The readings today reveal the power of the resurrection to transform hearts and equip disciples to proclaim the Good News. Like the first Apostles, we have an opportunity every day to draw strength from the Lord for the task at hand.
Peter and John show how the name of Jesus brings hope and life to a beggar. Following their example, we offer our lives today as a living witness to the power of God in the world.
Jesus speaks of his relationship to the Father and invites us to become his disciples by remaining in his word. What attacks this connection? Sin. Yet the closer we draw near to the Lord the clearer we see our need for God and the grace that Christ alone can offer us.
The parable of the landowner and the tenants offers sobering insights into how we live our faith. Everything we have is a gift on loan from God, and one day the Lord will come and claim it. How will we respond?
Moses and Jesus exhort the people to make a choice for God – choosing life (and eternal life) over death. Every day we make this choice as we seek to turn our lives ever closer to Jesus Christ, the source of all life.
St. Peter’s words “we have given up everything and followed you” can inspire us to consider how we offer our lives for the Lord. Recognizing that everything we have comes from God, we begin to see ourselves as stewards, not owners, who offer our lives for the glory of the one who made us.
It’s not complicated. Either we stand with the Lord or against him. No matter how difficult, how challenging, and however many times we fail…may we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.
An encounter with the Lord empowers two disciples of John the Baptist to go out and invite other people to meet Jesus. As we draw closer to Christ may we eagerly reach out to those around us with the joy of the Good News.
Msgr. Ed Meulemans was my pastor when I arrived at the Cathedral as a newly ordained priest in 1997. Over the years he has been a great friend and mentor, teaching me many lessons about discipleship and priesthood. May he rest in peace!
The reading from Philippians offers a powerful teaching about Jesus, who emptied and humbled himself for the salvation of our souls. As the Lord’s disciples we acknowledge that our journey to heaven will lead us along a similar path as we share our lives with one another.