God's Word is Alive

One phrase stands out for me from today's first reading (1Pet 1:3-9). It is a kind of key for understanding everything in our Christian walk of faith: God the Father “has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Peter is writing to the first Christians. They are living in difficult times amid threats of persecution and death. Peter is telling them that through baptism, they are united with Jesus in His dying and rising. The “living hope” they have received is not some kind of worldly optimism. It is something deeply rooted in their souls that gives purpose and meaning to their lives and work in very trying circumstances. Peter tells them their faith in Jesus is “more precious than gold”, but like gold, it is being refined in their adversities. Fire burns up the impurities of gold; the fire of suffering forces us to cling to what's really important. “Living hope,” that comes with belonging to Jesus, carries us forward – J...

 Today's Gospel (Mk 10:13-16) tells us Jesus was “indignant” with His disciples for rebuking people who brought Him children to bless: “' Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ...whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.' Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.” The Kingdom of God belongs to those with childlike hearts – hearts that trust, that are drawn to goodness, kindness; to compassion and mercy when they've done wrong. Jesus was all these things for them; He is all these things for us – the loving-kindness, compassion and mercy of God. We want our children and families to know Him; would that the whole world come to know Him! Telling the whole world about Jesus is the heart of our Christian calling: the great commission t o go out and teach the Good News. It starts with our children and families, neighbours and communities. The Lett...

  Three themes stood out for me from today's readings: - Persevere and trust in God's loving plan for my life, - Avoid unnecessary promises, - Marriage as a holy covenant. In the first reading, the Apostle James reminds his readers to persevere without complaining, to avoid God's judgement. They are to take the prophets and Job as their model of reliance on God's compassion. (Jas 5,9-12) The reading ends with a call to say "yes" if we mean yes and "no" if we mean no. We are to steer clear of swearing by this or that, as we will be held to such promises; better to avoid them altogether. Psalm 103 is one of my favourites. It is David's hymn of praise to the compassion and forgiveness of God. Jesus is the full revelation of everything this psalm proclaims. He is the Father's infinite compassion and forgiveness. His preaching, healing, forgiveness and Self-offering on the cross restored us full "members of the household of God" (Eph...

 Today's readings speak to me about rewards of the heart. A heart set on love of God and neighbour has no room for injustice; it honours those who seek to do good and respects the dignity of others. A heart set on love will build up what is true, kind and holy in our families, communities and world. Its reward is an abundance of these things now and in the life to come. Today's word tells us that a heart set only on wealth, prestige and dominance reaps a reward that lasts as long as one's short life on earth, but goes into the next life in great poverty, if not eternal punishment. The Apostle James (Jas 5:1-6) has stern words for those who amass great wealth through injustice toward their neighbour. Their reward is as harsh as their oppressive practices: “ Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; i...

Today's first reading from the Letter of James (Jas 4:13-17) warns against taking pride in making great plans without regard for God's will. James calls such plans arrogant, boastful and evil. The psalm response (Ps 49) is David's declaration that God is his true Source of prosperity and safety. He has experienced being surrounded by wicked people of great wealth and power. God kept him safe from them in the wilderness. David reminds his hearers that money cannot buy long life or redemption in God's sight. Those who rely on money and power die, and their wealth goes to others: “ Why should I fear in evil days when my wicked ensnarers ring me round? They trust in their wealth; the abundance of their riches is their boast. Yet in no way can a man redeem himself, or pay his own ransom to God; Too high is the price to redeem one’s life; he would never have enough to remain alive always and not see destruction. For he can see that wise men die, and likewise the senseless an...

A simple theme is settling into my heart today as I reflect on these readings: Hell shall not prevail . Today's Gospel tells the story of Peter's confession of faith. Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They repeat what the crowds are saying: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets...” Jesus then asks, “Whom do you say that I am?” Peter replies, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replies that Peter's words are the Father's revelation, not of human origin. Jesus then tells Peter (Petrus, meaning “Rock”) that “on this rock [i.e., on the office of Peter] I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it.” Jesus gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom – to bind and loose on earth and heaven. In the first reading (1Pet 5:1-4), Peter writes to his fellow presbyters (priests) and directs them to tend their flock, not for profit, not lording it over them, but leading by example so th...

  Today's first reading contrasts selfish ambition and jealousy with the “wisdom from above.” Selfish ambition and jealousy bring “disorder and every foul practice.” The wisdom from above, by contrast, “ is pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.” In Psalm 19, David proclaims that a soul which meditates on God's law and decrees will be refreshed and filled with this wisdom: “ The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.” Wisely and humbly, David then prays – for a heart which finds favour in God's sight: “ Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favour before you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Without such a heart, he cannot fulfill his anointing as king. Our Gospel reading finds Jesus, Peter, James and John coming off the mountain of transfiguration. A crowd is waiting for them. Scribes (who do not believe...

Today's Gospel (Mk 9:2-13) is one of encouragement. Peter, James and John go up the mountain with Jesus, and He is transfigured before them: his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them." Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the prophet appear and converse with Jesus. For a moment, Peter, James and John are given a glimpse of Jesus' glory as the heavenly Son of Man, in Whom the law and prophets are fulfilled. The Father's powerful voice resounds, "T his is My Beloved Son. Listen to Him." Coming down the mountain, Jesus commands them to say nothing of this to anyone until He, "t he Son of Man has risen from the dead." What Peter, James and John witnessed on the mountain was a gift - to strengthen their faith and encourage them for the days ahead. Jesus, the long-awaited Son of Man, would be crucified. It would appear as though the hopes and dreams of His followers were dashed to pieces. Indeed, the Gospel of John tells us ...

  I prayed for a simple understanding of today's readings, waiting on the Lord for clarity. “Love is the only way forward” finally crystallized in my mind. The first reading from the Letter of James tells us in the that we are to live by faith with works of love: “Faith without works is dead.” In today's psalm, David speaks of the blessing that comes from fear of the Lord, delighting in His commands and not taking advantage of one's neighbour in need: “ Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands. ...Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; He shall never be moved; the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance.” (Ps 112) Jesus sums it all up in His teaching on the cross. Through the cross, Jesus won for us the gift of eternal life. This gift is worth preserving more than any other. To be His disciple is to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. Instead of gaining the world for ourselve...

Two themes stood out for me in today's readings – poverty and anointing . In the first reading (Jas 2:1-9), the Apostle James is writing to an early Christian community that would have gathered to worship in a local home. James rebukes them for giving the best seats to wealthy members, and seating the poor on the floor when the Eucharist is celebrated. James points out that by doing so, they have made “distinctions among [them]selves and become judges with evil designs;” they have dishonoured the poor whom God chose “to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom to those who love Him.” James reminds them that it is the rich who oppress, take them to court and even “blaspheme the noble name that was invoked over [them].” The poor do not have this kind of influence. James tells them that they “are doing well” if they “fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Otherwise, they are committing sin by their partiality to the rich. Today...