A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings

Open the Eyes of Those Who Cannot See

Jesus is the light of the world.  That is why to open the eyes of the blind is part of the task that his Father has entrusted to him. Jesus decides on his own to open the eyes of a man blind from birth.  The latter gets to see so clearly that he recognizes him to be a...

Visions of a Better Future of Glory

Jesus is the risen Son of Man.  And he is so, for, though the Son of God, he was a servant and obeyed to death on the cross.  He makes our visions of glory come true. Peter does not like what Jesus says about his visions of what is to come.  They seem terrible to...

Tempt Someone Is Not What God Does

Jesus let the devil tempt him just as we are tempted, though he did not sin.  Hence, he can feel for us who are weak, and lift us up. James makes clear that God does not tempt us.  We are tempted by our own evil desire. Today’s first reading and gospel, though,...

Perfect as Our Father in Heaven

Jesus, who is in the bosom of the Father and knows him up close, shows us the divine face.  He wants us to be perfect as our Father. It is quite clear what it means to be perfect as our Father in heaven:  to go beyond what the law and the prophets command and forbid. ...
Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Jesus’ is the power that frees us from the sadness and hopelessness of death.  He wants us to be bearers of joy and hope like his Mother. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of those who make up the Church to bring Christ to others.  And he is the light of the...

Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Perishable, Yet Saving Just the Same

The Word becomes flesh; the imperishable, perishable.  And he shares in our humanity so that we may share in his divinity. Jesus says that he is the bread that came from heaven, which makes the Jews grumble.  They are sure that he is from the same land as they and as...

Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Seekers of the Food that Lasts Forever

Jesus is the bread and drink of life.  The seekers who go to him and believe in him will have their fill; they will never hunger or thirst. The crowds know that Jesus did not go in the boat with his disciples.  That is why those who look for him go to the place where...

Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Loaves and Fish of the Poor for the Poor

Jesus is the answer in full that the Father gives to our prayers.  And we poor people ask him to give us this day our daily loaves of bread. Jesus draws many people due to the signs he has performed for the sick.  But he seems to draw more people after going up on the...

Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Gather the Scattered, Lost, Separated

Jesus Christ is our peace and rest.  He is with us to gather those whom the bad shepherds have scattered, misled and driven apart. The apostles gather together with Jesus.  They tell him how they have fulfilled the task he gave them.  The Teacher, for his part, sees...

Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Choose the One Who Chooses Us First

Jesus leads and completes the mission of those he sees fit to choose on his own initiative.  They, in turn, keep their eyes on him; he shows them to be like him and do as he. It is Jesus who takes the initiative to choose his apostles, missionaries or those he sends. ...

Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Prophets After Jesus Christ’s Own Heart

Jesus is the prophet of prophets.  And we who have, due to our baptism, the calling to be prophets will be so only we do as he. The people take Jesus as one of the prophets (Mt 14, 5; Mk 8, 28; Lk 7, 16; Jn 7, 40).  The learned, in contrast, take pride in not being so...

Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Person of Jesus More than Proposition

Jesus takes away our diseases and bears our illnesses (Mt 8, 17; Is 53, 4).  Hence, for the disciple, to live a life of faith is to be the mercy of the Teacher in person. Jairus falls at Jesus’ feet and pleads that he goes with him.  For his little daughter is dying...

Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over

Trials We Have to Go through to Be New

Jesus dies for us so that we may live for him and in him.  To live so means to go through trials and thus get to be a new creation. Jesus has been teaching the crowds with parables.  One lesson is about trust in God who carries out fully what starts out, even if...

FAMVIN

FREE
VIEW