For the introduction to this series, click here or scroll down to January 1st.
June 8, 2023
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
Jesus is the answer to all our questions. When we want to understand, we need to come to him. He will not only give us the right answer but he will lead us to understand the Love that he is.
June 7, 2023
“And to God what belongs to God.”
Jesus is the Living One. He makes all who come to him fully alive if they believe in the words and power of God.
June 6, 2023
“And to God what belongs to God.”
Jesus knows everything. We can not fool him with our words nor our deeds. Instead we need to give him everything because everything belongs to him.
June 5, 2023
He had one other to send, a beloved son.
Jesus is the Heir. We do not need to cast him out of the vineyard in order to receive the inheritance because he wants to share everything with us.
June 4, 2023
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Jesus is not here to condemn us but to do the will of his Father and bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit on us.
June 3, 2023
Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question.
Jesus is the one who questions us. Although he knows all the answers, he wants us to think and so come to know who we are and who he is.
June 2, 2023
Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.
Jesus is powerful. He can drive out evil but he can also transform evil into good. We should have faith in his power to heal, forgive and restore.
June 1, 2023
“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus is the Son of David. As one of us, he can have compassion on our infirmities and our sins.
May 31, 2023
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Jesus brings joy. And anyone who is associated with Jesus also brings joy. That is why Mary also brings joy. She brings Jesus.
May 30, 2023
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
Jesus is generous. Whatever we give him, he transforms it into more. He wants us to have an abundance of all good gifts.
May 29, 2023
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”
Jesus is someone who gives us everything. He gives us his life so that we can become part of his family: children of his Father and children of Mary, his mother.
May 28, 2023
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus is the one who gives us the Holy Spirit. Just as he breathed the Holy Spirit on the apostles, he gives us the Holy Spirit whenever we ask him.
May 27, 2023
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”
Jesus is the one who we should follow. He wants each of us to follow him and not to worry about whether anyone else is following him.
May 26, 2023
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Jesus is Patience. He stays with us during our sins and failures and then gives us a new chance to love and serve him.
May 25, 2023
“I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one.”
Jesus is our intercessor. He prays that all who believe in him will be united. And he sends us the Holy Spirit so that we can fulfill his will for unity.
May 24, 2023
And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Jesus is Truth. He is the Word is God which is truth. Just as he devotes himself entirely to us, he wants us to be entirely devoted to the truth which he has revealed to be himself.
May 23, 2023
“Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.”
Jesus is Glory. He is glory because he is Heaven, he is the praise of the Father, he is Eternal Life.
May 22, 2023
“I have conquered the world.”
Jesus is the conqueror of the world. And how does he conquer the world? By coming into the world for our salvation.
May 21, 2023
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” “Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.”
Jesus is the one who has all power and authority. This is good news because he is the one who knows how to do good things with them.
May 20, 2023
“For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God.”
Jesus is the Bridge between us and the Father. The Father loves us and when we love Jesus this love opens up a pathway to the Father’s love.
May 19, 2023
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
Jesus is Salvation. His name even means salvation. When we ask is his name, we are asking for all that is good.
May 18, 2023
“But your grief will become joy.” “Make disciples of all nations.”
Jesus is Transforming Love. He can take anything we bring him and transform it. He turns sadness into joy and us into disciples.
May 17, 2023
“Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”
Jesus is someone who shares—not just some things but everything. He shares in all things both divine and human. And he raises us up so that we can also share divine things.
May 16, 2023
“Now I am going to the one who sent me”
Jesus is sent for a mission. When his mission is complete, he returns to his Father. But he does not abandon us.
May 15, 2023
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.”
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit from the Father. He is united to them and wants us to be united to the life of the Trinity.
May 14, 2023
“In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live.”
Jesus is the Living One. Death could not hold him. He is our Life.
May 13, 2023
“If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”
Jesus identifies himself with us so that we can identify ourselves with him. He came to live our life and now we can live his life.
May 12, 2023
“You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
Jesus is your friend. How can he be your friend? Friends share interests and goals. We now share with Jesus his mission of love for the glory of his Father.
May 11, 2023
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.”
Jesus is Love. He is one hundred percent love. He can’t love partially only totally. Think about what this means: Jesus loves you just like his Father loves him. Amazing!
