Today’s Gospel: John 5, 31-47

In this Gospel passage, Jesus is speaking to the Jewish people, accusing them of not believing in Him. At first glance, we may feel that this passage does not apply to us. After all, we are Christian. By definition, we believe that Jesus is the Son of God. However, this Word of God still speaks to us today.

“You do not want to come to me to have life.” (Jn 5:40) Do we always turn to Jesus first? Do we truly believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, our only path to eternal happiness with God in heaven? Do we actually want to pick up our cross and follow Him or do we try to find an easier way out? Are we willing to accept the cost of being a disciple of Jesus? Do we turn to the things of this world to find comfort or do we put our trust in Jesus? Can someone tell we are Christian by the way we live our lives?

Thes­­e are difficult questions, but Christ pulls no punches. He is speaking to us as much as He was speaking to the Jews two thousand years ago.

Ponder:

Dear God, please help me to fully believe in Jesus and His message. Help me to live a fully Christian life.

Pray:

During this season of Lent, how can you deepen your belief that Jesus is the way to eternal life?

Copyright 2016 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur is a life-long Roman Catholic, homeschooling mom of two boys and an adopted young girl. The editor of Today’s Catholic Homeschooling, she is also the author of “The Catholic Baby Name Book” and “Letters to Mary from a Young Mother,” and has a Master’s Degree in Applied Theology. She blogs at http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for March 10, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: John 5, 17-30

Imitation, it is said, is the highest form of flattery. We have all seen children after sneaking into dad’s closet, coming out wearing dad’s clothes and shoes. “How cute!” we think. Fast forward 30 years. Dad has aged well, and son has aged quickly. That same son who played ‘dress up’ has now grown into a near – duplicate of dad. One day he attends a business meeting, acting as his father, only without his father’s knowledge. Critical decisions are made, without the father’s expertise or permission. We no longer think “how cute!” We see the inherent injustice in such deception.

When Jesus talked of God as Father, those who heard him put Him in the same category as the man above – deceptive at best, a blasphemer at worst. They did not understand Jesus is equal to the Father. So, he explained, “The Father loves His Son and shows Him everything that He Himself does.” (Jn 5:20) “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the One who sent me.” (Jn 5:30) Sadly, these words only served to infuriate those who heard them, because their hearts were closed. Ask for the grace to know the Father as Jesus does. Ask to know the love flowing between the Father and the Son – the Spirit. Like Jesus, ask for the grace to be able to sincerely say with Jesus, “I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

Ponder:

Do I sincerely want to know (and do) God’s will, even when it is inconvenient or difficult?

Pray:

Loving Father, Jesus reflected your love, your strength, your face. Please open my heart; let me come to know you and love you and do your will, as Jesus did. I seek to do that will. Amen.

Copyright 2016 Sister Mary Kansier, MS

Sister Mary is a Marian Sister of the Diocese of Lincoln (NE). When not at her primary apostolate as Director of Technology for the diocesan schools, she loves to read, walk, and spend time with her religious community. Her greatest dream is to someday go to Dijon, France, and visit the Carmel where Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity is interred.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for March 9, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: John 5, 1-16

The question that Jesus asked of the beggar by the pool seemed like an easy one with an obvious answer: ‘Do you want to be well?’ Yet, instead of responding with an immediate “YES” after being lame for thirty-eight years, the man offered up excuses for why he was still sitting there. Clearly, Jesus was asking the question to reveal a deeper truth about his circumstance. Jesus will often do the same with us when we are seeking healing. In the midst of our seemingly unanswered prayers when we are steeped in our own misery, woundedness and weakness, we can imagine that Jesus might gently inquire “Do you want to be well?” In doing so, He may be asking:
Do you want to change or are you willing to be changed by God’s grace? Will you move out of the comfort zone and routine of your current situation and risk or reach for something better?
If wellness means a lifestyle change, will you embrace the challenge of self-care; taking responsibility and exercising the good judgment and discipline that might be required to maintain it?
Are you willing to trust in God’s healing? Can you let go of your grudges, pain, or a sense of entitlement to your wounds?
Are you ready to relinquish the role of victim?
Jesus doesn’t just want to heal us on the surface, but He wants to go deeper to set us free from all that binds us. To do so, we need to cooperate with His grace and answer His questions in prayer at the heart level.

Ponder:

What is getting in the way of your healing?

Pray:

Holy Spirit, enlighten me and unburden my heart of all that keeps me from being completely well in mind body and soul. Amen.

Copyright 2016 Anne Costa

Anne Costa is a Catholic author, inspirational speaker and spiritual mentor. She is Michael’s wife and Mary Grace’s mom and active in promoting the teachings and spirituality of St. Edith Stein and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for March 8, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: John 4, 43-54

Today’s Gospel reminds us the power of faith. The man in today’s Gospel believed Jesus when he said “You may go; your son will live.” This man believed Jesus and left to return to his son. On his way back one of his slaves met him and told him not only did his son live; he began to recover exactly at the time Jesus told him his son would live. This man’s faith in Jesus gave life to his son and served as proof of who Jesus was.

