Turn the Other Cheek

Turn the Other Cheek

In today’s Gospel Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:28).  In this section Jesus continues his authoritative interpretation of the Torah, the Scripture.  He first quotes a Scripture text: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a...
Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. As we hear in today readings this feast is a celebration of God’s love for us.: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.”   This 2nd...
Greater Righteousness

Greater Righteousness

In today’s Gospel Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount by calling his disciples to a “greater righteousness.”  In his programmatic statement Jesus warns his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not...
The Two Great Commandments

The Two Great Commandments

In today’s Gospel a Jewish scribe asks Jesus a question that I am sure all of us have asked at one time or another: “Which is the first of all the commandments?”  A Jewish scribe is one who has studied the Scripture and perhaps even memorized it.  He might feel a...
The God of the Living

The God of the Living

In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us that God is a living God: “He is not God of the dead but of the living.”  Jews, Christians, and Moslems all believe in the same God, the God revealed to Moses: “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” “The...