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...
A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings
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...
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...
Strangers, Foreigners, There Are No More
Jesus makes one of the citizens and the strangers. In him, there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female. Needs do not know borders, of nation or religion. That is why both Jews and strangers have needs. So, it does not surprise...
Alone, Without Jesus We Do Sink
Jesus does not leave us alone especially in tough times. He stretches out his hand and catches us, so that we may not sink. The disciples go ahead by themselves in a boat. Meanwhile, Jesus dismisses the crowds. He, then, goes up on the mountain by himself to pray. ...
Respond to More than Just Our Needs
Jesus is a man for others. That is why he cannot but respond to their needs. To be his disciple means to follow his example. The crowds do not leave Jesus alone. They must take him for someone who is ready to respond to their needs. And those who go to Jesus do not...
Reign of God and His Justice First
Jesus teaches us how to pray. He wants us to ask first that the Father’s name be praised, his reign come and his will be done. Self-interest plays no part in Solomon’s prayer. He only asks for wisdom to reign. And the Lord does what he asks. So, Solomon knows what to...
Kindly Power that Gives Us Hope
Kindly is Jesus, slow to anger and full of mercy. He gives us the good hope for salvation, peace and security. Every cloud has a silver lining. So, it is not all bad that the devil brings evil into the world that God created good. But the kindly Son of Man does not...
Eager and High-Spirited Sowers
Jesus is the one who sows the word of the Kingdom. And he wants his followers to be eager and high-spirited sowers that he is. The wise and the learned say Jesus blasphemes, breaks the law and is possessed by the devil (Mk 2, 7. 24; 3, 22). But the simple folks...
Meek Teacher, and Lowly as Well
Jesus is meek and lowly. And he asks us to learn from him, so that we may find rest. The Gospel reading last Sunday spoke about how much it would cost to follow Jesus (Mt 10, 37-42). And the Teacher demanded complete loyalty. Even if it meant painful break with the...
Illusions about Our Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus is the Suffering Servant of the Lord. Those who truly know him do not have illusions about him. The Teacher gives the Twelve full disclosure. For he does not want them to have illusions about how much it costs to be an apostle. After all, this is what calling...
Afraid at Night, Uneasy at Daylight
Jesus is and will always be with us until the end of the age. We put our trust in him and in his words when we are afraid. Jesus tells the Twelve that no disciple is above his teacher. That is to say, those who are like wolves will call them names and speak ill of...
