Wake Up, Lazarus

WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER TO JESUS’ QUESTION? In the synagogue of Capernaum, an unclean spirit cried out, “YOU ARE THE HOLY ONE OF GOD!” Let us all say with Thomas, the doubter, “MY LORD AND MY GOD.” Read more: click on picture.

Biblical Reflections When John saw Jesus in the distance, he said to his followers, "This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

O WOMAN, GREAT IS YOUR FAITH ! So was the faith of the Centurion of Capernaum. So was the faith of the blind man in Jericho, and all were cured. FAITH IS TRUST IN GOD, but miracles are gifts which happen in God’s time, not ours. READ MORE: Click on picture.

Biblical Reflections Last week Jesus said to Peter, the prince of the apostles, "O you of little faith!" This week Jesus says to a pagan woman, "Great is your faith!" Jesus found much faith in ordinary people.

WALKING ON WATER IS WALKING IN TRUST. To Abraham, God said, ‘GO TO THE LAND I WILL SHOW YOU.” To Moses: “GO THE PHARAOH TO LIBERATE MY PEOPLE.” The angel to Mary, “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GOD.” Read more CLICK ON PICTURE

Biblical Reflections God said to Abraham, "Go from your country, your people. and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation." Abraham trusted the Lord, and the Lord went with him.

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS AND OUR OWN. The apostles were transformed from fearful to fearless. WE CAN BECOME FEARLESS, not because we are not afraid of dangers, but BECAUSE WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF FEAR ITSELF. This transformation can be seen in the lives of saints. READ MORE: click on picture.

Biblical Reflections The Transfiguration of Jesus gives an idea of what can happen to all Christians. On Mount Tabor he was glorious, in conversion with Moses and Elijah talking about the past and the future. But when coming down from the mountain, he was again like before. Tranfiguration means changing forms, to be tra...

FIND YOUR LIFE’S TREASURE. We are all given talents, in business, teaching, or working with our hands. These talents are our treasure. “WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE IS YOUR HEART.” Let Jesus Christ be our treasure. READ MORE: Click on pisture.

Biblical Reflections Jesus told the following parable. A man found a treasure in a field. He sold everything he had, and bought the field to acquire the hidden treasure. The message for us is to search for a hidden treasure, and when we find it, to give up everything to keep it.

THE PARABLE OF WHEAT AND WEEDS IN THE CHURCH. Do not pull out the weeds. REFORM THE CHURCH FROM WITHIN. Judge not and you will not be judged. READ MORE: Click on picture.

Biblical Reflections In the kingdom of God there are weeds growing along the good seeds sowed by the Son of Man. It is the enemy, the evil one, who came at night to sow weeds. Should we pull them out? No. The two look alike. Wait until the harvest when all the weeds will be burned in a big bonfire.

THE SOWER CONTINUES SOWING SEED TODAY. We hear his voice through our conscience. The eternal plan of the Father is TO BRING ALL THINGS UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST. To Him be glory forever. READ MORE: click on picture.

Biblical Reflections At the appointed time, the Son of Man came to sow the Good News in the towns and villages of Galilee.  He continues to this day through his ministers and everyday events. The seeds of the Sower are not mainly doctrines or moral teachings. The seeds are also the voice of conscience that tells us wha...

“COME TO ME IF YOU ARE BURDENED AND I GIVE YOU REST.” In Jesus we can find peace of mind and heart. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK: they will inherit the earth. READ MORE: click on picture.

Biblical Reflections "Our hearts are restless until they rest in God." From childhood on, our hearts were restless because we were constantly told what to do. In adolescence, we were restless because we had to decide what to do in adult life. When we were single, our hearts were restless until we found our life companio...

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN MY FAILURES. I cannot justify my faults, but YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU. Remember no more the faults of my youth. READ MORE: click on picture.

Biblical Reflections We must love mother and father, sons, and daughters, and we mut also love God more than we love them. We mut love ourselves, and our neighbors as much or even more than ourselves. We must love our work to be productive. We must love our homes to make repairs and improvements. Whoever loves parents,....

“DO NOT BE AFRAID: all the hairs of your head are counted. NO SPARROW CAN FALL WITHOUT GOD’S KNOWLEDGE.” If you fall, LIKE A SPARROW, GET UP AND FLY AGAIN. Read more: CLICK ON PICTURE.

Biblical Reflections "I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves. But do not be afraid: all the hairs of your head are counted. No sparrow can fall to the ground without my Father's knowledge. You are worth more than sparrows."

“GO TO THE LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL” because they need you. When we are lost, we look for help. WHEN LOST WE WANT TO BE FOUND. Zachaeus of Jericho was lost and wanted to be found. WHEN FOUND he was a changed man. READS MORE: Click on picture.