May 10, 2023
“I am the vine, you are the branches.”
Jesus is the True Vine. If we try to attach ourselves to things that are not the True Vine, we will not be nourished or growing. When we are attached to Jesus, we can produce fruit.
May 9, 2023
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”
Jesus is the Giver of Peace. Even when we do not see him, he wants us to experience the deep peace of knowing that he will come back for us.
May 8, 2023
“Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.”
Jesus is the Lawgiver. And what is his law? It’s love.
May 7, 2023
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”
Jesus is someone who wants all of us to be with him. He has done everything in order that we may live with him forever.
May 6, 2023
“If you know me, then you will also know my Father.”
Jesus is someone we can know. How do we get to know him? By thinking about his words and remembering all of the things he did during his life. Then we can speak to him as we would speak to a good friend.
May 5, 2023
If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
Jesus is our Host and not only in the Eucharistic way. He is preparing a place and a welcome for us in his Father’s house.
May 4, 2023
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Jesus is someone who is so closely related to the Father and to us that he can say when we receive his messenger, we receive him and when we receive him, we receive his Father. Because he is both God and man, he is a bridge that draws us back together with our Father.
May 3, 2023
Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“
Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. This means that he is everything that we need. If we know where to go, what to believe, and how to truly live, then we have all that we need to come to the Father.
May 2, 2023
The Father and I are one.
Jesus is one with the Father. What does this mean? Christians have been pondering this mystery for 2000 years. They are one in divinity, in will, and in love. We can participate in their unity by uniting ourselves to Jesus through the help of the Holy Spirit.
May 1, 2023
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Jesus does not work for pay but for love. He can have concern for each of us because he is not looking to receive something but to give something—his life for ours.
April 30, 2023
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who keeps all his sheep safely together. He is also the gate through which we enter into this community of his followers.
April 29, 2023
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus is the Holy One of God. He is the only one who can sanctify us in truth by his words and his life.
April 28, 2023
Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.
Jesus is our Life. The Father has shared everything with him and he has shared everything with us including the gift of life both now and forever.
April 27, 2023
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.
Jesus is the one who has seen the Father. Because the Father and Jesus are united, the Father draws us to Jesus and Jesus shows us the Father.
April 26, 2023
Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me.
Jesus is someone who welcomes everyone who comes to him. He desires to give life to us even though this means that he will give up his own life.
April 25, 2023
But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Jesus is our fellow worker. He calls us to work to spread the Gospel but he doesn’t make us do this work alone. He accompanies us and gives us all that we need to share the Good News with every creature.
April 24, 2023
Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks.
Jesus is grateful. He gives thanks to his Father for all that he is and all that he has received. Being grateful is now made easier for us through the gift of the Eucharist which means thanksgiving. We now share in the thanksgiving of Jesus himself.
April 23, 2023
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.
Jesus is the explanation of the Scriptures and the reason for them. Without a real encounter with Jesus, the Scriptures do not make sense. With Jesus, they become living and effective.
April 22, 2023
They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.
Jesus is our destination. When we have him with us, we are where we want to be.
April 21, 2023
So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
Jesus can transform all this things. Today he transforms a little into a lot, the disciples into servants and the hungry into the satisfied. He can take whatever we have, whatever we are and even whatever we lack and turn it into something miraculous.
April 20, 2023
“But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard.”
Jesus is the one who can tell us about Heaven. He has seen and heard everything about Eternal Life and has been sent by his Father to guide us home.
April 19, 2023
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
Jesus is the light that lights up the dark and broken places in order to heal them. If we come toward Jesus, his light shows us what to change and how to change it.
April 18, 2023
“If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.”
Jesus is the one who can tell us about Heavenly things. He came from God and existed always in the presence of his Heavenly Father. Therefore his words are “Spirit and life” and guide us to our Heavenly home.
April 17, 2023
“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Jesus is the one who is from above. Yet he reaches down in mercy to our littleness and gives us new birth through the Holy Spirit. We must now seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Jesus lives now to make intercession for us. This should be a great source of hope for us.
April 16, 2023 Divine Mercy Sunday
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Jesus is Mercy. Jesus shows mercy to his disciples by trusting them with his mission even after they abandoned him on Good Friday. He dispels all their fear with his Peace by giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit. He not only forgives their sins but now gives them the power to forgive the sins of others. Jesus wants them to become the Mercy of God in the world.
