This parable in today’s gospel is a lesson in persistence in prayer. While the parable seems to present prayer as nagging God for what we want, such a reading misses the point. God is not like the judge in the parable, worn down by requests and coerced to respond. The…

Dear Friends: This week we celebrate All Saints and All Souls Day. The two days remind us that being Christians we belong to a greater community than the one we experience here on earth. Martyr’s and confessors, rulers and doctors of the Church, devoted ministers of religious brethren, kings of…

The gospel scene today is almost incredible to us. How could nine men after being cured by Jesus of a horrible decease fail to return and thank him? It is very difficult to understand. All of us would like to think that in our relationship with God we are like…

Jesus often uses dramatic language to make a point, as he does today: “We are worthless slaves…” Slaves! But we are God’s children! Yes, blessed and gifted and also given responsibilities and held accountable. We must use well the gifts we have received. The Lord will want to know what…

In today’s readings the Lord teaches us to sensitive and responsive to the needs of others. The rich man in today’s gospel is not punished for anything he did to the poor man Lazarus. We are not told that he shouted at him, or abused him in any way. But…

Today’s Gospel tells us that while persons who focus on self-gratification are very shrewd in their friendships, Christians must focus on being trustworthy, serving One Master. Here are a few of St. Francis de Sales’ thoughts on true friendship: For true friendship to come into and remain in existence it…

The conviction that the God of Jesus is a loving and merciful God is very powerful in today’s gospel, featuring no fewer than three parables to illustrate such conviction. Through the figures of a man leaving the 99 sheep to find the lost one, a women searching for a single…

In Todays gospel Jesus speaks about hating our loved ones, carrying our crosses and giving up everything, even our lives. He’s telling us to let nothing— not even very good things like family and love—get in the way o our willingness to follow him. Our first priority, in everything we…

The wedding banquet is a favourite image of Jesus to describe the kingdom of God. Humility is a key virtue that we need to be a part of it. In today’s Gospel, Jesus and his disciples have been invited to a Sabbath dinner. Observing how the invited guests were choosing…

The Woman in today’s gospel who anoints Jesus’ feet with her tears approaches Jesus burdened by her sins. She is a ‘prodigal daughter’ of sorts, a woman who is known in the town by her shame, but who by admitting her shame seeks forgiveness from Jesus. When it comes to…