When we open our hearts and allow our faith to grow, the sky is the limit. Through Jesus our lives can be transformed. Having faith doesn’t mean we will get everything we ask for. Having faith means trusting that God will guide us and do for us what is best for us. God has an amazing plan for each and every person he creates. We may not know what that plan is, and sometimes we may get lost, but God is steady. He loves us and guides us back to the path that leads us to Him.

Ponder:

Do I open my heart to allow my faith in God to grow?

Pray:

Father, please help my heart to be open to your will, increasing my faith, knowing you have a great plan for me.

Copyright 2016 Lorrie L. Dyer

In addition to writing for CatholicMom.com, Lorrie L. Dyer is the Catholic Religious Education Coordinator for her local base chapel and facilitates for the Virtual Learning Center for Faith Formation (VLCFF), University of Dayton. Lorrie also writes poetry and short stories. She is married with three children and lives on a Christmas tree farm (in the making) with her dog, three horses and miniature donkey.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for March 7, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 – Fourth Sunday of Lent

Today’s Gospel describes the parable of a man and his beloved sons. The two sons were equally distributed their inheritance and one set off alone to squander his fortune. Quickly realizing his mistake, he returned home and sought forgiveness from his father. The man’s brother, who had dutifully remained at home to assist his father, was consumed with anger. How could his father welcome his brother home after such blatant disregard for his gifts?
Jealousy often rears its ugly head in our lives. Comparison strips us of our joy, which should be grounded in the knowledge that God is forgiving, always. The man’s brother was blinded by his envy and misunderstanding.
The father’s joy at his son’s return is how God rejoices when we open our hearts to Him. Our “coming home” is a joyous occasion, marked by reconciliation and forgiveness. The father in the parable displays his unconditional love for his son, just as God does for us.
What an excellent example to set for both men!

Ponder:

Do you seek forgiveness or need to forgive someone? Reconcile with the Lord, He is waiting with loving arms!

Pray:

Lord, I trust in you. Help me to have an open and forgiving heart so that I may live your holy example for all of my life. Amen.

Copyright 2016 Karen T. Reep

My name is Karen Reep and I live in Kansas. I have been married nineteen years and have six children. I am a stay at home mom who loves to write, read, and run. I teach PSR to tenth grade girls in our parish. I blog at Raising The Reeps. I am also a columnist for Catholic Stand. I love my faith and strive to set an example for my children by living it out authentically.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for March 6, 2016 – Fourth Sunday of Lent appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 18, 9-14

This is a difficult Gospel to reflect on because it points the finger at all of us who try hard to do the right thing on a daily basis. Like the Pharisee, it can be all too easy for us to feel smug and superior. We can look around at others and think, “Well, I may have my (minor) faults, but at least I haven’t done (fill in the blank).”

This Gospel convicts us of the sin of pride, and many of us, myself included, are guilty as charged. God doesn’t want to hear a litany of the good things that we have done. Instead, He wants us to look honestly at our hearts, and see the areas where we need to improve.

How can we love God and neighbor more? We can start by not judging others. We can keep our eyes on our own paper and worry about all of our own faults and failings, including that sin of pride we seem to fall into so often. God wants us to be like the tax collector, truly sorry and begging for His mercy.

Ponder:

When was the last time you went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation? God is waiting to offer you pardon and peace. Look up the times the Sacrament is available and write it on your calendar. Make it a priority to go!

Pray:

Dear God, please help me be aware of the areas in my life where I need to improve. Please help me to love both You and my neighbor more each day.

Copyright 2016 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur is a life-long Roman Catholic, homeschooling mom of two teen boys and an adopted young girl. The editor of Today’s Catholic Homeschooling, she is also the author of “The Catholic Baby Name Book” and “Letters to Mary from a Young Mother,” and has a Master’s Degree in Applied Theology. She blogs at spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for March 5, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Mark 12, 28-34

At my first reading of this Gospel, it struck me funny that the scribe was affirming Jesus’ answer on His own commandment; little does this fellow really know who he is talking to! But then I got to thinking; it had been a long, hard road for Jesus to get through to His twelve disciples’ thick heads, at times, much of His teachings due to their free will. So for this scribe to have such a clear, open-hearted, and firm understanding of the commandments, no wonder Jesus was very pleased! This scribe not only believed these two great commandments to be of God, he also knew how they basically rendered burnt offerings and sacrifices as base! Clearly this fellow knew and accepted this new way of thinking and proved that without a doubt to Jesus in his own words.

The kingdom of God is close at hand for this man and it can be for us as well. However, free will and self-comfort are easier to appease than reaching out past our noses; but if we open our minds and truly acknowledge that God is the one and only God to believe in, and that loving our neighbor as ourselves is the way we should live, plain and simple, the kingdom of God will be in our grasp as well.

