THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

April 01, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Love is the first of all the commandments. This tells us something of the nature of love – it is a choice. Yes, our emotions and feelings can be inspirations for our love but this does not necessarily have to be the case. We either choose to love God or someone else, or we do not. It does not matter what the situation might be; we are called to love all people at all times. Love is a free gift we offer to all men and women, and God as well!

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

 

Mark 12:28-34

28 One of the scribes, came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” 29 Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! 30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ 33 And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

A KINGDOM DIVIDED BY ITSELF WILL NOT LAST

March 31, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Jesus has complete power over the devil. He has given us this power in Baptism, at least in part, such that we are no longer in any way under his influence. The power of Satan has been broken and the reign of sin is ended, thanks to the victory of Jesus on the cross. Let us seek to implement this power by ignoring temptation and choosing the path of holiness. When the devil tempts us let us double our efforts to be holy so that he will stop tempting us as we are becoming too holy for him!

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, for I am gracious and merciful.

 

Luke 11:14-23

14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed. 15 Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” 16 Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 17 But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 18 And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. 19 If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

JESUS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW

March 30, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Jesus is not an anarchist; He did not abolish the Law! Jesus fulfills the tenets of the Law and invites all of us to do the same. There is no doubt that the Law of Moses remains as valid today as it did 3,800 years ago. What is different is that we have the Holy Spirit in a far more explicit manner to help us fulfill the commands of the Law. Only when we surrender fully to His grace will we understand the extent of the grace God makes available to us.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

 

Matthew 5:17-19

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

FORGIVE AND FORGIVE

March 29, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

When it comes to things like forgiveness and generosity, how many times we should forgive and how much should we give? We should not really be counting! Jesus tells us that we are required to forgive however many times someone sins against us. This is not just for their benefit, but also for our own. If we fail to forgive, we will be caught up in the bondage of unforgiveness and resentment. This is never a healthy state to be in!

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.

 

Matthew 18:21-35

21 Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 23 That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. 25 Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. 26 At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ 27 Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. 28 When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29 Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. 31 Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. 32 His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. 33 Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ 34 Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. 35 So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

A PROPHET IS NOT ACCEPTED IN HIS OWN HOME

G O S P E L

 

Jesus applies the story of Naaman to present-day (for Him) Israel. This application emphasizes for us the need to be faithful to the graces that God bestows upon us or He will shift His attention elsewhere and we will be without the grace of God. This ought to inspire in us greater faithfulness and attention to the grace of God.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

I hope in the LORD, I trust in his word; with him there is kindness and plenteous redemption.

 

Luke 4:24-30

24 Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. 25 Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. 26 It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. 29 They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

THE SAMARITAN WOMAN

G O S P E L

The story of the Woman at the Well reminds us that Jesus did not come to judge us but to free us from the power of sins so that we are capable of judging ourselves and thus repenting of our sins. Let us take time out today to reflect upon our lives and the sins we have committed. Then, let us all resolve to confess our sins before Easter so that our celebration of Easter will be a celebration of freedom from sin.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world; give me living water, that I may never thirst again.

 

John 4:5-42

5 Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” — For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans. —  10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; 14 but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come back.” 17 The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ 18 For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking with you.” 27 At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, 29 “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 They went out of the town and came to him. 31 Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. 36 The reaper is already receiving his payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. 37 For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.” 39 Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done.” 40 When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41 Many more began to believe in him because of his word, 42 and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”i

THE PRODIGAL SON

G O S P E L

The story of the prodigal son turns into a story about the prodigal father. Let us take time out once in a while to reflect upon the more obscure and often overlooked element of this parable. The son’s conversion would be treated far more skeptically if the father was not so loving and forgiving. And this father’s love and mercy are nothing compared to that of our God.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

I will get up and go to my father and shall say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

1 The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, 2 but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So to them he addressed this parable. 11 “A man had two sons, 12 and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. 13 After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. 14 When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. 15 So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 16 And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. 17 Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. 18 I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” ’ 20 So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22 But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. 25 Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 27 The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. 30 But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ 31 He said to him, ‘My son, youare here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32 But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

THE ANNUNCIATION

March 25, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

The story of the Annunciation is one that captures our imagination as children as it has all the elements of a great drama: angels intervening in people’s lives, scandal with the pregnancy of an unwed mother; the drama of the slaughter of the Holy Innocents; an emergency birth in a stable; and the main characters are all unremarkable, ordinary people like you and me! If God can do this then, He is equally capable of using all of us for another significant task in His Kingdom.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL OR ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

The Word of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us; and we saw his glory.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

 

Luke 1:26-38

26 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

THE POOR MAN. LAZARUS

March 24, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Anyone who is rich or comfortably well off among us needs to reflect upon this parable often to remind ourselves of the moral imperative to share what we have with the poor. Many men and women, children included, are poor through little or even no fault of their own — they were simply born into poverty. Even if people have become poor through bad choices, we still have a responsibility to care for them, though perhaps not as great.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.

