With a simple phrase Jesus heals both body and soul, revealing not only his power to save but also our need to receive his mercy with an open mind and heart.
They are two of the brightest lights in the communion of Saints, yet these very sinful, fallible men can inspire us to follow their example as we turn away from our past sins and embrace a future guided by the grace of Jesus Christ.
As Jesus calms the storm – and the disciples fears – we recognize our need to call up on the Lord for those times when we are caught up in terror, anxiety and fear.
Matthew’s Gospel echoes the reading we heard from Luke yesterday, underscoring the point that as his disciples we place Jesus at the center of our lives.
It’s one thing to say “I follow Jesus” and other thing to actually do it. May Luke’s Gospel inspire us to trust the Lord as we put our faith into practice.
The feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary offers us an opportunity to reflect on the extreme range of emotions she encountered, particularly sorrow. The Blessed Mother had many experiences to ponder in her heart; may her intercession lead us to the Cross of her Son.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus beats with a shepherd’s love. For while we were still sinners, Christ died for us; and like the shepherd who leaves the 99 other sheep, the Lord looks for us when we stray.
The birth of John the Baptist reveals a pattern in his relationship to Jesus. John comes first to prepare the way for the greater glory that shines upon Christ. May John’s example inspire us to continue to blaze a trail for the proclamation of the Good News in our lives today.
The Lord offers us (once again!) practical spiritual wisdom to guide our interactions with one another. But to use this wisdom we have to ask ourselves one question: What’s growing in our hearts?