A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings

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...

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...

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...

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...
Alone, Without Jesus We Do Sink

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. ...

Alone, Without Jesus We Do Sink

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...

Alone, Without Jesus We Do Sink

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...

Alone, Without Jesus We Do Sink

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...

Alone, Without Jesus We Do Sink

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...

Alone, Without Jesus We Do Sink

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...

Alone, Without Jesus We Do Sink

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...

Alone, Without Jesus We Do Sink

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...

Alone, Without Jesus We Do Sink

Eat and Drink for Everlasting Life

Jesus gives us his flesh to eat and his blood to drink. He fills and strengthens us pilgrims who are on the way to eternal life. Jesus gives his disciples his body to eat, and asks them, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Then, he gives them his blood to drink, and tells...

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