Point Loma, San Diego, CA
Point Loma, San Diego, CA
The English poet Alexander Pope wrote the phrase, “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Forgiveness is a difficult task. It is not weakness. In fact, it takes strength to forgive when we have been deeply hurt. Receiving and giving forgiveness is central to our Christian faith. We are called to mirror God’s unlimited forgiveness in our lives especially …
One of the most difficult and delicate duties of a Christian is fraternal correction, that is, to correct a sin-ful member of the community. It is because we are called to be prophets and to speak the truth. Truth will set us free. All of us are brothers and sisters in Christ and we are called to imitate Him who …
In the Gospel of Matthew (16:21-27), Jesus reveals the true meaning of Messiahship and discipleship. He must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. He teaches His disciples that He is not a triumphant Messiah but a Suffering Servant. He is determined to …
In the Gospel of Matthew (16:13-20), Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” The disciples already saw Jesus casting out demons, walking on the sea and feeding the five thousand people. This is a turning point in the life of the disciples recognizing the true identity of Jesus. Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son …
The encounter of Jesus with a Canaanite woman in the Gospel of Matthew (15:21-28) teaches the disciples and us about the universal mission of Jesus. He is the Savior of all nations. He is sent to reveal that God’s love and mercy are extended to all. He is the sign par excellence of God’s love. His love is inclusive and …
In the Gospel of Matthew (14:22-33), Jesus came toward His disciples walking on the sea. This is the revelation of the power and presence of God in Christ. Theophany is revelation, manifestation. God is made manifest to human beings. It is the initiative of God. It is the manifestation of the divine identity of Jesus. He is the Son of …
In the Gospel of Matthew (14:13-21), the miracle of superabundance reveals God’s infinite generosity to His people. The miracle of the feeding of the crowd is narrated by all four gospels. It means that the story is important to the Christian communities. God is never outdone in generosity. He provides because His love is everlasting and unconditional. The Psalm declares …
In the Gospel of Matthew (13:44-52), Jesus gives three parables that illustrate the Kingdom of God. They are the parable of the treasure buried in the field, the parable of fine pearls and the parable of the dragnet. They reveal that God is the highest, supreme good, the absolute treasure, the summum bonum. In the first parable, a man finds …
In the Gospel of Matthew (13:24-30), Jesus gives three parables or images of the kingdom that illustrate God’s reign. In the parable of the weeds among the wheat, it acknowledges the coexistence of good and evil. The slaves asked the master, “Where have the weeds come from?” They knew that the master only sowed good seeds. It is very significant …
The Parable of the Sower in the Gospel of Matthew (13:1-23) highlights the message of hope and confidence. It points to the growth of the Kingdom of God because of the promise of a vast harvest. Nothing will frustrate God’s plan. The Word of God will not return to Him empty. Parables are metaphors, comparison and symbols drawn from everyday …