Will You Lay Down Your Life?
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Tuesday, March 31, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
How many times in our lives have we bravely said we would do something, only to find that when it came time to put up or shut up, we backed down and shut up? We usually have the best of intentions; we are not lying when we say it. But when faced with imminent danger, our weakness wins out.
Peter truly meant what he said. Jesus knows. He also knows our weaknesses. Later, emboldened by the Holy Spirit, Peter will give his life for Jesus. Now He asks us, "Will you lay down your life for me?" Pray for the grace to say, "Yes".
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
The Poor Among Us
The Poor Among Us
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Sunday, March 29, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
What does Jesus mean when he says, "You always have the poor with you"? Is it some sort of approval of their lot? No.
Jesus knows the hearts of men. He knows that our greed, our lust, our selfishness often controls us. When we see the poor, when we seek the poor, then we see Christ. The poor are a gift to us.
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Sunday, March 29, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
What does Jesus mean when he says, "You always have the poor with you"? Is it some sort of approval of their lot? No.
Jesus knows the hearts of men. He knows that our greed, our lust, our selfishness often controls us. When we see the poor, when we seek the poor, then we see Christ. The poor are a gift to us.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
No Greater Love
No Greater Love
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Sunday, March 29, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
When we listen to the story of Jesus' Passion, we hear all of the events of a heroic love story: promises made to loved ones, betrayal by someone close, and finally a sacrifice - death - in order to save the ones who are loved. Today and this week, take time to read God's love story for us in each of the Gospels, starting with the one from Mark today, and picture yourself there as the ones whom Jesus loved - first, as each person at the dinner at Simon the leper's house, then as those who were to prepare for the Passover, and so on, through each scene of the story. Imagine how it must feel to be Jesus, who knows what everyone is thinking and feeling, and how He still has such great love for them that He will play out the story to its bitter, painful end. Are we willing to do the same for those whom we love? Are we willing to do the same for those who hate us, for the the love of God?
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Sunday, March 29, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
When we listen to the story of Jesus' Passion, we hear all of the events of a heroic love story: promises made to loved ones, betrayal by someone close, and finally a sacrifice - death - in order to save the ones who are loved. Today and this week, take time to read God's love story for us in each of the Gospels, starting with the one from Mark today, and picture yourself there as the ones whom Jesus loved - first, as each person at the dinner at Simon the leper's house, then as those who were to prepare for the Passover, and so on, through each scene of the story. Imagine how it must feel to be Jesus, who knows what everyone is thinking and feeling, and how He still has such great love for them that He will play out the story to its bitter, painful end. Are we willing to do the same for those whom we love? Are we willing to do the same for those who hate us, for the the love of God?
Friday, March 27, 2015
No Good Deed
No Good Deed
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Friday, March 27, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
There's a cynical saying that goes, "No good deed goes unpunished." So it seems with Jesus. In today's Gospel, Jesus asks those present, “For which of these (good works) are you trying to stone me?” Their reply shows that they are not interested in what Jesus has done for others, but only with the threat he poses to their current way of life.
How often have we been rejected for living our faith before others? For example, we risk "stoning" through popular opinion whenever we stand up for our faith, our belief in the sanctity of life, the sacrament of marriage, our compassion for those in need. What good works are YOU willing to be stoned for?
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Friday, March 27, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
There's a cynical saying that goes, "No good deed goes unpunished." So it seems with Jesus. In today's Gospel, Jesus asks those present, “For which of these (good works) are you trying to stone me?” Their reply shows that they are not interested in what Jesus has done for others, but only with the threat he poses to their current way of life.
How often have we been rejected for living our faith before others? For example, we risk "stoning" through popular opinion whenever we stand up for our faith, our belief in the sanctity of life, the sacrament of marriage, our compassion for those in need. What good works are YOU willing to be stoned for?
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Do You Understand?
Do You Understand?
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Thursday, March 26, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
There is a commercial on TV where a man holding a frog calls an insurance company and asks, "Do you have FROG insurance?" The agent responds, "Yes, we have FRAUD insurance." The man says again, "FROG insurance." The agent responds, "FRAUD insurance." Then they both agree that they understand each other.
In today's Gospel there is a lack of understanding of the word, "DEATH". The Jews think he is referring to the body; followers of Christ understand that Jesus refers to the death of the soul. In the face of the passing of a loved one, do we really understand that the soul lives on? As we approach Easter, let us always remember that the pain we suffer in separating from a loved one will be replaced one day with the joy of reunion through the promise of the Resurrection.
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Thursday, March 26, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
There is a commercial on TV where a man holding a frog calls an insurance company and asks, "Do you have FROG insurance?" The agent responds, "Yes, we have FRAUD insurance." The man says again, "FROG insurance." The agent responds, "FRAUD insurance." Then they both agree that they understand each other.
In today's Gospel there is a lack of understanding of the word, "DEATH". The Jews think he is referring to the body; followers of Christ understand that Jesus refers to the death of the soul. In the face of the passing of a loved one, do we really understand that the soul lives on? As we approach Easter, let us always remember that the pain we suffer in separating from a loved one will be replaced one day with the joy of reunion through the promise of the Resurrection.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
An Angel in our Midst
An Angel in our Midst
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Wednesday, March 25, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
Today we celebrate Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel, proclaiming great news - God is coming to us as one of us! But few people recognized the Good News, Jesus, as he walked among them for over 30 years. I'm afraid that we are just as unobservant today.
Every day we encounter angels proclaiming great news - usually without knowing it. More than just celestial beings, the term "angel" is used whenever someone or something intercedes for us. If angels are God's messengers, sent to proclaim the Good News, then we should be always watchful for signs of God's Presence. For it is there that we will encounter our angels, both celestial and human.
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Wednesday, March 25, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
Today we celebrate Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel, proclaiming great news - God is coming to us as one of us! But few people recognized the Good News, Jesus, as he walked among them for over 30 years. I'm afraid that we are just as unobservant today.
Every day we encounter angels proclaiming great news - usually without knowing it. More than just celestial beings, the term "angel" is used whenever someone or something intercedes for us. If angels are God's messengers, sent to proclaim the Good News, then we should be always watchful for signs of God's Presence. For it is there that we will encounter our angels, both celestial and human.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
What Happened to the Bronze Seraph?
What Happened to the Bronze Seraph?
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Tuesday, March 24, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
Trivia Question: What happened to the Bronze Seraph Serpent that Moses used to heal the Israelites in the desert?
Jesus compares His being lifted up on the cross to the bronze seraph serpent that Moses lifted up before the Israelites so that they might be healed of the poisonous bites they sustained due to their rebellion against God. But it wasn't the bronze figure itself that healed them; it was God's Mercy that healed them as people gazed upon it in repentance, just as our gazing upon a crucifix today doesn't magically heal us but calls us to repent of our sins.
So where did the bronze seraph go? Read about King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18:4 for the answer.
A Lenten Minute Reflection for Tuesday, March 24, 2015
by Dcn Bob Bonomi
Trivia Question: What happened to the Bronze Seraph Serpent that Moses used to heal the Israelites in the desert?
Jesus compares His being lifted up on the cross to the bronze seraph serpent that Moses lifted up before the Israelites so that they might be healed of the poisonous bites they sustained due to their rebellion against God. But it wasn't the bronze figure itself that healed them; it was God's Mercy that healed them as people gazed upon it in repentance, just as our gazing upon a crucifix today doesn't magically heal us but calls us to repent of our sins.
So where did the bronze seraph go? Read about King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18:4 for the answer.
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