April 15, 2023 Easter Saturday
He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Jesus is a mission giver. He now wants us to carry on his Father’s work which is the salvation of the whole world. We must proclaim the good news that Jesus has risen and is alive to everything and everyone in the world even to the inanimate world. We preach the Gospel by our lives which should show forth the very person of Jesus.
April 14, 2023 Easter Friday
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
Jesus is a wonderful provider. Not only did he show the disciples how to make a great catch of fish, he has prepared breakfast for them before they even arrive on shore. He shows us what to do, helps us to do it, provides everything that we need from the beginning to the end.
April 13, 2023 Easter Thursday
He stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Jesus is our peace. When our lives seem very troubled, we should fix our eyes on Jesus who says to us as he said to the disciples, “Peace be with you.” This peace is a Heavenly peace that is the very life of the Trinity. Once we receive the peace of Jesus, we can give it to everyone we meet.
April 12, 2023 Easter Wednesday
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
Jesus is the unrecognized one. We go about our lives paying attention to our own thought and ideas. Meanwhile Jesus, our hope, walks by our side.
April 11, 2023 Easter Tuesday
She thought it was the gardener.
Jesus is the Gardener. Mary Magdalene is not entirely mistaken. Jesus created this world, redeemed it and watches over it with care. He wants to walk with us in this new and eternal garden.
April 10, 2023 Easter Monday
“Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Jesus is our Brother. He has experienced our life and our death and is now able to guide us to Eternal Life.
April 9, 2023 Easter Sunday
If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Jesus is the one seated at the right hand of God. If you lift your thoughts up to him, then you too will appear with him in glory.
April 8, 2023 Holy Saturday
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.
Jesus is the Risen One. Alleluia!
April 7, 2023 Good Friday
Because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
April 6, 2023 Holy Thursday
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
Jesus loves to the end. He takes the dirt of our sins upon himself. In exchange for our sins, he gives us his Body and Blood. He does not keep anything for himself.
April 5, 2023
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Jesus is the one who is betrayed. Yet he is always faithful.
April 4, 2023
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.”
Jesus is glorified. His Father has raised him up as someone worthy of all honor and praise.
April 3, 2023
Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany.
Jesus is a friend. He is the best friend because although he knows our hearts he still loves us.
April 2, 2023
And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
Jesus is our King. He is a King who serves his people by giving them his life.
April 1, 2023
But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
Jesus is the one who dies for the people. Even for the people who plot his death.
March 31, 2023
If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
Jesus is consecrated and sent into the world so that we could see the Father and return to him.
March 30, 2023
Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.”
Jesus is existence. When he says “I am”, he is saying that he is the source of all that is. Without him, we truly have nothing.
March 29, 2023
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus is our liberator. If we choose to remain in his word, then we will be truly free.
March 28, 2023
“I belong to what is above.”
Jesus belongs to what is above. He came down to us but he is lifted up so that we can all see who he is.
March 27, 2023
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
Jesus writes secret words in the shifting sands of our hearts that only we can read. He wants to forgive us not condemn us.
March 26, 2023
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, the Christ and our Teacher. But he is also someone who loves and who weeps.
March 25, 2023
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Mary. As one of us, he understands our weakness. As God, he has the power to help us.
March 24, 2023
“But we know where he is from.”
Jesus is the one sent by God. But we often do not recognize him because we think we know everything about him.
March 23, 2023
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.
Jesus is the one we must believe in. To help us believe we have the testimony of our Father, the works Jesus performed, the Scriptures and holy people like Moses and John the Baptist.
March 22, 2023
For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself.
Jesus is the possessor of life. If something is mine, I can give it to anyone I choose. Jesus can give life because all life is his.
March 21, 2023
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”
Jesus is compassionate. When he sees a man who has suffered a long time, he cures him even though this man will be ungrateful and unfaithful.
March 20, 2023
He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.
Jesus is obedient. He is always docile to the Holy Spirit as he does the will of his Father.
