our physical bodies to offer us a glimpse of what’s to come.

If God can restore us physically, then allow yourself to imagine what he will do to us spiritually in the resurrection of the dead.

That’s the moment we have to stay focused on: the moment when the universe itself is restored to its original goodness – and we along with it.

This is the same message the Apostles had to share with those whom they healed. Greater things than this are coming.

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In the words of Bruce Springsteen: “Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on.”

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Image credits: (1) Watch Miracles, Amazon.com (2) Groundwork Bible Study (3) FinTech Futures

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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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This probably wasn’t the first time Matthew heard of Jesus, who was already a type of celebrity.

But today Jesus invites Matthew into his inner circle – and Matthew jumps at the chance!

But Matthew had no idea what his future held. He had no idea of the risk; the personal transformation he’d experience; or the personal responsibility that would later be placed on his shoulders.

If he did, then he might’ve shrieked in fear or knelt in humility.

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I’m sure looking back over our own lives, there are times when we would’ve shrieked in fear if we knew what was ahead – a malignant diagnosis, an unexpected death, a sudden turn of events.

Similarly, there might’ve been days when we would’ve leapt for joy.

If I had known, for example, that I’d be destined for St. Pius X, then I would’ve walked every day of my past with pep in my step.

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Saint Matthew reminds us that, regardless of what lies ahead, God has a plan for our lives.

We only need to accept it one day at a time.

Hopefully, with a little pep in our step.

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Image credits: (1) Forbes (2) The Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio (3) Everypixel