A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings

Lead God’s Flock in the Same Way as Jesus

Jesus shows what God does to lead his flock.  And so, he also gives a model for his shepherds. The crowds longed for someone to lead them out of the mess, a Messiah to guide a people in trouble.  But they ended up disappointed since they did not want a suffering...

Misgivings, Doubts, Questions, Darkness

Jesus was once dead, but now he lives forever and ever (Rev 1, 18).  For God raised him from the dead.  May our misgivings not lead us to deny him. It is hard to get rid of misgivings.  And misgivings can easily arise even in the hearts of the disciples. But...

Joyful to See the Lord in Their Midst

The risen Christ stands in the midst of his disciples and wishes them peace.  He shows them his hands and his side.  And they turn joyful. The disciples are not at all joyful after the death of Jesus.  They are even broken and hopeless. For not only do they miss their...

Attest that Jesus Is among the Living

Jesus has risen and has appeared to his disciples.  He chooses them as witnesses who will attest that he is alive. The disciples have not seen Jesus rise from the dead. At first, Mary Magdalen can only attest that she has seen the stone removed from the tomb. And for...
Fishers of Men and Women, Sinners All

Free from All Sin, All Anxiety and Worries

Jesus is the most eminent among those who, free from sin and anxiety, commit themselves to God and the neighbor. Having Moses as mediator, God announced the commandments on Mount Sinai.  But in these last days, God, speaking to us through his Son, also on a mountain,...

Fishers of Men and Women, Sinners All

Chosen and Appointed to Bear Lasting Fruit

Jesus is the one who has chosen and appointed us to bear fruit. Jesus’ chosen way breaks the mold.  Unlike the religious leaders who are settled in Jerusalem, he withdraws to Galilee. His withdrawal to Galilee shows his courage.  He has chosen not to turn back as...

Fishers of Men and Women, Sinners All

Know the Son, Servant and Lamb of God

The only Son is the one who reveals God.  Without the Son, we can neither know God nor attain salvation. No one knows the Father except the Son.  And only those to whom the Son wants to reveal the Father can know the Father.  Hence, Jesus is indispensable. We need...

Fishers of Men and Women, Sinners All

Worship of God in Spirit and Truth

Only through Christ can we give to the Father the pleasing worship in Spirit and truth.  And we come to the one who alone suffices only through Jesus. In Jerusalem, magi from the east ask a question.  They want  to know where the newborn king of the Jews is and to...

Fishers of Men and Women, Sinners All

Awesome and Alluring Blessing

Jesus is our only Savior, and he saves in an awesome and alluring way.  He will bless us when as priests through our baptism, we invoke his name upon one another. There is no other name by which salvation comes to us but the name of Jesus.  And since he is our all...

Fishers of Men and Women, Sinners All

Light for our Path Is the Word of God

The creative and sustaining Word, made flesh and dwelling among us, is the true light that enlightens everyone. The comforting oracle through prophet Isaiah comes to fulfillment with the coming of Jesus.  In him, too, the great light that people walking in...

Fishers of Men and Women, Sinners All

Presence of the Mighty God among Us

Jesus, our Savior, is the presence of God among us.  Are we Christians the presence of Jesus in the world? The name of the Messiah, of the Lord’s Anointed, is Jesus.  His name shows that his mission is to save his people from their sins.  Hence, his presence means...

Fishers of Men and Women, Sinners All

Darkness and Black Clouds that Are Menacing

Jesus is the great light that shines on those who dwell in darkness. John is “under pressure.”  Although relatively young, he feels death is lurking in the darkness.  The executioner can come any time to take the prisoner away. And the darkness of prison and impending...

Fishers of Men and Women, Sinners All

Voice Demanding Justice, Mercy and Peace

The voice of Jesus is an invitation to the kingdom of God.   And the voice of the disciples should be but an echo of their Teacher’s voice. The Forerunner considers himself as a voice shouting out the same message that the one he precedes will also preach: Repent, for...