In today’s Gospel a woman asks for compassion and mercy and Jesus answers not a word. She is an “outsider,” a Canaanite woman seeking Jesus’ help: “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” Matthew describes Jesus’ response this...
Jeremiah was to say the least, a reluctant prophet as we heard in the story of his call: “The word of the Lord came to me: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I dedicate you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. ‘Ah, Lord God’ I...
In today’s Gospel Jesus explains to his disciples the meaning of the parable of the weeds and the wheat that he previously told (Matthew 13:24-29). In the parable the Master of the household ordered his servants to allow the weeds and the wheat to grow together until...
Today is the memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. As we hear in today’s Gospel Mary comes to full faith in Jesus: “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” The only other figure in...
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...