Ponder:

The scribe was very confident in his understanding of the teaching. Is there a teaching that you feel confident about? How hard are Christ’s teachings to apply to daily life?

Pray:

Dear Jesus, please open our hearts to your teachings, help us to put you first in everything that we do throughout the day. Also, we pray that our love for you will shine through to everyone that we meet. Amen

Copyright 2016 Elizabeth Weidner

Elizabeth “Ebeth” Weidner is a Master Catechist writing for CatholicMom for the past 6 years, along with a number of other online and printed resources. A former Catholic homeschooling mom, she and her scientist husband have three amazing young adults that call them mom and dad! She writes on her blog, A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for March 4, 2016 – Day of Abstinence appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 11, 14-23

In this Gospel reading, Jesus drives a demon from a man and immediately, people within the crowd link the exorcism with false reason and purpose. They go so far as to attribute the healing to a demon! Jesus, using his usual calm, patient and loving candor and logic, explains that a house or kingdom divided against itself will fail, therefore, He could not have expelled a demon by the power of another demon. What purpose would that have served within the demon world? He explains that the healing was done “by the finger of God” and ends with the exhortation: “Whoever is not with me is against me and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” That’s a lot to consider.

Isn’t Jesus’ logic and forthrightness always amazing? That’s because His words are Truth! This explains why few others can be as totally convincing as Jesus when arguing against untruth. After all, Jesus is completely and utterly divinely inspired. But, even his human dimension is perfectly brilliant as well.

Another take away from this reading is that we need to study Jesus’ responses and use them when facing those who advocate falsehood. Not that any of us will be exorcising demons, but we are going to have to answer detractors who insist that God doesn’t have anything to do with today’s problems and solutions.

Jesus also warns of the consequences of division which will occur when we are not being obedient to the Will of God. A stronger one will plunder and scatter us. Who is this stronger person? It seems that Jesus is referring to himself in one sense and our enemy in another.  John the Baptist declares that Jesus “is mightier than I.” [Luke 3:16]. If we yoke ourselves to Jesus, the stronger, we will be protected from evil! But if we refuse to yoke ourselves to Jesus, we will lose everything. The consequences of trusting in ourselves — rather than in God – are severe. We will be overtaken, our possessions will be plundered, our house will fall and we will face division.  At the end, Jesus simply states it like it is: if we are not with him, we are against him. And whoever does not gather with Jesus will scatter.

This is his invitation to us. This is our call to evangelize others about our Faith. He is calling us to love as he loves. He is calling us to give witness to Hope and Truth. It is our call to become an active participant in God’s plan for salvation. And if we decide not to do anything for him, we will be acting against him. We will scatter rather than gather. Others will probably lose out on the opportunity to know, love and serve God because we helped scatter them.

Ponder:

Do others know whether you are for or against God? How do they know this? Why is division so harmful — whether it be in the Church, our families, communities or larger society? What and how do I scatter? What and how do I gather?

Pray:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

Copyright 2016 Linda Kracht

Fortifying Families of Faith –  www.fortifyingfamiliesoffaith.com

http://fortifyingfamiliesoffaith.blogspot.com

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for March 3, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 5, 17-19

In light of this reading, how can it be that the faithful followers of Jesus do not still follow all 613 of the Mosaic laws? I am pretty sure that the Canadian bacon on my breakfast sandwich was not in keeping with the Mosaic prohibition against pork. How can we reconcile the two?

The word “fulfill” can be defined in two ways: 1) as in filling a role, or 2) as in completing something. In the Gospel today, the word “fulfill” meets both of these definitions in the person of Jesus. Not only will he fulfill the role of the perfect sacrifice for our sins to satisfy the Law, but he completes the prophecies by healing the sick and forgiving our sins, and ultimately by rising from the dead. But this reading covers more than Jesus’ earthly life.

When Jesus comes to us in the Sacraments, he fulfills those things in us as well.  Through our Baptism and Confirmation, we are called to become Jesus’ hands and feet in the world. As Christians, we are called to be “little Christs” – to become perfected as we grow closer to Jesus through frequent reception of the Eucharist. When we take Jesus into our bodies in Communion, we participate in that completion as he fills up all that is lacking in us and makes us fit to serve.

So, it’s true, the Law and the Prophets have not passed away. Jesus makes sure that they live on in us as we actively participate in the sacramental life of the church as members of his body. The challenge is to live that fulfillment through a life of love, sacrifice, and service as he did.

Ponder:

Lord Jesus, help me to be a part of the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Show me how to love as you would love, how to sacrifice as you would sacrifice, and how to serve as you would serve. Amen.

Pray:

How can I be Jesus’ hands and feet in the world today?

 Copyright 2016 Katie O’Keefe

Katie O’Keefe, mother of two and Oma to two more, is a great fan of nifty new tools and dusty old books. Katie is a recent graduate of Ohio Dominican University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and plans to pursue further study in that field.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for March 2, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.