Post Tagged with: "Saint Paul"

On Being Possessed by Christ Jesus
in Lectionary Cycle C, Reflections on Mass Readings

On Being Possessed by Christ Jesus

Perhaps one of the most powerful sayings of Jesus in all of sacred Scripture was His last words to this woman – “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” The call of today’s Sacrifice of the Mass is to believe that we can and ought to “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

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The Solemnity of Christ the King
in Lectionary Cycle B, Reflections on Mass Readings

The Solemnity of Christ the King

The truth (the person) is right there in his face and talking to him, but he cannot even see Him. Perhaps if Pilate were actually searching for the truth, rather than just musing about it, he might have seen Jesus for who He is, but, as a typical politician, Pilate’s first interests are in himself and in self-preservation.

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We are Called to Love and Truth, Not Civility!
in Lectionary Cycle B, Reflections on Mass Readings

We are Called to Love and Truth, Not Civility!

Love is a completely different animal than civility. We never hear in the Scriptures that God is civil. Civility is formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech. Civility is tolerance to all types of things, even immorality and sin. Civility consists of making polite remarks in formal conversation.

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According to Jesus is Homosexual Marriage a Lesser form of Love?
in Lectionary Cycle B, Reflections on Mass Readings

According to Jesus is Homosexual Marriage a Lesser form of Love?

Sometimes our human expressions of love are actually expressions of human hate. We must always remember that true love always desires the best for the other, and a love that doesn’t desire Heaven for other is a love that is desires something less for other.

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Paul’s Exhortation on Living in the Spirit
in Lectionary Cycle B, Reflections on Mass Readings

Paul’s Exhortation on Living in the Spirit

Today’s Second Reading at the Sunday Mass comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24: Brothers and sisters: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise [...]

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Justification is a Process
in Catholic Spiritual Life, Lectionary Cycle A, Reflections on Mass Readings

Justification is a Process

Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the [...]

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The Grace Found in Sitting Down
in Lectionary Cycle A, Reflections on Mass Readings

The Grace Found in Sitting Down

Today’s Gospel Reading comes from Matthew 15:29-37, and it is about the Jesus feeding the ‘four thousand’ after he had fed the ‘five thousand’: At that time:Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to [...]

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in Lectionary Cycle C, Reflections on Mass Readings

A Thought on Keeping Good Company

Today’s Second Reading at Mass comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12: Brothers and sisters:You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, [...]

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in Lectionary Cycle C, Reflections on Mass Readings

If Jesus were my Facebook Friend

I noticed a few days ago that the social-media website ‘Facebook’ has a new featured called “See Friendship”. This little gadget appears beneath comments posted on your ‘Wall’ by your Facebook ‘Friends’. When you click on it – it shows you photos that you two [...]

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in Lectionary Cycle C, Reflections on Mass Readings

On the Benefits of Abandonment and Suffering

Today’s Second Reading at Mass comes from 1 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18: Beloved:I am already being poured out like a libation,and the time of my departure is at hand.I have competed well; I have finished the race;I have kept the faith.From now on the crown of [...]

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in Lectionary Cycle C, Reflections on Mass Readings

On the Benefits of Persistent Prayer

Today’s Gospel Reading at Mass comes from Luke 18:1-8: Jesus told his disciples a parableabout the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.He said, “There was a judge in a certain townwho neither feared God nor respected any human being.And a widow in [...]

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Concerning Gossip
in Catholic Spiritual Life

Concerning Gossip

I recently spoke with a woman who hated the fact that she always seemed to get caught up in gossiping about other people. Because she is in the entertainment industry and usually around people who have no interest in becoming saints, she finds herself in [...]

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in Lectionary Cycle C, Reflections on Mass Readings

A Short Treatment on Evils of Self-Complacency

The readings from today’s Mass (Amos 6:1a, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; and Luke 16:19-31) are addressing the issue of self-complacency. Self-complacency is the feeling of self-satisfaction and contentment. And because those who are self-complacent believe that they have ‘arrived’ at a safe place, it lends [...]

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