sacrifice

THERE IS A COST TO FOLLOWING JESUS: Give up your idols.

August 19, 2024 by Eddie Leave a Comment

There was a rich young man who consulted Jesus about what good he had to do to gain eternal life. The young man was earnest; and he really wanted to be perfect. He was religious in practice, and was interested in finding peace. He knew about Jesus, and believed that he came to the right person to get the best advice, and was even very respectful in addressing Jesus. Read about it in Matt 19:16-22.

But when Jesus spelled out to him the conditions of discipleship, and what he had to do to follow him, the young man got an instruction that he did not expect, was discouraged and walked away.

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THE ROAD TO OUR CALVARY IS OUR PATHWAY OF HOPE

March 31, 2024 by Eddie Leave a Comment

I trust that you’ve all been keeping step with the celebration of the Holy Triduum during the past days, and that you’ve spent quality time reflecting on and studying the significance of the passion and death of Jesus. And now this, the resurrection of Jesus. While we read John’s version of the story in chapter 20:1-9, you may also want to read the different nuances of the same story reported by Matthew, Mark and Luke.

For today, rather than focusing on those nuances and details of the resurrection, I invite you to reflect on the significance of Christ’s resurrection from the perspective of the obedience of Jesus in taking up His cross.

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THE HEROES AND MARTYRS IN OUR LIVES

August 29, 2023 by Eddie Leave a Comment

Yesterday, National Heroes Day, our nation remembered her heroes of long ago — men and women who fought for what they believed was our sovereign right as a people and who braved death against all odds. Today, in our gospel reading (Mark 6:17-29), the evangelist Mark tells the story about the martyrdom of John the Baptist.

This is a familiar story to many of us. John, who was the voice crying in the desert, was sent by God to prepare the way of the Lord. Scripture tells us that many people followed John looking to him for hope, perhaps expecting some great Messianic power, but John never allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. He knew his calling was one of preparation. And when the time came, he led his disciples to Jesus. And yet even then, he did not hesitate to speak the truth and accused the guilty, even King Herod himself. And this led to his imprisonment and to his most gruesome and untimely execution as described in today’s gospel.

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WANTED: HEROES

August 29, 2022 by Eddie 4 Comments

This year on Aug 29, the last Monday of August, our nation will remember her heroes of long ago, men and women who fought for what they believed was our sovereign right as a people, and who braved death against all odds. Those that fight political battles are called heroes; those that fight spiritual battles are called saints. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had more heroes and more saints in our midst? A.W. Tozer in his book entitled Of God and Man, says, “The fact is that we are not today producing saints.”

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