Catholic Daily Reflections

Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - The Eternal Marriage to Come Jul 3, 2026 429 Read OnlineThe Eternal Marriage to ComeThe disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matthew 9:14–15In Isaiah 54:5 and Hosea 2:16–20, God is po

July 3, Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle - Faith Born of Encounter Jul 2, 2026 469 Read OnlineFaith Born of EncounterThomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:24–25Though Saint Thomas is best remembered for doubting

Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - Out of the Ordinary Jul 1, 2026 435 Read OnlineAfter entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” Matthew 9:1–2After making a quick trip across the Sea of Galilee to deliver two men from demonic possession, Jesus and the disciples return to Jesus’ “

Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - Being Set Free! Jun 30, 2026 441 Read OnlineWhen Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” Matthew 8:28–29After delivering His Sermon on the Mount and performing many miracles among His own people,

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time - Rejecting the Storm of Vengeance Jun 29, 2026 426 Read OnlineAs Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. Matthew 8:23–26While

June 29, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul - The Church Shall Prevail Jun 28, 2026 470 Read Online“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - Receiving and Expressing Love Jun 27, 2026 426 Read OnlineJesus said to his apostles: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37–38When a scribe approached Jesus and asked Him which of the commandments was the greatest, He replied: “‘You shall love the Lord you

Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time - Faith Beyond Expectations Jun 26, 2026 407 Read OnlineWhen Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:5–8From the beginning of time, God continuall

Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time - Spiritually Cleansed and Restored Jun 25, 2026 449 Read OnlineWhen Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Matthew 8:1–3After leading the Israelites out of Egypt, God gave Moses not only the Ten Commandments but

Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time - Faith and Obedience Jun 24, 2026 410 Read Online“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’

June 24, Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist - From Barrenness to Praise Jun 23, 2026 421 Read OnlineWhen they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all we

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time - Probing Divine Mysteries Jun 22, 2026 421 Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:6Today’s Gospel contains one of Christ’s more difficult teachings. At first glance, His words seem harsh. Yet they reveal a profound truth: the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven require a heart properly disposed

Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time - Disordered Satisfaction Jun 21, 2026 431 Read Online“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3–5It is easy to judg

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - Speaking and Proclaiming Without Fear Jun 20, 2026 428 Read Online“What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” Matthew 10:27–28When you pray, does God “whisper” to you? Do you sense His presence? Has He convicted your heart about Himself and

Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time - The City of God and the City of Man Jun 19, 2026 444 Read Online“So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own ev

Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time - Treasures on Earth or Heaven? Jun 18, 2026 444 Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Matthew 6:19–21Today’s Gospel is one that many find difficult to take literally.

Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time - Learning to Pray Rightly Jun 17, 2026 395 Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…” Matthew 6:7–9Many pagans of Jesus’ time believed they could manipulate divine action by sheer per

Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time - Authentic Righteousness Jun 16, 2026 426 Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.” Matthew 6:1Authenticity draws others in. A person who lives with genuine humility and virtue naturally inspires trust. In contrast, hypocrisy—an outward display of righteousness without interior virtue, done for huma

Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time - No Limit to Love Jun 15, 2026 428 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father… So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43–45, 48The Law of Moses, contained in the first five books of the Old Testament, taught the im

Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time - A New Form of Justice Jun 14, 2026 429 Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil… Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.” Matthew 5:38–39, 41The phrase “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” refers to the Mosaic Law of Retaliation (cf. Exodus 21:23–25). When Mo

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - Driven by Divine Compassion Jun 13, 2026 422 Read OnlineAt the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36As Jesus went “to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness” (Matthew 9:35), He was moved with deep compassion for the crowds. The Greek verb spl

Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time - Honesty and Integrity Always Jun 12, 2026 433 Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all… Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One.” Matthew 5:33–34, 37When someone’s honesty is questioned, it is not uncommon to respond emphatically by saying,

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Year A) - The Gentle Power of Divine Love Jun 11, 2026 490 Read Online“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves…” Matthew 11:28–29The words gentle and power do not often appear side by side. Yet when we contemplate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, these two seemingly opposite qualities unite perfectly within the divi

Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time - Humiliation Fosters Humility Jun 10, 2026 418 Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20This statement would have been shocking to Jesus’ audience. At that time, the scribes and Pharisees were well-known for their meticulous observance of the Law of Moses, attending scrupulously to even the smallest det

Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time - The Law and the Prophets Made New Jun 9, 2026 415 Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.” Matthew 5:17–18Sometimes it can be challenging to reconcile the Old Testament w

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time - Radiating the True Light of Heaven Jun 8, 2026 445 Read Online“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14–16Light and darkness are not opposing forces; rather,

Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time - Beyond Worldly Wisdom Jun 7, 2026 428 Read OnlineWhen Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven…” Matthew 5:1–3Like Moses, Jesus “went up the mountain” to deliver divine teaching. Rather than issuing commandments, He proclaimed invitations to partake in God’s very life. The Bea

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ—Corpus Christi (Year A) - Pange Lingua—Proclaim, O Tongue Jun 6, 2026 432 Read OnlineJesus said to the Jewish crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” John 6:51–52It must have been shocking to Jesus’ listeners the first time He boldly proclaimed that H

Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - Radical Generosity Jun 5, 2026 459 Read Online“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” Mark 12:43–44How generous are you? This is a challenging question, yet one worth considering. Does your generosity reflect God’s boundless generosity? Do y

Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - Understanding “with Delight” Jun 4, 2026 414 Read OnlineAs Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, “How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.’ David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?” The great crowd heard this with delight. Mark 12:35–37Today’s Gospel presents

Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - The Law Fulfilled in Love Jun 3, 2026 410 Read OnlineOne of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Mark 12:28We continue to read about Jesus’ various interactions, teachings, and prophetic actions in the Temple area during Passover, just days before He would be arrested and killed. During the week, Jesus cleansed the Temple of moneychangers and merchants and was confronted with hostility by

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - Turning Our Eyes to Eternity Jun 2, 2026 418 Read OnlineSome Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers…” Mark 12:18–20The Sadducees were a Jewish sect composed mainly of the Temple leaders, including

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - The Path to True Unity Jun 1, 2026 413 Read OnlineSome Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Mar

Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time - Rejection Transformed May 31, 2026 403 Read OnlineJesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard.” Mark 12:10–12Today’s Gospel takes place during th

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Year A) - God is Love and Loving May 30, 2026 462 Read OnlineGod so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name

Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - Facing Hostility and Evil May 29, 2026 415 Read OnlineJesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Mark 11:27–28Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem for Passover, which would culminate in His death. In the preceding mo

Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - Barren Spirituality or Fruitfulness May 28, 2026 414 Read OnlineEarly in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Mark 11:20–21The prophets often used the image of a barren fig tree to symbolize Israel’s fruitless spirituality (cf. Hosea 9:10; Jeremiah 8:13). Though they were God’s chosen people, with whom God esta

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - Undeterred in Faith and Prayer May 27, 2026 447 Read OnlineAs Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Mark 10:46–48Tho

Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - The Love of Human Empathy May 26, 2026 411 Read Online“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.” Mark 10:33–34How often do we fail to grasp the suffering of others, consumed instead by our own con

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - Forsaking All to Follow Christ May 25, 2026 429 Read OnlinePeter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Mark 10:28Peter had just witnessed Jesus’ conversation with the rich young man, to whom Jesus said, “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21). After the young man went away sad because he had many possessions, Jesus turned to the disc

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church—Monday after Pentecost - The Mother of the Redeemed May 24, 2026 431 Read OnlineStanding by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:25–27Yesterday, we celebrated the great

Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (Year A) - The Wind and Fire of Pentecost (1) May 23, 2026 456 Read OnlineJesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” John 20:21–23Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, which took place fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead. Today’

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter - Disordered Curiosity May 22, 2026 384 Read OnlinePeter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” John 21:20–22Just before today’s G

