Jesus asks His disciples to have total dedication to following Him.  As an example, He tells us that to be worthy we must love Him more than we love our parents or children.  If we see someone in our family stray from the faith, we try to bring them back by our prayers, example, and encouragement.  Jesus then gives examples of three kinds of disciples.

First are the prophets. These are people who have lived the faith and are able to teach others the wisdom they have learned.

Second, are the righteous, those whose quiet lives teach by example.  Many good parents practice this type of discipleship.  Children may not listen to their parents’ advice, but still grow up with memories of how they lived.

Finally, there are the “little ones.”  These, like children, follow Jesus with great joy and love. They may be elderly or disabled.  When we respect and cherish them, we are able to see Jesus in them.  And anytime we can experience Jesus through another person is a wonderful reward for a disciple.

Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070223.cfm

“Fear no one,” Jesus says. He is talking about fearing those who persecute you for your faith.

In the verses before this Gospel passage, he tries to prepare us for that persecution and says that since it was done to him (Jesus), it would be done to his followers.  But he triumphed over his persecutors; they could not stop him.  And that is what he promises us.  We cannot be destroyed as long as we keep that faith.

Now the best way to keep that faith is to give it away.

That sounds like a paradox, but it means that when we spread the faith, our faith grows, too.  And when we allow others to share their faith with us, we are encouraged and supported.

Sometimes we may hesitate to talk about our faith.

That is the only thing to fear: not Satan’s power, but our weakness.

That’s why Jesus said whoever denies him will be denied by him.  Yet Jesus died for our sins, so even they cannot destroy us if we turn back to the Lord.  So thank him for his forgiveness, but don’t forget to spread the news that you are forgiven. You might give someone else the courage to come back to the Lord, and so score another victory for faith over fear.

Tom Schmidt – Diocesan Publications

Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus,

“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.

Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As you go, make this proclamation:  The Kingdom of Heaven is a Hand.

Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Readings: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Jesus’ life was consumed to save the world.

His life brought us eternal life.

He offers us an opportunity to participate in His life and our future together.

He did not leave us an idea, but rather the reality of His becoming part of us, and our becoming part of Him.

The Eucharist is our most intimate connection with our God.

What could possibly be a better offer for our lives and future?

Readings:  Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ | USCCB

By any standard a difficult message.

The wisdom of God is beyond our ability to comprehend.

It is love that heals and keeps us as children of the Father.

Are you ready to walk the road to perfection?

Readings: Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

The commandments are meant to help us survive.

Yet, Jesus set an additional higher standard based on love.

We must be clear in our commitments to what He taught.

Will we say yes?

Readings: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Do not hide your light.

Let your good deeds give glory to your heavenly Father.

You can be the light and salt that encourages others.

Readings:  Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

“Love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.

The second is like it:
You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

February 1st is the Feast Day of Saint Brigid of Kildare, Ireland.  (452 – 525)  We celebrate this special day within our Sunday Mass liturgies this year.   The prayers, scriptures, and hymns will be those of the Feast rather than the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020523.cfm

Jesus is the light to the nations and one who will initiate God’s coming Kingdom.

He does not speak of a place.

We should think of the kingdom as the reign of God, when His power is fully manifest for ALL to see.

“Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.

Such is the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012223.cfm

After being baptized by John, Jesus comes forth to begin His special mission to mankind.

Jesus is confirmed by the Spirit of God as the “designated one.” He is the chosen one to save God’s people.

Jesus made a public presentation of His ministry to portray His humanity and divine mission.

Jesus is real. He is one of us. He comes to us in his humanity. He stands before us and calls to us to come to Him and share in His ministry – to advance the kingdom of God in this world.

Are we, once again, ready to respond?

Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011523.cfm

Jesus warns His followers of coming destruction, chaos, and persecution.

But He also adds that He will guide the faithful through the turbulence.

Faith in Him will save our lives, and it will merit us a place in heaven.

Do you trust completely in the Lord in times of fear and uncertainty?

Readings: Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Zacchaeus had a burning desire to know Jesus,  realized the obstacles before him, and went to extremes to eliminate them.

Jesus knew Zacchaeus’s heart and drew Him closer.

Zacchaeus experienced an immediate surrender to Christ.

What do we need to change in our lives to see and overcome our obstacles and deepen our relationship with Christ?

Readings: Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Jesus wants us to focus on doing what is right, to focus on God.
Pray with a heart of meekness, not with pride or a sense of superiority.
God is not in a game of ranking or positioning.
When He judges us, will we have given Him a life of service and a posture of utter humility?

Readings: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Give glory to God.

He heals us and is present among us.

Be thankful for all we have been given.

Have faith in Jesus’ message.

Is our faith strong enough to recognize Jesus’ saving action in our lives?

Readings: Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Jesus teaches us about the commitment necessary to be His disciples.

Halfhearted attempts will not suffice.

We must put off our priorities and put God’s requirements of us first.

It is so easy to say,  “I will get to it later.”

There are so many important things for us to do.

Have we really done what we are obliged to do?