March 19, 2023
“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
In today’s wonderful Gospel, Jesus is a worker, the Light of the World, a prophet, the Son of Man, and the giver of sight. But some people call him a sinner and he is also a cause of division. Who is Jesus?
March 18, 2023
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
Jesus is the one who came down the lowest in humility and therefore he has risen up the highest. If we want to find him we have to be like him.
March 17, 2023
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
Jesus is the answer to all of our questions. We seek to know and to love and he is Truth and Love.
March 16, 2023
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.
Jesus is the strongest man. He calls us to be with him and to work with him so that we will enjoy the riches of the Kingdom.
March 15, 2023
“But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven because he obeyed and taught the commandments perfectly.
March 14, 2023
Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.
Jesus is merciful and just. He wants to give us what we give to others: mercy if we are merciful, justice if we demand “our due” from others.
March 13, 2023
Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.”
Jesus is a prophet who is not accepted in his native home town. His home is now our hearts. Does he feel welcomed or rejected there?
March 12, 2023
Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one speaking with you.”
In today’s fascinating Gospel, Jesus is the Source of Living Water, the Messiah, and the Savior of the World. His mission is to announce the Kingdom, save us so that we can be part of it, and then make us into springs of water welling up to Eternal Life.
March 11, 2023
“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.”
Jesus goes out to meet sinners whether they have squandered all his gifts or whether they are envious of his generosity.
March 10, 2023
“This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.”
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Jesus is the heir. Everything the Father has belongs to the heir. But he has decided to share it all with us.
Jesus is also the cornerstone. All of our building should be done on him.
March 9, 2023
“If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.”
Jesus is someone who has risen from the dead. Are you persuaded to change your life?
March 8, 2023
“Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus is our ransom. He truly served us by his life, death and Resurrection. He freed us from our sins and brought us back into friendship with our Father.
March 7, 2023
“The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jesus is the one who humbles himself. Have you ever considered how much he humbled himself? He became a man, he was counted as a sinner, he suffered a cruel death and all in order to beg his sinful creatures to love him so that they would be happy.
March 6, 2023
“For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
Jesus is the Mercy of the Father. He forgives and gives generously. His measure is without measure. Our measure should be the same as his.
March 5, 2023
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Jesus is the beloved Son of God and also the suffering Son of Man. He suffers because of his love for us and the Father is well pleased with this sacrifice.
March 4, 2023
“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Jesus is perfect because he is the perfect image of his Father. He loves his enemies and prays for them. He loves all of us even when we persecute him.
March 3, 2023
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus is not only the door (March 2nd), he is also the Kingdom that we are entering. And how do we enter? Not by relying on our self-righteousness but by allowing him to transform our whole life into holiness.
March 2, 2023
Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Jesus is the door. Jesus gives us access to the Father. We have confidence to ask, see and knock because this door is always open to us.
March 1, 2023
At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.
Jesus is the Wisdom of God. The Wisdom of God is different than worldly wisdom. It is a generous outpouring of love on the undeserving. If this seems like foolishness to us, we are in danger of failing to see the sign that Jesus gives: the sign of his own life of self-sacrificing service on behalf of sinners.
February 28, 2023
“This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Jesus is the fulfillment of all the petitions of the Our Father. Jesus gives glory to the Father’s name by his life, The Kingdom has now come because of the birth of Jesus, he totally fulfills the will of the Father by giving his life for us, he gives us the bread which is himself, he forgives us our sins, he perfectly forgives his enemies even those who are killing him, he leads us by right ways and delivers us from all evil. The prayer of the Our Father should so transform our lives that the Father can use us to answer the petitions of our own prayer.
February 27, 2023
And the king will say to them in reply, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Jesus is a king but he is also every poor person. Because he is a king, he can so closely identify with his brothers that he regards everything done to them as done to him. Jesus wants us to realize that it is no longer we who live but he who lives in us. So now the way we treat others is the way we treat Jesus.
February 26, 2023
The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.
Jesus is someone who can not be turned away from his mission. Nothing can make him look away from his Father. If we want to be like Jesus, we will not allow ourselves to be tempted by things that appear good but are not our Father’s will.
February 25, 2023
“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus is the one who eats with sinners. This is really good news since we are all sinners! We might expect Jesus to avoid us because of our sins. Instead, he took on our flesh, lived our life, carried our sins, and died our death. And because he accepted our weakness, we will be able to receive his strength and rise from the dead with him.
