Category: Uncategorized

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Gospel: Luke 12. 54-59

Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Technology is amazing. You can Google almost any question and find out the answer immediately.

For example, “Can dogs eat bananas?” … “Why do cats purr?” …  “How many gallons of water are in the Atlantic Ocean?”

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But there are other questions – deeper questions – that Google cannot answer. They’re questions, which even the people in Jesus’ time should’ve pondered.

“What’s the meaning of life?” … “Why am I here?” … “Who’s Jesus? Is he who he says he is?”

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God gives each of us a mind to think, a heart to feel, and a conscience to discern his will. But some within the crowds were shallow; they ignored life’s bigger questions, and so missed the meaning of it all.

Although they could interpret simple things like weather patterns, they didn’t make the effort to go any deeper.

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I’m sure our minds will be filled with dozens – if not hundreds – of questions today, like, 
“Where are my keys?” … Or even, “Why do cats purr?” 

But take the time to contemplate the bigger questions, too, like, “Why does faith matter to me?”

Maybe even take it a step further. Strike up a conversation with a friend. Listen. Be open. See if you agree!

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Image credits: (1) biblicalleadership.com (2) Babbel.com (3) freepik.com

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Gospel: Lk. 12. 49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father, 
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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“I have come to set the earth on fire and how I wish it were already blazing!”

What is this “fire” that Jesus is referring to? 

The “fire” of God’s divine, red-hot love.

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If you are in a good place spiritually, then that love feels like a “fire” in the best sense of the word – God’s love warms you and illumines your path.

As the Psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp for my path and a light – a ‘fire’ – for my steps.” 

God’s love can also fill your heart with fiery passion. As the prophet Jeremiah says, “Your WORD is like a fire in my bones; woe to me if I do not preach it!” 

We see this divine fire at work in the lives of the Saints, who put God first in their lives.

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But, if you’re not in a good place spiritually, then that same divine “fire” can feel painful as it purifies.

For example, the first day of sobriety can feel like fire to an addict. But it’s a good thing; the Lord is burning away an addiction.

Telling the truth can feel like fire to someone caught in a lie. The Lord is burning away dishonesty.

Forgiving a deep-seeded wound can feel like fire to someone who’s been nursing a grudge. But the Lord is burning the anger out of a person’s heart.

An act of humility can feel like fire to our ego.

Honesty, self-control, forgiveness, and humility … these are all good things! They’re necessary for spiritual growth and healthy relationships. They’re the fruit of God’s Spirit working in our lives!

In order for these virtues to grow, God must melt away our pride. That’s hard. It burns. It’s fire.

Are there parts of me that need the Lord’s purifying touch?

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“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing,”the Lord says. May the spark of God’s divine love be ignited within us today.

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Image credits: (1) Group Bible Study, Google Images, Set the Earth on Fire (2) Bishop Robert Barron, Twitter, Sprout Social (3) Catholic Exchange, Set the World on Fire

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Gospel: Luke 12: 39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: 
“Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, he will put him
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly. 
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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“Students, please take out two sheets of paper and a sharpened pencil. Begin answering the questions on the board. You’ll have thirty minutes to complete your work.”

“Yes, this is a pop quiz.”

In high school, those five alarming words – this is a pop quiz– made my stomach drop. 

As an achiever who tried earning good grades, if I was caught off guard or unprepared, then I shrieked inside. 

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In the Gospel, Jesus tells us to, “Be like servants who await their master’s return.” 

Like a high school teacher announcing a pop quiz, we simply don’t know when he’s coming back. It’s best to be ready.

But is the Lord’s return something we should fear? Or is it something we should welcome? 

I suppose a large part of our answer depends upon our image of God. So, who is God to me?

Is God like a distant father figure? A stickler for rules who holds me accountable for every little misstep?

Or is God my shepherd, my intimate friend, who loves me and illumines my path?

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God is a gentle shepherd, our companion through life. As Jesus says after washing his disciples feet, “I no longer call you servants, but friends.”

If God is our friend, then awaiting his return is not something to fear; rather, we should welcome him – and invite him into our hearts every day.

Because God comes not to harm, but to save us.

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Image credits: (1) Keep Calm-o-Matic (2) Geek Alerts (3) J. Kirk Richards