A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings
Guilt and Hope that We All Share
Jesus is the Good News of salvation. He calls us who have sinned—and no one of us is free of guilt—to return to God. ...
Prayers and Changes for Good
Christ is always before the Father in prayer. And it is while he prays that the appearance of his face changes and...
Lure of Power, Wealth and Glory
Jesus wears the crown of glory since he rejected the devil’s lure and suffered death. The Crucified is model of true...
Power for the Mission to Announce the Gospel
The Holy Spirit is the power that equips us for the mission to announce the Gospel. Salvation belongs to those who confess by the power of the Spirit, "Jesus is Lord," and believe that God raised him from the dead. Confession with our mouth, then, and faith in our...
Ascension of the Poor Lying in the Dust
The ascension of Jesus proves that God lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things. On the day of the ascension itself, Jesus appears once more to the apostles. He tells them that in a few days they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. The news...
Spirit of Signs, Life as well as Truth
At the request of Jesus, God gives the Holy Spirit to those who love Jesus. First, the Spirit remains with those who prove they love Jesus by keeping his commandments. As the presence of the Ascended one who has become the Giver of gifts, the Spirit equips believers...
Farewell that Brings Life and Courage
Jesus encourages his followers as he bids them farewell. He reveals that he is the way and the truth and the life. Jesus bids his followers farewell. He knows it troubles them. So, he says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith...
Gate We Cannot Do without to Attain Salvation
Jesus alone is the gate we cannot do without to attain salvation. He is the gate through which we come in and go out without arousing suspicion. That is to say, coming in through him, we access lawfully and unquestionably the safety of the sheepfold. And going out...
Burning, Listening and Welcoming
Jesus is the last word about unheeding, cold and uncaring hearts turning into hearts that listen, are burning and welcoming. The disciples heading toward Emmaus know that the word, like the flames shooting out of burning brush, spreads quickly. Hence, the question of...
Night of Peace, Mission, Faith and Clearness
Granting us peace and entrusting us a mission, the risen Jesus makes the night shine as the day. He thus arouses faith. As the night falls, the disciples look for safety in a house with locked doors. That is because they are afraid of fellow Jews who sought the...
Dawn Means Love and Return to the Source
The risen Jesus is the dawn from on high. When we love him and keep his word, our darkness fades. Mary Magdalen visits the tomb at dawn. Seeing the tomb open, she worries just as the religious leaders do. It worries them that someone may steal the body of Jesus....
Die as Does Jesus on the Cross
Obeying God and keeping his word, Jesus dies on the cross. Christians ought to die in the same way. We hear, not rarely, “Such life, so too the end.” That is to say, we die as we live. So, St. Vincent rightly teaches that to die like Jesus Christ, one has to live...