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter - Meeting Us Where We Are At May 21, 2026 450 Read OnlineMeeting Us Where We Are AtAfter Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time…” John 21:15–16Today’s resurrection appearance is the third t

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter - You are a Gift! May 20, 2026 481 Read Online“Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24You are the Father’s gift to Jesus the Son. What an amazing reality to understand! This profound truth is at the heart of today’s Gospel in which Jesus speaks of the unique and intimate relati

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter - Our Identity in God May 19, 2026 449 Read Online“Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.” John 17:11In the ancient world, a name was not only a means of identification but also an expression of the authority and power that the person possessed. For instance, when a king or ruler issued a decree, it was done “in the n

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter - Sharing In Eternal Glory May 18, 2026 459 Read Online“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them.” John 17:9–10Though the Church has traditionally summarized sin under the seven capital sins, sin is also understood to arise from three primary sources: the flesh, the world, and the

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter - From Clarity to the Cross May 17, 2026 446 Read OnlineThe disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” John 16:29–30Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus often speaks in allegories and metaphors that the disciples struggle to comprehend. Among these, He referr

Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year A) - The Hour of Glory May 16, 2026 400 Read OnlineJesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.” John 17:1–2The entirety of Chapter 17 of John’s Gospel is traditionally referred to as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. This prayer concludes the Last Suppe

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter - The Prayer of Divine Worship May 15, 2026 424 Read OnlineThe Prayer of Divine WorshipJesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” John 16:23–24During Jesus’ Last Supper Discourse, the theme of praying to the Father in Jesus’ name comes up repeatedly. Each time, Jesus

Friday of the Sixth Sunday of Easter - Temporary or Eternal? May 14, 2026 394 Read Online“When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” John 16:21–22When we live fully united to Ch

May 14, Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle - One of the Twelve May 13, 2026 454 Read OnlineOne of the Twelve“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. Acts 1:24–26Matthias, the saint we honor today, was named an Apostle to replace Jud

Ascension of Our Lord (Year A) - Evangelizing All Nations May 13, 2026 400 Read Online“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20What a monumental task the Apostles were given! These are Jesus’ par

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter - Bearing All Truth May 12, 2026 373 Read OnlineBearing All TruthJesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” John 16:12–13Even Jesus’ closest companions, who spent three years with Him during His public ministry, could not bear the fullness of Truth without the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. This is a significant r

Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter - Finding Hope in Grief May 11, 2026 455 Read OnlineFinding Hope in GriefJesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:5–7Each of us experiences grie

Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter - Giving Bold Witness May 10, 2026 448 Read OnlineGiving Bold WitnessJesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:26–27The Last Supper Discourse spans from Chapters 13–17 in John’s Gospel, making it Jesus’ longest continuous teaching in t

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year A) - Members of God’s Family May 9, 2026 362 Read Online“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” John 14:18–20The feeling of being an orphan, of longing for belonging, reflects a deeper spiritual reality Jesus addressed with His disciples in to

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter - Chosen Out of the World May 8, 2026 483 Read OnlineChosen Out of the WorldJesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.” John 15:18–19No one wants to be hated. Yet our Lord makes it very clear that because He has “chosen you out of the

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter - Increasing Your Capacity to Love May 7, 2026 492 Read OnlineIncreasing Your Capacity to Love“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.” John 15:13–15Is it possible to know everything that J

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter - Eternal Love and Joy May 6, 2026 443 Read OnlineEternal Love and JoyJesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” John 15:9–10Imagine being loved by someone with a perfect love. Perfect love has no bounds, and experiencing it would be the source of indescribable

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter - Bearing Fruit May 5, 2026 402 Read OnlineBearing Fruit“Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” John 15:4–5Jesus is the source of life and fruitfulness. Yet, too often, we try to bea

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter - Jesus’ Transforming Peace May 4, 2026 428 Read OnlineJesus’ Transforming PeaceJesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27There are two types of peace we can enjoy. First, there is worldly peace. This peace is the absence of conflict, war, or external turmoil. Civil governments must work to ensure this pea

Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter - Obedience—the Gateway to Intimate Love May 3, 2026 475 Read OnlineObedience—the Gateway to Intimate LoveJesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” John 14:21Most people would not think of “love” as obedience to commandments. Yet, that is precisely how Jesus defines it. To understand the truthfulness of H

Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year A) - The Way to the Father.mp3 May 2, 2026 413 Read OnlineThe Way to the Father“Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:4–6In addition to His parables and moral teachings, Jesus revealed to His disciples deep mysteries in a direct way that they

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter - Praying in Jesus’ Name May 1, 2026 458 Read Online“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” John 14:12–14Have you ever prayed repeatedly for something, only to feel your prayer was unans

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter - Hope During the Uncertainties of Life Apr 30, 2026 351 Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” John 14:1–2We all need hope, especially in the face of life’s uncertainties. The inspired virtue of hope is much more than wishful thinkin

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter - Love Perfected by Humility Apr 29, 2026 427 Read OnlineWhen Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.” John 13:16–17Today’s Gospel comes from the Last Supper, just after Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. What an act of humility! By analogy, it would be as if a

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter - Truly Seeing God Apr 28, 2026 353 Read OnlineJesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” John 12:44–46Do you want to see God? Our faith teaches that those who die in a state of grace will enjoy the Beatific Vision, the cleares

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter - Do We Listen? Apr 27, 2026 369 Read OnlineThe feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe…” John 10:22–25How often does the Lord speak to us,

Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter (Year A) - The Courage of the Good Shepherd Apr 26, 2026 466 Read OnlineJesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.” John 10:11–13What is it that makes a shepherd “good?” A shepherd’s duti

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A) - The Voice of a Stranger Apr 25, 2026 410 Read Online“When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” John 10:4–5Young children are often frightened by strangers. Infants, for example, form a strong bond with their mothers who feed them, hold them c

April 25, Feast of Saint Mark - Our Mission as Evangelists Apr 24, 2026 408 Read OnlineJesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe…” Mark 16:15–17Today we honor the Gospel writer, Saint Mark. Mark, also called John Mark, was likely from modern-day Libya in North Afric

Friday of the Third Week of Easter - Certitude of Faith Apr 23, 2026 446 Read Online“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink.” John 6:53–55Human reason and free will are the most precious natural gifts God gave us. They are what separate

Thursday of the Third Week of Easter - Drawn by the Father Apr 22, 2026 403 Read OnlineJesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day.” John 6:44In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues His conversation with the crowd who sought Him out after performing the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. As the conversation continues, Jesus deepens His clarity about His relationship with the

Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter - The Satiation You Desire Apr 21, 2026 461 Read OnlineJesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe.” John 6:35–36Some who listened to Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse must have been shocked. Those who listened with faith began to believe in Him, even though their understanding was not co

Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter - Manna or the Bread of Life Apr 20, 2026 448 Read OnlineThe crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” John 6:30–31Today’s Gospel begins the beautiful Bread of Life Discourse, which we read at Mass for the rest of the week. In this discourse, we read the conversation Jesus had with some of t

Monday of the Third Week of Easter - Redirecting Your Desire Apr 19, 2026 399 Read Online“Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” John 6:26–27The crowd desired one thi

Third Sunday of Easter (Year A) - Dispelling Confusion Apr 18, 2026 439 Read OnlineThat very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. Luke 24:13–16These two disciples

Saturday of the Second Week of Easter - Traversing the Darkness of Fear Apr 17, 2026 456 Read OnlineWhen they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” John 6:19–20One of the most consoling things we can hear is our Lord saying to us, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Every time we encounter His divine presence in our lives, we should hear those words. Thoug

Friday of the Second Week of Easter - Divine Providence Never Fails Apr 16, 2026 452 Read OnlineJesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” John 6:3–5Have you ever faced a situation in which you felt desperate? Some people endure severe poverty, unsure of where their next meal

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