Biblical Reflections "At the sight of the crowd, Jesus was moved: they are like sheep without a sheperd. The harvest is bundant but the laborers are few." Looking at what needs to be done to make the world a place of peace and justice, we are moved by how much needs to be done. Individuals, groups, churches, and nations...

GOD SENT HIS SON NOT TO DO CONDEMN BUT TO SAVE. On this Sunday of the Trinity, we celebrate God love as CREATOR, SAVIOR, AND SANCTIFIER. We enjoy the gift of life and nature, the presence of God-Man in our midst, and the power of the inner spirit to guide us. READ MORE.

Biblical Reflections God created heaven and earth in seven days. "He looked at everything he had made and found it very good." God loved the earth although he knew it was a world of sinners. At creation, "light came to the world, but people preferred light to darkness because their works were evil." God sent his only so...

“RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT.” He speaks to us through Scripture. “GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS.” How? there are no recipes. “BE HOLY AS GOD IS HOLY.” This is what the Holy Spirit will tell us in prayer. READ MORE: click on picture.

Biblical Reflections We must receive, welcome, and invite the Holy Spirit. Because he is the Spirit of Jesus known to us only through Scripture, to receive and invite the Holy Spirit means receiving and studying Scripture. All that we know about Jesus comes from the four gospels, not church documents, or sermons.

MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS by gaining the hearts of people to Christ. JESUS WILL SEND US HIS SPIRIT. His last words: “I AM WITH YOU TO THE END OF TIME.” Reads more: CLICK ON PICTURE.

Biblical Reflections The first missionaries of the church are the parents because they teach their children to follow in their footsteps. They preach primarily by example, but they must also teach the basic beliefs and practices of their faith. Teachers want their students to surpass them. Parents should similarly encou...

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THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH WILL FIGHT THE SPIRIT OF LIES. Satan is the spirit of deception and lies that says, “YOU WILL BE LIKE GODS.” Satan inflames our earthly passions. THE SPIRIT OF JESUS BRINGS PEACE in anxiety and hope in desperate situations. READ MORE: Click ON LINK.

JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND LIFE. All things were created through him, and through him all things return to God. HE IS THE TRUTH because all truth comes from him. HE IS THE WAY, more than any moral philosophy. HE IS LIFE, life eternal. READ MORE: click on picture.

Biblical Reflections "All things came to be through Him and without Him nothing came to be." Jesus is the eternal Word that created the universe. He was before time and will be at the end of time. We participate in His divine identity through nature and by adoption. We were created at the image and semblance of God, hav...

‘I KNOW MY SHEEP AND THEY KNOW ME.” We cannot see the Good Shepherd face-to-face; we can only imagine him. EACH CULTURE REPRESENTS THE GOOD SHEPHERD DIFFERENTLY, as European, Asian, or African. What is your image of Jesus for you and the next generation? READ MORE: click on picture.

Biblical Reflections We know the Lord only dimly, like through an opaque glass. "Seek and you will find." Scripture is an opaque glass: we understand its words and its general meaning, but it takes much searching to find there the bread of life. Our hope is not to see the Lord with naked eyes, but to keep alive the hope...

“OUR HEARTS WERE BURNING WITHIN US” but they did nor recognize Jesus. WHEN WE PRAY OFTEN NOTHING HAPPENS, but "OUR HEARTS ARE BURNING WHEN HE SPEAKS TO US ON THE ROAD," although we do not recognize him. READ MORE: CLICK ON PICTURE.

Biblical Reflections In their journey to Emmaus, the two disciples did not recognize Jesus. Strangely, they explained to Jesus what happened to Jesus of Nazareth "who was a prophet mighty in deeds and words. Our chief priests and rules handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him." They also tell Jesus "Some...

“PEACE BE WITH YOU!” - Thomas: "Unless I see the marks on his hands and feet, I will not believe." - Jesus: “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE WITHOUT HAVING SEEN.” We believe in your word and peace. READ MORE : click on picture.

Biblical Reflections On Easter Sunday when the apostles were hiding behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus appeared to them and said, "Peace be with you." He brought peace those who had abandoned him and felt shame and embarrassment. The apostles were happy to see him, and then he said again, "Peace with you."....

CHRIST’S RESURRECTION IS GOD’S MYSTERY OF SALVATION, the culmination of the history of Israel. SINS ARE FORGIVEN, and there is hope for a new life. OUR HOPE IS JESUS CHRIST in our daily lives. READ MORE: click on picture.

Biblical Reflections The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the culmination of God's design of salvation. The whole history of Israel, the covenant of God with Abraham and Israel, and the expectations of the prophets reach their ultimate meaning in this event. If Christ is not risen, our faith is in vain, but in....