 

Luke 16:19-31

19 Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. 20 And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. 22 When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ 25 Abraham replied, ‘My child,  remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. 26 Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ 27 He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

TO SERVE AND NOT TO BE SERVED

March 23, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Being a disciple of Jesus will necessarily involve an element of suffering. There would have been no gift of salvation without Jesus’ own suffering. We will not experience the fullness of salvation without first suffering the purifying fires of God’s love. It is in the pangs of suffering that character is forged. It is men and women of character who will have the strength to live the will of God.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

 

Matthew 20:17-28

17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, 19 and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. 21 He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” 23 He replied, “My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. 26 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; 27 whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 28 Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

WHOEVER EXALTS HIMSELF WILL BE HUMBLED

March 22, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Making our words consonant with our actions is not an easy task but it is essential if we desire to be a living witness to the Gospel. Jesus reminds His listeners that they must always act on the truth whether or not the person speaking the truth acts on it. This is why integrity in preaching is so important. Jesus’ own ministry had a power all of its own as He always lived what He proclaimed.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

 

 

Matthew 23:1-12

1 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

FORGIVE AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN

March 21, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Holiness will not happen unless we are willing to do away with sin and choose good over evil. We should remember that forgiveness always carries with it an element of compassion, a readiness to understand the reason why someone may have sinned against us. This in no way excuses their sin or makes it unimportant in the relationship. We cannot expect God or anyone else to have compassion on us when we sin against them if we are unwilling to be compassionate when others sin against us.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

 

Luke 6:36-38

36 Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful. 37 Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. 38 Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

THE TRANSFIGURATION

March 20, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

The Transfiguration reminds us of the holiness of Jesus and also that He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, represented by the presence of Moses (The Law) and Elijah (The Prophets). It is important for us to respond to this revelation through an act of faith and trust in Jesus - that He is truly the Son of God and thus we will surrender all to Him and follow His call on our lives.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard: This is my beloved Son, hear him.

 

Matthew 17:1-9

1 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” 8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

March 19, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Joseph’s faithfulness to God’s call is something we should all seek to imitate. He is not alone in being faithful to God’s call but his role in the life of Jesus deserves to be reflected upon so that we can draw any lessons in it that may be there for us. Let us never be satisfied with mere lip service to the will of God or the example of the lives of the saints.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL OR ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord; they never cease to praise you.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

 

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 (or Luke 2:41-51)

16 Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 18 Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose

her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

GO FIRST, AND BE RECONCILED WITH YOUR BROTHER

March 18, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Jesus reminds us that surface conversion (making our lives look good from the outside) is not enough to attain eternal life. The Gospel has to penetrate the depths of our lives so that we will be transformed into the image and likeness of God. This is our destiny; this is what life in heaven consists of. Let us be faithful in continuing the work God has begun in us so that we will be found worthy (by the grace of God) on Judgment Day.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

 

Matthew 5:20-26

20 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. 23 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU

March 17, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Jesus encourages us to intercede for our needs. He wants us to be forthright and honest as we place our needs before God. If we truly think that God is asking us to do something and for which we need some help, then what is stopping us from forthrightly stating these needs to Him? At least God will know that we are trying to do what He asks us to do. And if we fail to place our needs before Him, He will also know that we are not really committed to be obedient to His Word.

 

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

A clean heart create for me, God; give me back the joy of your salvation.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

 

Matthew 7:7-12

7 Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, 10 or a snake when he asks for a fish? 11 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. 12 Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

THE SON OF MAN, THE SIGN FOR THIS GENERATION

March 16, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Every generation has a certain level of wickedness to it and there is no point complaining about our situation whatever it may be. This is the time in which we live and we need to make the most of it and thus do whatever we can to proclaim and live the Gospel. Jesus is obviously frustrated by the slowness of people in accepting the Gospel of salvation. Their hardness of heart is probably much worse today. However, let us rejoice that we have the answer in Jesus and do all we can to share this saving truth with others.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful.

 

Luke 11:29-32

29 While still more people gathered in the crowd, he said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. 30 Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. 32 At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

THE LORD'S PRAYER

March 15, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

The prayer that Jesus teaches His disciples is one that basically covers all the aspects of a disciple’s life. Therefore we can use this prayer as a cover-all prayer when we do not know what to pray for when someone asks us to pray for them. We should simply ask the Holy Spirit to apply the Lord’s Prayer to that person’s life.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

 

Matthew 6:7-15

7 Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread; 12 and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; 13 and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

FOR I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME FOOD

March 14, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Jesus emphasizes the truth that we are called to love and care for everyone. There are no exceptions to this. Love as a calling always has a place for another human being no matter what our relationship with that person may be and even if we have never met them before. Let us seek to imitate Jesus’ universal love for others as we strive to be His disciples.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

 

Matthew 25:31-46

31 Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, 32 and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ 44 Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ 45 He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ 46 And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

MAN DOES NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE

March 13, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Jesus confronted the reality of sin and temptation in His life on earth. He resists the temptations of the devil by adhering to the truth (the devil is a consummate liar) as found in the Scriptures. We will do well to learn the Scriptures to the extent that we can recall the right verses for the situations we come across in our lives. An actor memorizes many lines when performing – what is there to stop us Christians from learning the Scriptures in order that we can call them to mind when needed?

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

 

Matthew 4:1-11

1 At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. 3 The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” 4 He said in reply, “It is written: ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you’ and ‘with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’ ” 8 Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, 9 and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” 10 At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

THE CALLING OF LEVI

March 12, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

Love is never interested in the benefits or returns for loving. This is a very difficult attitude to develop. The world is motivated by ‘investment return benefits’ and very little else. Even donations to disaster funds can depend upon whether there is tax deductibility for the donation or not. God’s love demands nothing and gives everything freely. This is what we must seek to imitate. If enough of us are successful, the world will never be the same again.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live.

 

Luke 5:27-32

27 Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. 29 Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. 32 I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM

March 11, 2011

D A I L Y G O S P E L

One of the ways we lose our lives in order to save them is by doing penance. Any penance we undertake ought to be directed towards a spiritual goal, including something like overcoming a particular sin we may have found troublesome in our lives. During Lent we are encouraged to focus our attention on something like this so that we can grow closer to God and become a more faithful disciple.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Luke 9:22-25

22 Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” 23 Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?