February 24, 2023
“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?”
Jesus is the one who brings joy to our lives. Whether we are feasting or fasting, every day should be a celebration because we know that Jesus is with us.
February 23, 2023
“The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected.”
Jesus is someone who has suffered rejection. He brought the great gift of himself to us and by our sins, we reject him. But Jesus does not become bitter or unforgiving. He is always giving us a chance to repent and give him our lives.
February 22, 2023
“And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Jesus is a hidden God. He is there in unexpected places like the stable and the Cross. He is also hidden in our good works, our prayer and our sacrifices.
February 21, 2023
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.”
Jesus is someone who identifies himself with a child. What is it about children that makes them like Jesus? Children do not have any power and have to rely totally on their parents. When Jesus became man, he set aside his power and relied only on his Father.
February 20, 2023
“This kind can only come out through prayer.”
Jesus is our only hope because he is the only one who lives constantly in relationship to his Father which is prayer. From this relationship, he can drive out all evil and replace it with healing.
February 19, 2023
“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Jesus is perfect Love. He did not offer any resistance to those who wished to kill him. He loved his enemies and prayed for those who persecuted him. And he loves even those who do not love him.
February 18, 2023
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Jesus is the beloved Son of his Father. He does not desire to be anything else even when this relationship means suffering and death. Because he is the obedient Son, he rises from the dead. Death can not keep him away from his Father. Nothing can separate him from his Father. If we are united to Jesus, nothing can separate us from the Father either.
February 17, 2023
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”
Jesus is someone who knows the value of everything. Today he reminds us that our life has so much value that if we spend it for him, he will reward us with eternal life.
February 16, 2023
Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.”
Jesus is the Christ. But who is the Christ? He is the one anointed by God to save us from all our sins and errors so that we can be like God.
February 15, 2023
“I see people looking like trees and walking.”
Jesus is someone who wants us to see. Sometimes even when we think we see, we do not see clearly. Jesus continues to work with us until we can see as he sees.
February 14, 2023
“Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened?”
Jesus is someone who warns us when he sees us hardhearted and forgetful of all he has done for us. He reminds us to pay attention and to remember his deeds.
February 13, 2023
“Why does this generation seek a sign?”
Jesus is the sign. His life and actions, his death and Resurrection are a sign from Heaven calling us to repentance and new life. We should not fail to see this sign.
February 12, 2023
“I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
Jesus is the Lawgiver. He is also the fulfillment of the law. This is good news for us. Jesus wants us to be peaceable, faithful, honest, and simple. On our own, this is impossible but with Jesus, all things are possible.
February 11, 2023
They ate and were satisfied.
Jesus is generous. When he sees the need of the crowd, he doesn’t only give them just enough to get by. They are all satisfied and there is even an abundance left over.
February 10, 2023
“He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Jesus has done all things well. All things were made through him and all things are restored through him. Everything that is good comes from him. This is a great reason for gratitude.
February 9, 2023
“Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”
Jesus is the one who leads us to faith. In today’s Gospel, it doesn’t seem like he is going to help the Greek woman. When confronted with a difficulty, what will we do? Jesus wants all things to lead us to an increase in faith.
February 8, 2023
“Are even you likewise without understanding?”
Jesus is someone who is determined to save us. Therefore he teaches us the important lessons over and over again throughout our lives. It is important for us to realize what evil things dwell in our hearts and to ask Jesus to deliver us from them.
February 7, 2023
“You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.”
Sometimes when thinking about who Jesus is, it can be helpful to think about who he isn’t. Jesus is not someone who you can fool. Jesus is not impressed by any outward show or observance. He is only interested in your heart.
February 6, 2023
Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.
Jesus is the one who brings healing. When we draw close to him, we are healed. In the beginning, God’s Word brought everything into existence, and everything was good. Jesus is God’s eternal Word, and he renews all things so that they are become good again.
February 5, 2023
“You are the light of the world.”
Who is Jesus? He is the light of the world. Who are we? We are also the light of the world. How can it be that we and Jesus are the same thing? Jesus wants to identify with us so much that he shares everything with us!
February 4, 2023
“When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.”
