EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME August 7, Saturday The beautiful first reading of today is the Shema Israel, “Hear, O Israel,” named after the opening words. It is a text recited three times a day, or at least once in the morning, by every pious Jew, even up to this day. It tells how […]
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Reflection: Matthew 17: 14-20 ‘Moving mountains’ was an expression used of Rabbis who were skilled in interpreting Scripture and resolving difficulties. Moving a real mountain must have been so dramatic in the time of Jesus. But today it is not so. If you want to move a real mountain, hire a bulldozer, Moving mountains […]
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Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knowing that his time had come to pass from this world to his Father, having loved those who were his own in the world he loved them to the end.” In chapter 13, the narration of evangelist John arrives at the ‘hour,’ the long-awaited moment. The moment of […]
Transfiguration of the Lord August 6, Friday According to St. Luke, when Jesus is about to depart for Jerusalem to make his “exodus” for his passion and death, the light of his resurrection is already projected on him at his transfiguration. It comes as an encouraging foretaste of his glory to strengthen him on the […]
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Reflection: Mark 9: 2-10 Today’s Gospel opens with the phrase: “After six days.” What happened before six days? Probably it is a reference to the Gospel we have listened to yesterday – a question on the identity of Jesus that occurred in the region of Caesarea Philippi (Mt 16:13-20). There, Peter professed his faith […]
EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME August 5, Thursday Water is a necessity of life, highly appreciated particularly by men living in an arid country, like the Jews, or as they experienced in the desert on their weary way to the Promised Land. Water easily becomes the symbol of God, who is at the same time […]
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Reflection: Matthew 16: 13-23 The evangelist places the scene in Caesarea Philippi, a place known for the abundance of vegetation, fruits, a fertile land developed by Philip, one of the son of Herod. This locality was formerly called Panias because it was believed that, in this corner of paradise, the pagan God Pan and the […]
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(August 6) To contemplate his transfigured face: an experience that every disciple must do. Introduction Immediately after the story of the Transfiguration, the three Synoptic Gospels tell the story of the healing of an epileptic boy. Jesus comes down from the mountain with Peter, James, and John. They see a man break away from […]
EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME August 4, Wednesday We need a “discernment of spirits” to distinguish between wrong contestation and contestation that bears witness (con-testari) to what is just and right. When the Hebrews revolted in the desert, they protested against the demands of the covenant and the risks they had to take to make […]
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Reflection: Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus’ seeming indifference does not discourage this mother in the Gospel today. This woman’s inner strength comes from her maternal love and in her faith that Jesus can grant her request. Pope Francis says, this passage made him think of the strength of women. “With their strength they are able to obtain […]