Living in Love with God

Today’s Readings Today St. Paul captures one of the causes for spiritual stagnation in our current culture: we continually put ourselves first.  “God loves a cheerful giver” (2Cor 9:7c) he writes. When we give of ourselves, in our service to others and in our almsgiving, we receive much more than we give. We grow deeper in Continue reading

Today’s Readings St. Paul praises the Church in Macedonia because ‘they gave themselves first to the Lord’ (2Cor 8:5b).  This self-giving was beyond just a giving of material assistance, but a commitment of their whole lives to the Lord and the Family of Faith.  It was an intentional giving of time, talent, and treasure. The Psalmist today Continue reading

Today’s Readings The Office of Readings today contains a sermon given by St. Anthony of Padua. He says very simply at one point, “Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.”  A very simple message but one that would change the world if each of us lived this way.  We are Continue reading

Today’s Readings In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks of the need for our righteousness to surpass that of the religious leaders of his time.  It is easy to think of the scribes and pharisees in the Gospels through the lens of history.  We are quick to see their opposition to Jesus, His message and seeking to silence him.  We Continue reading

Today’s Readings Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Barnabas.  Barnabas, meaning ‘son of encouragement’, plays a pivotal role in the early Church.  He is the one who presents Paul to the Apostles in Jerusalem and was very active in the proclamation of the Gospel and building up of the Church.  He reminds us of the role Continue reading

Today’s Readings Our return to Ordinary Time following the Easter season begins this year with the Sermon on the Mount. Except for a couple of feasts, we will journey through these chapters of Matthew’s Gospel for the next three weeks.  The Sermon on the Mount describes the life of the Christian disciple, those who have Continue reading

Today’s Readings In the short Gospel today we are reminded that our life of faith and growing in our identity as a child of God is a lifelong process that involves continual openness to learning about the Lord and His teachings. As finite creatures we are unable to fully comprehend all truth. That is why Continue reading

Today’s Readings In the first reading St. Paul exhorts us to rejoice. Joy is the fruit of a life lived in loved with Christ. This joy is more than a feeling that we have. It gives us strength and is our motivation to persevere in faith even during times of struggle. One of the reasons Continue reading

Today’s Readings “I will praise you among the nations, Lord; I will chant your praise among the nations.” (Ps. 57:10 One of the characteristics of the Christian life is that of a life lived in gratitude to God. This gratitude flows from the joy of knowing of God’s love, His constant mercy and forgiveness, and Continue reading