Jesus is a merciful shepherd. Even when he has other plans, the sight of the needy sheep fills him with pity. He takes care of them and teaches them.
February 3, 2023
And people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; That is why mighty powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”
Some people thought that Jesus was John the Baptist or Elijah or another prophet. Some people today are also confused about who Jesus is. If we want to know who Jesus is, we have to spend time getting to know him. As with any relationship, we need to spend time seeing and hearing Jesus and then we will begin to understand who he is.
February 2, 2023
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord.
Today Jesus is consecrated to the Lord. Mary and Joseph also gave the required offering for Jesus to be redeemed. Isn’t it interesting that the Redeemer was redeemed? He, of course, did not have to be redeemed but he is our model in everything.
February 1, 2023
“Where did this man get all this?”
I began writing this series so that we all could think deeply about who Jesus is. If we don’t, we may find ourselves in the position of the people in today’s Gospel. They thought they knew all about him. Because their minds and hearts were closed, Jesus was not able to work in their lives. Jesus is someone who waits for our trust.
January 31, 2023
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
Jesus can be approached through faith. Jairus and the woman in today’s Gospel both come to Jesus because they believe that he can help them. When things become difficult for them, Jesus encourages them to have even more faith. Jesus is the one who inspires faith, encourages faith, and demands faith.
January 30, 2023
Then they began to beg him to leave their district.
Jesus is someone who upsets our plans. He has a plan for our lives and for our salvation but often we have plans of our own. His plan is the best because he is the Savior. But sometimes, we can be like the people in today’s Gospel who begged Jesus to leave their district when he destroyed their security.
January 29, 2023
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes. He tells the crowds that the poor in spirit, the meek and peaceful, and those who desire justice will be blessed; in fact, they will gain the kingdom of Heaven. The reason is simple; Heaven is a state of selfless love and true peace, and only those who follow the Beatitudes will become the kind of people who will enjoy being with Jesus in Heaven. Jesus himself perfectly fulfills the Beatitudes; he was poor, meek, and desired justice.
January 28, 2023
“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
Jesus is the Lord of creation. All things obey him… except for us. Why do we not obey him? Is it because we fail to believe in his great power? Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac because he believed “that God was able to raise even from the dead” (Hebrews 11:19). Perhaps Jesus might say, “Do you not yet have faith?”
January 27, 2023
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
Jesus is someone who cares about little things. He sees every action that we do as if it were a seed buried in the ground and he waits for the fruit that will come from this seed.
January 26, 2023
“For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible, nothing is secret except to come to light.”
Jesus is the light who reveals things that are hidden. If we come into this light, we will find out many things about God and about ourselves. We can see the generous measure that Jesus gives here on earth and we can see our own measure as well. Then we can ask Jesus our light to help us use a generous measure like his.
January 25, 2023
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Jesus is the one who brings Good News; in fact, he is the Good News. He wants us to be so filled with himself that our very being speaks of him to every person that we meet. And if there were no human beings near, we would proclaim this news even to the animals, the plants, and the whole inanimate creation. This news is so great that the whole world can not contain it.
January 24, 2023
“For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
For Jesus, the will of God is so important that the person who fulfills it becomes a part of his family. In the first reading, we hear these words, “I come to do your will”. What is this will? It is that we will be made holy and return to our Father through his Son Jesus Christ.
January 23, 2023
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Jesus is the one who “brings salvation to those who eagerly await him”. (Hebrews 9:28) But in order to eagerly await him, we have to know him. If we do not know him, we could become like the scribes in today’s Gospel who opposed him.
January 22, 2023
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen.
Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies. In today’s Gospel, he is fulfilling one of the prophecies of Isaiah. He will dispel darkness and gloom. He will be light and joy and relieve the people of their burdens. When he called the apostles, he united them to this work. When he calls us, he also unites us to this same mission.
January 21, 2023
When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Jesus is someone who appears crazy to those who do not understand or accept his message. Forgiving enemies, serving the poor, and giving up everything to do God’s will might seem crazy but they are the only way to truly love.
January 20, 2023
Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.
