Today is the feast of the apostle James, often known as St. James the Greater perhaps because he was older or perhaps taller than the other apostle named James. In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches James and the other apostles that the way to true greatness is through...
Today’s first reading describes the call of the prophet Jeremiah. The Lord God tells Jeremiah that he has been predestined to be his prophet: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed...
God “desires mercy, not sacrifice.” Jesus teaches this message in today’s Gospel. In fact, he is quoting the prophet Hosea. Jesus quotes this same passage of Hosea elsewhere in this Gospel when he is having a meal with Matthew the tax collector: “While he was at...
In today’s Gospel Jesus gives an invitation to each one of us: “Come to me…” This invitation is to all who “labor and are burdened.” What is the source of these burdens? It can be many things in our daily lives such as addiction, depression, suicidal thoughts. Our...
Isaiah’s words in today’s first reading are very shocking: “When you spread out your hands, I close my eyes to you; Though you pray the more, I will not listen.” Isaiah is warning the people that God is refusing to listen to their prayers. Why? Because of their...
