Matthew 4:1-11, First Sunday of Lent Many, many Roman-Catholics still take it for granted that the Adam and Eve story literally happened as it is narrated in Genesis. But if that were the case, we would run into many problems. First, if the whole human race issued from only two parents, then we would have…
Category: Evangelist: Matthew
My Private Room – Willy Samson, SJ
Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18, Ash Wednesday A confused disciple went to his master and begged for enlightenment. And the master said, “Go and sit in your room, and your room will teach you everything.” Today we officially begin the Season of Lent. For most of us, Lent is a time TO REMEMBER how Jesus, the Son…
Stop Worrying (for Lent and beyond) – Mark Aloysius, SJ
Matthew 6:24-34, Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time I. In just a few days time, we will enter the season of Lent. I’m sure that some of you, if not many, have given thought to what it is you will fast from this Lent. Perhaps some of you will give up some kind of food, kick…
What are your priorities? – Francis Alvarez, SJ
Matthew 6:24-34, Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time “Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them… Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all…
Seek his Kingdom first – Rudolf Horst, SVD
Matthew 6:24-34, Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time Today’s readings are so rich that we could reflect on nearly every sentence. Especially the gospel offers so many thoughts to spend a long time with them. What the three readings have in common is that they remind us that God has not only created us, but that…
Who is my Enemy – Johnny Go, SJ
Matthew 5:38-48, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Did you flinch when you just heard the Lord say, “Love your enemies”? My theory is that, if you didn’t, it’s probably because you didn’t hear what he’s trying to tell us today. Or, you didn’t really think of your enemies. “Who is my enemy?” you might ask….
A Higher Law – Manoling Francisco, SJ
Matthew 5:38-42b, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time In our Gospel today, Jesus cites the Old Testament law of retaliation, “an eye for an eye….” (Ex. 21:24, Dt. 19:21 and Lev. 24:20) which was meant to deter violence and put an end to the spiral of vengeance. According to the Old Testament justice was served by…
Slippery Slope – Johnny Go, SJ
Matthew 5-17:37, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time In today’s Gospel reading, our Lord raises the bar beyond our usual moral comfort zones. It’s not enough that we don’t commit murder, he tells his listeners. Treating others with anger is sin enough. It’s great that we’re not committing adultery, he continues. But the bad news is,…
Thermometer or Thermostat – Rudolf Horst, SVD
Matthew 5:17-37, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time A very long Gospel with many lessons! Each of the lessons taught in today’s Gospel passage could be expanded into an entire book. The core of them all, however, is in the heart. Certainly, our exterior behavior must follow God’s will. This is what Jesus means when he…
Our Favorite Uncle – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 5:13-16, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time My family had always lived with my maternal grandparents when I was growing up. Up to now, I still wonder if it was a Batangueño thing, but mamay and nanay—that’s how we call lolo & lola in Batangueño—they were always either angry or on a slow burn. It…
Stay Salty – Willy Samson, SJ
Matthew 5:13-16, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time The Gospel today speaks of discipleship. As baptized Christians, we are called to become the salt of the earth and light of the world. But what’s in the salt and light that Jesus decided to use these things as metaphors of discipleship? Salt has many practical uses. It…
When the Good is Mixed Up with the Bad – Mark Aloysius, SJ
Matthew 5:13-16, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time I. There is a scene in the biopic, Jackie, which I have been thinking about a lot since I last saw it. Jackie is desolate and disorientated after the assassination of JFK, and she speaks with a priest about the memories of her marriage. She speaks of the…
One Lost Sheep 