Today’s Gospel invites us to reflect once again on the Holy Spirit. Jn 14:15–21 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither […]
The Spirit of Truth Read More »
Now that we have considered the calling of a true shepherd—and St. Peter and his successors in particular—on three separate occasions, this text on the Holy Spirit fits in very well! Acts 16:1-10 From there he went to Derbe, and then on to Lystra, where there was a disciple called Timothy, whose mother was Jewish
The true leader of the Mission Read More »
Today we take one last look at the calling of Saint Peter, after having considered yesterday some of the qualities necessary for fulfilling such a high office. We have had outstanding popes in the succession of Saint Peter, but also some who scarcely possessed the inner qualities necessary for the fruitfulness of the office. Yet
The ministry of Peter as a sign of unity Read More »
Regarding the Petrine office, we emphasized yesterday that when Jesus called Peter to his ministry of shepherding the sheep, He asked him about his love and then entrusted him with the task of feeding them (John 21:15–19). We further considered that the Pope’s ministry consists, in particular, in authentically transmitting Christ’s teaching through the centuries
“The qualities of a true shepherd” Read More »
Acts 14:19-28 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and turned the people against them. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the town, thinking he was dead. The disciples came crowding round him but, as they did so, he stood up and went back to the town. The next day he and Barnabas
We must all experience many hardships before we enter the Kingdom of God Read More »
During the rich period between the Lord’s Resurrection, His Ascension, and the descent of the Holy Spirit, let us turn our attention more fully to the theme of the Church. Surely the Lord prepared His disciples even more intensely for what was to come, initiated them into His plans as far as they were able
NOTE: Today we will reflect on the Gospel according to the traditional calendar. Jn 16:5-14 Now I am going to the one who sent me. Not one of you asks, ‘Where are you going?’ Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this. Still, I am telling you the truth: it is
It is for your own good that I am going Read More »
Acts 13:44-52 The next Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of God. When they saw the crowds, the Jews, filled with jealousy, used blasphemies to contradict everything Paul said. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out fearlessly. ‘We had to proclaim the word of God to you first, but since you have
NOTE: Due to current circumstances, I will be drawing on speeches I have given over the past few years in the coming days. However, as we will see, this topic fits seamlessly into our reflections on the Church’s mission, as Saint Paul repeatedly proclaims the Gospel message first to the Jews in the synagogues and
God’s plan stands firm for ever Read More »
Today we want to look at how the Apostle Paul—even before those who had come to believe in the Messiah were excluded—presented God’s work to the Jews in the synagogue at Antioch in order to lead them to Jesus. Acts 13:13-25 Paul and his companions went by sea from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia where
The worth of the Holy Tradition Read More »
