In today’s Gospel we hear the story of a poor widow putting her offering in the Temple treasury. It seems like a simple story highlighting this widow’s great generosity. Jesus remarks: “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest.” Jesus had...
Today’s readings remind us that both the Temple and the Church are called to be houses of prayer. Today’s Gospel is often called the “Cleansing of the Temple.” In the first reading from Maccabees, we have the description of the cleansing of the Temple after it had...
In today’s readings we hear about two violent tyrants. In the first reading the Greek King or Tyrant Antiochus uses violence and torture to try to force the Jews to violate God’s law. In the Gospel Jesus tells a parable that is taken from the real-life example of...
It is right in front of you! You just need to know where to look. This is Jesus’ teaching in today’s Gospel. People search high and low for a new messiah, claiming some emperor, some king, or some president is the one who will save and deliver us. Jesus warns us...
In today’s Gospel Jesus warns his disciples against causing scandal: “Things that cause sin (skandala) will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.” Jesus calls for both fraternal correction and forgiveness: “If your brother or sister sins,...
