Reflection for 2nd Sunday of Lent: Have we ever considered how we explain to others how God is willing to give all of us second chances? Our God is a God of new beginnings. Today’s readings invite us to consider the meaning of repentance in our lives. Repentance is a way of life that feeds our life and our faith. It is one of the ways that God can enrich our lives. God’s generosity of heart invites us to respond. For the love of God, people are willing to live life in a different way. Repentance leads to life in God. In addition to ourselves, are there other people in our life we would like to join with in repentance? What are we going to do about this?

March 9th, 2010

Reflection for Second Sunday of Lent: Have we ever considered how we explain to others how God is our friend? In today’s Gospel we see that the Transfiguration is a moment of grace for Jesus and His disciples. Moments of grace are gifts from God. Please notice that the Transfiguration follows upon Jesus’ prediction of His own passion and what His followers will have to endure. Moments of grace such as the Trans- figuration are powerful reminders of God’s presence in our lives. With the hectic pace of life we sometimes do not realize how God is present in our lives and how He wishes to transform our lives. Each of us is more likely to grow stronger in our faith if we are attentive to the small, everyday signs of the Lord’s presence. As we journey with Jesus life can never be the same. Lent is a time for family members to pray together and to listen to one another. God speaks to us in our families so that they can be transformed into communities of caring and love. It is then that families can reach out with God’s power to help transfigure the broader society. All of us can draw inspiration from the people in the gospels.

March 2nd, 2010

Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent: Each year the First Sunday of Lent is a significant moment in our lives. Each Lent we enter into a conversion process seeking clarity in our own faith journey. Every one of us looks for special meaning and purpose found only in worshipping God. We can all depend upon the grace of Jesus. What are the ways that we are tempted? Feeling tired, hungry or lonely, for instance, can lead us to temptations. Jesus in withstanding temptations not only for Himself, but also for us is able to set the example for us about fundamental decisions. Like Jesus we must resist the temptation to serve only ourselves. Jesus calls us to undertake the journey of faith with an undivided heart. Lent challenges and invites us to a better understanding of God and the call to build His kingdom of love, justice, and mercy. Lent calls us to join with God in building the kingdom today.

February 21st, 2010

Reflection for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time: The Beatitudes of today’s Gospel announce God’s pleasure and relationship to the poor, hungry, sorrowful and the needy. The word “blessed” first meant that someone is fortunate because he or she is the recipient of divine favor. Blessedness is a matter of keeping our eyes on Jesus. Most of us do not have enough time, money or energy to do all that we would like to do. How do we keep our eyes on Jesus; and how do we react to our neediness? The Beatitudes wake us up to the fact that our possessions, our gifts and talents are to be put to the service of others. Success is good; but people are more important. What do we do with the ways that God has blessed us? Have you nourished and encouraged your dreams or the dreams of someone else today or even lately? With the readings of this day and the coming of Lent, this is a good time to ask such questions.

February 15th, 2010

Reflection for the 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time: We spread a message about Jesus by the example we set. This gospel today contains Jesus’ teachings in the synagogues and He speaks words of truth. Today we are invited and challenged to state our lives on the words of the gospel. Jesus is a model of perseverance for us. By Baptism we are committed to live the words of the gospels. God wishes salvation for all people. It is God’s word and God’s ways that are always enduring. How do we help others to appreciate all of the above and develop their God-given gifts and talents? How many people of great potential are there around us who need to be encouraged? God often sends people into our lives to help us and He sends us to others to help them. Jesus gives us the strength to live and be a positive force just like He. Each of us can spread the truth of Jesus and make a difference.

January 31st, 2010

Reflection for Third Sunday of Ordinary Time: In these challenging times it is important to remember that the ordinary signs of God’s love are always around us. The events of two weeks ago in Haiti remind us of how much we need God and each other and a strong spiritual life to deal with the difficult events in life. Sometimes we discover there might be no deeper explanations as to why things happen the way they do. The readings today are reminding us that we all need Jesus’ healing; and the readings are asking us how we bring glad tidings to the poor and the marginalized. How do we respond to God’s call to each of us? Jesus comes to each of us as we acknowledge our needs. Each of us can make a difference individually and collectively. As we hear Jesus’ word to us we give glory and praise to God when we respond with you. We spread a message about Jesus by the example we set.

January 24th, 2010

Reflection for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: We are the beloved of God, and we belong to God. The ordinary signs of God’s love are always around us. Today’s gospel also shows us that Jesus is concerned about the everyday activities of each one of us. Jesus’ first miracle shows that He wishes to be with people and rejoice with them as well. God is very much present in our world and His power can accomplish anything. Have we invited Jesus into our lives and our homes to help us discover our giftedness? When we search the gospels we discover that no person Jesus ever met remains the same after His visit. He always does something special as He comes to make all things new. Mary knew that her Son’s time had come; and she was there to encourage Him. Our Blessed Mother Mary is always ready to assist us n our needs. At the wedding feast at Cana she was a good model for all believers: “Do whatever He tells you.” The mission of every Catholic and Christian is to recognize the ways that Jesus and Mary assisted—and then be hopeful and look for opportunities to increase the honor of God.

January 18th, 2010

Reflection for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: Are we ready? Are we ready to trust God and let Jesus help us? Are we ready to spread the message of God’s unconditional love for each of us? We are the beloved of God. As the Father has loved us so we must love others. John’s Baptism of Jesus was to remind the people that one greater than he was to follow. John knew that someone greater than he was to follow him. He was demanding that the people change their lives in preparation for Jesus. For our sake Jesus became one of us. Jesus’ mission was to go into the world and preach that God’s love is for all people. Jesus’ mission is our mission. Through Baptism each one of us is called to live like Jesus spreading the message of God’s unconditional love and mercy for all people. We preach by our words and actions, just like Jesus. The little extra effort can sometimes make a difference in the life of another person. Jesus showed this in His ministry to others many times. When we reflect upon what our Baptism means to us, how do we respond?

January 14th, 2010

Reflection on Fourth Sunday of Advent: Our life is to be a prayer of praise and gratitude living out God’s will. We discover God’s will for us as did Mary in prayer and reflection. Notice, too, how God shows His faithful- ness to His people. We can and should be faithful to God and to one another. The Lord coming into our lives can be seen in small ways and big ways. Notice how Mary saw her cousin Elizabeth in need and went to her. Mary seeks to bring God to others. Please notice also how Elizabeth saw God in Mary. Elizabeth also shows that when we see goodness we should acknowledge it both to the other person and to God. How do we see God in others and how quickly and generously are we to respond to the needs of others? Am I looking forward to Jesus coming into my life in a new way at Christmas?

December 20th, 2009

Reflection on the Third Sunday of Advent: Today we ask the questions “What should we do?” “What do we truly care about in life?” Advent is a time to look at this. This Sunday we light the pink candle on the Advent wreath as a reminder of the closeness of God. How do we find joy in the Lord? The readings today are inviting us to realize how relating to others is a reflection of how we relate to Jesus. By virtue of our Baptism, our lives like John the Baptist are about others. Community is an essential element of joy. By being with others we actively exceed ourselves and point people to the presence of God. John the Baptist puts responsibility in our hands. We are called to be the presence of Christ for each other. Through acts of kindness and thanksgiving we express that God is near.

December 13th, 2009