From self-love to self-transcendent love, Jesus expanded the traditional Law of Love to self-sacrificial love. Self-sacrificial love requires intentional agency and autonomous choice; it is distinct from passivity, submissiveness, or the forfeiture of personal boundaries. GOSPEL PASSAGE: Matthew 22:34-40             When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one…

Rules, laws, state, and religion: freedom of conscience and the responsible formation of conscience are all part of today’s Gospel reading on Jesus’ encounter with the scholars of His day. GOSPEL PASSAGE: Matthew 22:15-21 The Pharisees wet off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the…

Jesus continued teaching through parables to illuminate the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven. Today’s Gospel highlights the generosity of God’s mercy and the humble response each person is invited to offer in return. GOSPEL PASSAGE: Matthew 22:1-14             Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared…

Jesus used parables to teach about the kingdom of God. Each one reveals some aspect of this kindom. GOSPEL PASSAGE: Matthew 21:33-43 Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it,…

Everyone is invited to work in the vineyard, but not all are ready to accept the invitation. Freedom of will implies that we can say “yes” or “no” to God’s plan. Even though at times we may rebel against God’s ways or misunderstand His will, through His obedience to the Father, Jesus invites us to…

Jesus continues to teach something very important about God’s qualities and the Kingdom of God. This week’s teaching points out abundance and generosity. GOSPEL PASSAGE: Matthew 20:1-16a Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. Afte agreeing with…

The central theme of today’s Gospel reading is compassion—a compassion that leads to forgiveness. Another word we could use is mercy, which is one of the attributes of God. Right away, we arrive at the heart of the message: God is merciful. GOSPEL REFLECTIONS: Matthew 18:21-35 Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my…

Fraternal correction is part of the life of a Chritian. Is is one of the works of mercy. To have the courage to correct the brother or sister to live a loving life. Gospel Readings: Matthew 18:15-20 “Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between…

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus reveals that the Messiah achieves victory not through seeking political power, status, or success, but through radical self-giving, suffering and resurrection. Jesus invites His disciples–and us–to decide where we are going (“Quo vadis?”); Are we to pursue the ephemeral things of this life, or take up our cross, and discover…

Confessing Jesus as Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit helps us mature spiritually: it prepares us to face our suffering, carry our cross, and understand the nature of the mission God entrusts to us. GOSPEL PASSAGE: Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Phillipi and he asked the disciples, “Who do…