Why does Jesus call people that he knows will betray him? The Gospel of today ends with the words “who betrayed him”. But it wasn’t only Judas who betrayed him. Peter denied him and the other apostles fled from him. It is the same today. Jesus calls us and we betray him, deny him and flee from him. Yet he keeps calling us. Jesus is the one who wants to save us more than we want to be saved.
January 19, 2023
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.
When Jesus was here on earth, people came from many places to see him. The crowd grew so large that Jesus had to get into a boat to avoid being crushed. In the first reading of today, we hear that Jesus lives forever to make intercession for us. Think of what this means. The mission of Jesus goes on. He is our intercessor in Heaven.
January 18, 2023
“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”
Why is Jesus angry with the Pharisees? They have hardened their hearts and they do not want to understand who Jesus is. We don’t want to make this same mistake. In today’s Gospel, we can see Jesus in many different ways. Today I’d like to consider three: Lawgiver, Sabbath Rest, and Temple. Why do we have laws like the Ten Commandments? These laws are meant to help us to become like the Lawgiver who does good and not evil. Why was there a Sabbath Rest and why do we celebrate Sunday? Both of these foreshadow our heavenly home which is Jesus. Finally, why do we have temples, synagogues, and churches? These are meant to be places where we encounter the Holy One. For us, Jesus is both the place where we worship and the person that we worship.
January 17, 2023
“That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. When he tells us what to do, it is for our good. He doesn’t make rules just for the sake of making rules. He is like a good father who decides what his children need at each stage of their life. His wise rules help them to grow and to love.
January 16, 2023
“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?”
Jesus says that he is the Bridegroom. What is the perfect bridegroom like? He has chosen the one he loves to live with him always. He is faithful, attentive, and loving. Jesus fulfills all of this and more. He is right when he asks, “How can the wedding guests be sad when the Bridegroom is with them?”
January 15, 2023
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Jesus is the Lamb of God. What does this mean? How can Jesus be both the Shepherd and the Lamb? It is similar to the way that he is God and Man. As God, he is our Shepherd who guides us and protects us but as Man, he is our Teacher, our Example and our Offering. What does the name Lamb teach us? That it is okay to be weak, to be little, to be able to be carried. Jesus gives us an example of how to live this humble way in which we make our life an offering.
January 14, 2023
While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him.
The Gospels often tell us that Jesus interacted with sinners, that he ate with them and that he talked to them. We might think, as the Pharisees thought, “Why does Jesus hang around with sinners?” But in the eyes of God, we all are sinners. As St. Paul says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jesus comes and dwells with us sinners and invites us to friendship with God.
January 13, 2023
“Child, your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus is the one who forgive us our sins. When he forgives them, he wipes them out entirely and they no longer exist for him. This gives us the opportunity to start over. Jesus shows us the way to forgive others by offering them a chance to change.
January 12, 2023
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
This Gospel that we are so used to hearing is actually rather strange. What can it tell us about Jesus? Why was his pity so strong that he healed this leper even when he knew that once cured this man would disobey him? Who is God? He creates us even when he knows that we will disobey him, that we will squander his gifts. He created us even when he knew that to save us, he would have to change places with us and become the outcast, the leper.
January 11, 2023
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Part of the deepest identity of Jesus is his relationship with his Father. Therefore when he could, he withdrew to a quiet place to pray. But when he was called back to the needs of others, he went immediately to their service because he knew that his food was to do the will of his Father.
January 10, 2023
All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority.”
What type of authority did Jesus show the people? It was the authority to preach, drive out evil and heal the sick. This authority came from his complete union with his Father and from his knowledge of his Father’s will. It expressed itself in a life lived entirely in the service of the Heavenly plan for the salvation of the world. When the people saw this type of authority, they were drawn to Jesus. Jesus wants to share this gift of authority with us so that we help others to love him. This authority is not the authority of power or riches but an authority that comes from prayer, reflection, and a life that shows forth the love of God.
January 9, 2023
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
Jesus is our teacher. Everything he did and said was done for us. Today he wants to teach us two lessons that are very difficult for willful and proud human beings to hear. So he teaches us by his actions how to give up our own will and how to overcome our pride. Jesus does the Father’s will even when it doesn’t seem to make sense for him to be baptized and even when other people might think less of him. When we do the will of the Father in humility, we become one with Jesus. Then the Father is well pleased with us and the Holy Spirit makes us his dwelling place.
