The best of the Church The contrast between the two scenes cannot be any greater. In the first scene, Jesus puts the people on guard against the religious leaders: “Beware of the scribes.” Their behavior … Read More
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Rosalino Reyes Dizon)
Let yourselves be drawn by the lowly (Rom. 12:16) Calling our attention are those who go around in long robes, receiving greetings in marketplaces and lavish welcome in religious services and banquets. They are admired … Read More
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (José Antonio Pagola)
What is important A scribe approaches Jesus. He does not come to entrap him. Or to argue with him. His life is founded on laws and norms that spell out how he must behave … Read More
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Rosalino Reyes Dizon)
Love is the fulfillment of the law (Rom. 13:10—NABRE) Jesus is asked which of the commandments is first. The question concerns us, never mind if it comes from the scribe who assents or the Pharisee … Read More
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (José Antonio Pagola)
With new eyes The cure of blind Bartimaeus is recounted by Mark to urge Christian communities to get out of their blindness and mediocrity. Only thus will they be able to follow Jesus on the … Read More
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Rosalino Reyes Dizon)
To pray always without becoming weary (Lk. 18:1—NABRE) St. Augustine reminds Proba of the teaching that discounts talkativeness: our Father knows beforehand our needs. Hence, we are asked to pray not so that God may know … Read More
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (José Antonio Pagola)
Nothing of this sort As they go up to Jerusalem, Jesus keeps announcing to his disciples the sad fate awaiting him in the capital. The disciples do not understand him. They go on arguing for … Read More
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Rosalino Reyes Dizon)
New wine is poured into fresh wineskins (Mk. 2:22—NABRE) The other apostles are indignant at James and John. Is it because the ten consider the two either hard-hearted or lacking in intelligence that they either … Read More
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (José Antonio Pagola)
With Jesus in the midst of crisis Just before Jesus sets out on a journey, a man runs up to him. It seems he is in a hurry to solve his problem: “What must I … Read More
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Rosalino Reyes Dizon)
Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours (Lk. 6:20—NABRE) They warn against idolatry, both the teaching, “You cannot serve God and mammon,” and the one that says, “It is … Read More