A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings

Slaves in the Same Way as Jesus

Jesus takes the form a slave and becomes like us.  We who seek to follow him are to become lowly slaves in the same way that he is.   For us who try to be and live as Jesus, to be first means to be slaves (Mk 10, 43-45). And today’s gospel teaches the same lesson. ...

Sweat in Seeking the Other’s Good

Jesus shows us how to love in truth God and our neighbor.  Out of love for them, he has to sweat blood and give himself wholly. To strive and to sweat.  This is what love for God asks of us who are of the Vincentian Family (SV.EN XI:32).  That is to say, it is not...

Reflect the Creator and Owner of All

Jesus is the image of the God whom no one has ever seen.  Hence, he cannot but reflect God who is merciful, kind, and faithful. No doubt, we Christians want to reflect Jesus.  And we believe, of course, that to reflect him means to reflect also the very God whose...

Clothe Ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ

Today’s parable makes clear that those who accept God’s call to his kingdom must clothe themselves appropriately.

Go and See the Child Lying in the Manger

Sun of Justice That Saves and Heals

Jesus is the sun of justice that enlightens us who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. The Ukrainians suffer very much due to the war.  And life will be harder still for millions.  For they are plunged into the cold and the dark; thanks to the sun for heat and...

Go and See the Child Lying in the Manger

Believers, and Not Just Thinkers

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.  It is enough for us to be believers in him to conquer death. The problem of religion does not lie in those who are not believers but in those who are believers.  It does not lie in the publican, but in the Pharisee that looks...

Go and See the Child Lying in the Manger

Just Servants of the Holy Lord

Jesus is the image of the all-just God who alone is good.  Before him and before God, no one is just. Last Sunday’s theme on prayer is back today.  For Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the publican.  The two are in the temple to pray.  And St. Luke lets us...

Cries of Those Who Are Poor for Justice

Cries of Those Who Are Poor for Justice

Jesus is the help that comes from above.  He is at once the unflagging prayer for the poor and the saving answer to their cries. Jesus tells his disciples the parable of the widow and the judge.  He wants to teach them how they should pray to the one who hears the...

Cries of Those Who Are Poor for Justice

Thanks to God through Jesus Christ

Jesus it is who teaches us by word and by deed to give to God the right thanks that we owe him for the gifts we freely receive. The Samaritan, who sees that he is free of leprosy and goes back to give Jesus thanks, breaks the mold.  For he is a foreigner that Jews...

Cries of Those Who Are Poor for Justice

Freely You Receive, Freely Give Also

Jesus has redeemed us by his blood.  We do not pay, nor can we pay, for our redemption; we receive it freely. Faith is a divine gift (Rom 12, 3; Phil 1, 29; 2 Pt 1, 1).  Those who believe only have it by God’s grace; they receive it freely.  And it is safe to say that...

Cries of Those Who Are Poor for Justice

Crucible That Tests Our Hearts

Jesus is the only one that his disciples need to know and speak of.  From the cross, he proclaims that those who are his go through the crucible.  They thus get to be just like him. “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, but the one that tests...

Cries of Those Who Are Poor for Justice

Cut off from Us All Self-Sufficiency

Jesus is “God-with-us.”  And that is why disciples should not cut off God and their neighbor from their lives. The man whose life is one of luxury and show is very rich:  stylish clothes, lavish banquets.  He is cut off, for sure, from the beggar; the two are worlds...

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