January 8, 2023
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.
The first people to come to see Jesus were shepherds and the Wise Men whom we often refer to as kings. It’s interesting to think that Jesus is both a shepherd and a wise king. Perhaps the people who are like Jesus are drawn to him. Shepherds are often seen as poor and lowly but they also are the supreme rulers over their kingdoms of sheep. They guide, protect and lead their sheep. Kings are often seen as powerful and mighty, but wise kings are also servants of their people, helping them to live good and worthy lives in the kingdom.
January 7, 2023
Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.”
Jesus is our mysterious friend. There have been many beautiful reflections written about the Wedding Feast of Cana. But today I found myself wondering: Why did Jesus perform his first miracle in this way? Why did he put the servants to so much trouble? Why didn’t he just make wine appear? We often ask questions about things that happen in our lives. Why did it happen this way?
We are children in God’s sight. Children often do not understand why their father does the things that he does. But they know that their father loves them. We do not have all the answers about why Jesus does or doesn’t do things but we know that he loves us.
January 6, 2023
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
What kind of baptism was John performing? It was a baptism for sinners. Why would a person who had no sin choose to receive this baptism? Anyone who saw Jesus being baptized would probably think that he was a sinner. Jesus shows us that he wants to be with us in all the difficulties of our lives. And when he humbles himself out of love for us, the Holy Spirit descends upon him and the Father is pleased.
January 5, 2023
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see the sky opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Did you notice something interesting about the titles used in today’s Gospel? Nathaniel calls Jesus the Son of God but Jesus refers to himself as the Son of Man. We know that Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Man. Yet in the Gospels, Jesus calls himself the Son of Man over 80 times. Why do you think that Jesus uses this title so often? There are many possible answers to this question. I think that Jesus so fully embraced his mission of being one of us and coming to save us that the title Son of Man was very dear to his heart.
January 4, 2023
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,“What are you looking for?”
—Jn 1:35-42
Jesus is the one who truly knows us. He gives us our true name that only he knows. He wants to encounter us at every moment of our lives whether that be 4:00 in the afternoon or dawn or midnight. If we try to follow him, he will turn to ask us, “What are you looking for?” I hope that each one of us will answer, “You, Jesus.”
January 3, 2023
Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
—Jn 1:29-34
What if you had to carry a heavy sack and every day it got heavier? And what if everyone else in the world also was carrying a heavy sack? And no one could get rid of their sack or help anyone else get rid of theirs? Everyone would feel sad and tired and hopeless. Then imagine what it would be like if suddenly someone appeared and said, “Give me those sacks. I am taking them away from you.” This is who Jesus is. He takes away the heavy burden of our sins.
January 2, 2023
There is one among you whom you do not recognize.
—Jn 1:19-28
Jesus is both the one among us whom we do not recognize and also the one whom we are not worthy to serve. It can be so easy to fail to recognize Jesus hidden in our lives. On the other hand, it is also easy to recognize his greatness and to feel that we do not dare to approach him. Both of these attitudes are lacking. Who is Jesus? He is the one who is greater than all and yet makes himself smaller than all so that we unworthy as we are can approach him.
January 1, 2023
And Mary kept all these things reflecting on them in her heart.
—Lk 2:16-21
This year, we’re beginning a new series called Who is Jesus? This is perhaps the most important question in the world. Many people in different places and times have asked this question. It isn’t a question with just one simple answer. It isn’t a question that only needs to be answered once. It is a question that all Christians should reflect on every day of their lives. We are always in danger of substituting a false god for the true God. Instead of following Jesus, we can end up constructing a false image, one that thinks and acts exactly as we do.
The most perfect non-divine person is Mary. She was immaculately conceived, she is the Mother of God, she stayed at the foot of the cross. Yet even Mary pondered and reflected on the mystery of Jesus. If Mary had to think deeply about these things, how much more should we take the time to reflect on who Jesus is and what he means in our lives.
Each day, our family plans to use the Gospel reading to help us to know Jesus better. We want to share our thoughts with each other and also with our 5Sparrows family. Please join us by reflecting on the Gospel yourself and then sharing your thoughts through our contact form. We’ll post a brief reflection every evening.
Now, this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
—John 17:3