Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. That we remain in him, and he in us, is what makes us bear much fruit. In...
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...
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...
Clarifying Church teaching once and for all?
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), October 19, 2014 – Is 45, 1. 4-6; 1 Thes 1, 1-5b; Mt 22, 15-21 Not in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 1, 5) God speaks to us. But do we really understand him? Who guarantees us the truth? He speaks...
No tank tops or shorts
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), October 12, 2014 – Is 25, 6-10a; Phil 4, 12-14. 19-20; Mt 22, 1-14 God will fully supply whatever you need (Phil 4, 19) God invites us to a sumptuous banquet. Do we accept the invitation with respectful gratitude? The banquet...
“Sing of love there could be” (Joseph Raposo/Carpenters)
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), October 5, 2014 – Is 5, 1-7; Phil 4, 6-9; Mt 21, 33-43 Keep on doing what you have learned (Phil 4, 9) The vineyard of the Lord is his people. He looks for choice and abundant harvest in them. God has chosen us so we may...
Second thoughts
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), September 28, 2014 – Ez 18, 25-28; Phil 2, 1-11; Mt 21, 28-32 If there is any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy (Phil 2, 1) Just like his Father, Jesus does not wish us sinners to die but to turn back to...
Jesus Christ, C.M.
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), September 21, 2014 – Is 55, 6-9; Phil 1, 20c-24. 27a; Mt 20, 1-16a Conduct worthy of the Gospel (Phil 1, 27) God wants all human beings to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Those who really know him and the...
Poisoning ourselves?
God greatly exalted him (Phil 2, 9) No one has greater faith than the one who, feeling totally forsaken and helpless, still commends his spirit into the hands of the Father. Whoever believes in this greatest Believer and catches his faith will be saved. Faith, in...
Truth to power
Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), September 7, 2014 – Ez 33, 7-9; Rom 13, 8-10; Mt 18, 15-20 Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another (Rom 13, 8) In the end, love is what it is all about. It is God. It never fails. It keeps no records of wrongs (“If...
Head-on collision
Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), August 31, 2014 – Jer 20, 7-9; Rom 12, 1-2; Mt 16, 21-27 Living sacrifice (Rom 12, 1) Facing and accepting death, Jesus’ takes our place and carries what we human beings, bogged down in our human way of thinking, refuse to...
A key: enter and let enter
Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), August 24, 2014 – Is 22, 19-23; Rom 11, 33-36; Mt 16, 13-20 Oh, the depth of riches! (Rom 11, 33) God welcomes us to his household, so that everything he has may be ours. In his household, we are each handed a key. No matter...