THE PASSION SUNDAY REMINDS US OF THE SUFFERINGS AND DEATH OF OUR LORD JESUS. It was predicted by the prophets in the image of the SUFFERING SERVANT WHO WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR WRONGDOINGS. In his death we found life. Read more: CLICK ON PICTURE

Biblical Reflections Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they took him from the cross? Were you there when they led him to the tomb? Were you there when the stone was rolled away?

WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME WILL NEVER DIE. Jesus is the resurrection and life. I BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION AND THE ETERNAL LIFE: this is our faith. It will be A BANQUET WITH LAZARUS, MARTHA AND MARIE. Read more: Click on picture.

Biblical Reflections "Everyone who believes in me will never die." Of course, we will all die, but those who believe in the Resurrection of Christ will die hoping to be forever with the resurrected Jesus. This is the difference between faith in eternal life and the despair of annihilation through death.

JESUS BRINGS SIGHT TO THE BLIND. Any healing is a gift from God, not just miraculous healing. MIRACLES DO NOT NEED TO BE PROVEN BY SCIENCE; they are signs of God’s goodness. There are small everyday miracles. GIVING THANKS IS THE EXPRESSION OF OUR FAITH AND HOPE. Read more: Click on picture.

Biblical Reflections In contact with Jesus, some people find spiritual light while others turn into darkness. Today's reading has two stories: a blind man came to see light, and his opponents refused to believe. But this is an everyday story. Here is a modern version.

I CAN GIVE YOU LIVING WATERS because I am the bread of life. MY FOOD IS TO THE WILL OF MY FATHER. It is also our food by following Jesus. READ MORE: CLICK ON PICTURE

Biblical Reflections In the story of the Samaritan woman, the roles are reversed. It is the woman – it is us – who are thirsty, in need of living waters that will quench our thirst forever. But we can only think of immediate needs, material things. When Jesus repeats that he can give water than will endlessly bubble...

HE IS THE GOD OF THE LIVING, NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD. Moses and Elijah are alive, as are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and also Peter, Paul, and all the saints. WE BELIEVE IN ETERNAL LIFE. The Transfiguration is the symbol of inner transformation. READ MORE: Click on picture.

Biblical Reflections On Mount Tabor, when Jesus was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared conversing with him. Peter, James, and John recognized them as representging the whole Jewish scripture, Moses standing for the law given on Mount Sinai, et Elijah as gtheprohet of holiness who saw God on Mount Horeb. Then and to...

JESUS CHRIST IS THE BREAD OF GOD. He defeated the devil in the desert by quoting the word. of God. MONEY, FAME, AND POWER ARE FALSE IDOLS. No! We worship the Lord alone. READ MORE. Click on picture.

Biblical Reflections "Jesus was led by the Spirit to the desert to be tempted by the devil." For forty days and forty nights, Jesus fasted from food but nourished himself with the word of God. When the tempter came, Jesus was ready to speak to the word of God the devil. "Command that these stones become loaves of bread....

NO EYE FOR EYE. NO HATRED FOR HATRED. NO VIOLENCE FOR VIOLENCE. Jesus forgave his killers because they did not know what they were doing. WE CAN FORGIVE OFFENSES because most people do not know what they are doing. READ MORE: click on picture.

Biblical Reflections "You have been told, 'An eye for an eye,' but I say to you, offer no resistance to evil." Very often the best way to face evil is to walk away from it. When we are attacked, it is tempting to counterattack. It is often better to say, "Let's talk about this tomorrow!" People will probably say, "No! N...

“I HAVE COME TO FULFILL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.” In the new law, Jesus banishes anger and lust. WE CANNOT ERADICATE EVIL TENDENCIES, but we can control them. "I CAN ENYTHING IN WHIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME." Read more: CLICK ON PICTURE.

Biblical Reflections "I have come not to abolish but to fulfill the Law. "Do not kill" is the law of the land, but for Jesus it is, "Do not get angry at your brother." Anger can be the first step to murder. We can kill in many ways Angry words can wound the feelings, and such wounds can hurt for a long time. Angry words...

WITHOUT CHRIST’S LIGHT, THE WORLD IS IN DARKNESS. “ Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear fruit.” "WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING” or very little. With God's grace we can do a lot. With John the Baptist, we can say, “HE MUST GROW, AND I MUST DIMINISH.” Read more: CLICK ON PICTURE.

Biblical Reflections "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear fruit. because without me you can do nothing." (Jn 15:5) We will produce good work to the extent that we seek inspiration from Jesus Christ and follow his example. Christians are supposed to be followers and disciples...

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN THE SPIRIT, THE MERCIFUL, AND PEACEMAKERS, because they have true happiness. GOD SAVES THE POOR FROM DESPAIR and the merciful from condemnation. THE PEACEMAKERS WILL INHERIT THE EARTH because they spread peace around them. READ MORE: CLICK ON PICTURE.