Readings:  Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

We can easily be lulled into lukewarm complacency regarding our faith.

Our guidance from Jesus is to serve Him and our neighbors.

We may find that our lack of charity results in consequences for our future.

To avoid this great reversal, we must ask ourselves:  “Have I been living the mission I have been given?”

“Am I attuned to the needs of those around me?”

“Am I willing to make the sacrifices necessary to care for others in need?”

Readings:  Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Handle the affairs of temporal life with an eye toward eternal life.

Trustworthiness is an important virtue, in the handling of all things.

Those who can be trusted in small things can also be trusted in great things.

Jesus teaches that His laws must always come first.

Putting anything above Him, but especially wealth will put us in conflict with ourselves.

This, we cannot resolve. Can we resist the temptation to try to “have it all”?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091822.cfm

There is always an opportunity in life for forgiveness and redemption.

No matter what one has done, Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is always available for forgiveness.

There is always hope.

When we turn to Jesus, He will run to greet us.

We are truly important to Him and He will not let us down.

Jesus is, indeed, out looking for us, calling to us.

Can you hear Him?

Readings: Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Jesus gives us strong words to emphasize the high cost of being a disciple.

He uses metaphors to show us that the cost is even greater than loyalty to family and even all of your possessions.

Nothing can be allowed to distract you from the essential reality of Jesus calling you to the conversion of heart and discipleship.

Keep what you are doing in perspective. Love and care for your family and love God above all else.

We are encouraged to weigh carefully the dangers of making the wrong choice about who or what we really want to follow.

How much are we willing to sacrifice to be his disciples?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090422.cfm

Jesus teaches us about keeping our self-image properly focused.

Declaring ourselves at a level of importance beyond our real level can lead to problems.

Assuming that we are “better than” someone else may lead to a correction of place by others.

It is especially important that we walk humbly before our God for it is He who positions us in His Kingdom. Treat others as He has willed.

Be especially attentive to those who have less and can only do less. Do we have our priorities straight?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082822.cfm

Jesus warns His followers not to think they can do the minimum and enter heaven.

They need to strive to discern their God-given mission, then they must pursue it.

Reception of the Eucharist at Mass may be a passive following, if not accompanied by an aggressive attempt to live the gospel and build His kingdom.

Strength and persistence are necessary to pass through the narrow gate.

Are you committed to taking the difficult path that is required, passing the comfortable, secure, familiar one?

Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082122.cfm

Jesus speaks with passion and intensity about His mission.

His mission was not to smooth over or tolerate compromise between God’s will and the preference of individuals.

Nor was it to accept indifference or a lukewarm attitude in His followers.

His mission was to challenge complacency and creature comforts.

People must make a choice between what they want and what God wants.

Jesus offered His life for His mission in the baptism of fire that was His crucifixion.

Are you willing to make the sacrifices to ignite a passion for your mission?

Readings:  Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Jesus encourages us to follow Him in faith and our relationship with others.

It is so easy to get caught up in things that keep us from our obligations to our God and to each other.

His promises must always be kept before us, so as to never forget that our salvation is at hand.

We prepare for His coming by always being good stewards of all He has given us, in wealth and talent.

What are we responsible for?  Are we paying attention?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080722.cfm

Jesus warns us not to believe that all that we have is necessarily what we need.

If greed is the motive to possess we may be disappointed.

We may be called at any time and wealth should not be our main achievement.

Our wealth means nothing to God.  Fidelity to Him is all that counts.

Is anything holding you back from God?

Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/073122.cfm

You will find the mercy of God.

Persistence in prayer is important for you to organize your life and your behavior.

God hears our pleas for help and support.

He will not deny us what is best for us.

Have you prayed the “Our Father” today?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072422.cfm

And Mary has chosen the better part … to listen to the Lord speak.

Martha is at work, too, but in haste and angst.

The life of faith requires balance.  A balance between contemplation and action.

Our readings this week speak of the need for hospitality and yet the need to also listen to the visitors in our lives.  Indeed, not to miss an encounter with God in our lives.

Do you sometimes miss an encounter with God because you are doing or thinking something else?

Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071722.cfm

Jesus teaches us about the primacy of mercy.

The written law is not sufficient if it does not touch men’s hearts.

Our neighbor is anyone we encounter who is in need.

Sometimes mercy requires that we go beyond our normal path.

Can you think of who needs mercy among those around you?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071022.cfm

Jesus sends the 72 disciples to spread His word.

He sends them to heal the sick and proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God.

We, too, are sent forward to also proclaim the Kingdom and to do what we can to heal a sick world.

There is much opposition to this mission, but we are given His protection to go forward without fear.

Can we trust that He is with us?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070322.cfm

Jesus emphasizes the importance of proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Disciples must put this proclamation as the first thing in their lives because of its importance.

Nothing else in life should come before the mission of a disciple.

Jesus understands the importance of other aspects of our lives as part of our mission.  But He also tells us not to let those things overwhelm the core of our mission.

Do you know the total mission you have, and how to fulfill it?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062622.cfm