Daily Reflections with Fr. John

When a person sincerely seeks God, even with questions, doubts, or weaknesses, the Lord gradually reveals more. Faith grows through openness.

The Church has long honored her as the “Apostle to the Apostles,” because the risen Christ entrusted to her the first proclamation: “I have seen the Lord.”

Jesus is truly here. Everything else flows from that.

Do we spend our lives asking God for more signs while overlooking the signs He has already given us?

Jesus is telling us something profound about God. God is patient. Far more patient than we are. We often want immediate justice. We want God to fix every problem now. We want evil removed now. We want difficult people changed now. We want our own weaknesses gone now.

A bruised reed is weak, bent, and easily broken. A smoldering wick barely gives any light and seems ready to go out. Most people would throw both away.

We can faithfully attend Mass, pray our rosaries, fast during Lent, and support the parish, yet still fail to show patience, forgiveness, or kindness to those around us.

God does not approach us with condemnation or harshness. He comes with gentleness.

There is a tremendous difference between being knowledgeable and being teachable.

Today I want to begin with two statements that have become incredibly common. The first is: “I believe in God… I just don’t need religion.” The second is: “I just don’t like the Catholic religion.”

Is Jesus truly first in your life? Are you willing to remain faithful even when it costs you something? Do you recognize that the small acts of charity you perform each day have eternal value?

This parable is not really about farming. It is about us. It is about the condition of the human heart.

Ask St. Benedict to intercede for us, that we may be people who listen attentively to God, trust confidently in His providence, and never be afraid to acknowledge Jesus Christ by the way we live.

Remain gentle without becoming weak! Trust the Holy Spirit when you feel inadequate! Persevere even when discipleship is difficult!

Jesus sends the Twelve on their very first mission. Before they have years of experience, before they have everything figured out, He simply says: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Mission always begins with relationship. The apostles are not self-appointed. They are chosen, formed, and then sent.

Has Jesus ever become personal to you? Not merely an historical figure. Not simply the Son of God whom you profess in the Creed. Not just someone you’ve learned about since childhood. But someone you actually know.

Two very different people come to Jesus with the same thing: faith.

There is a tremendous difference between being knowledgeable and being teachable. A person can know a great deal about God. They can study Scripture, theology, Church history, and Catholic doctrine. They can explain the faith beautifully. And yet, somehow, never allow God to change their heart.

Today our nation marks an extraordinary milestone. Two hundred and fifty years ago, a declaration was signed that gave birth to what would become the United States of America.

Thomas begins with a conditional faith: “Unless I see… I will not believe,” yet he ends with one of the strongest confessions in the whole Gospel: “My Lord and my God.”

Jesus looks deeper and begins where no one expects: "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." 

Where are the “tombs” in my life or community, places of hurt, shame, or exclusion that everyone prefers to ignore?

There were seasons in my life when Catholicism felt more like obligation than relationship.

Peter and Paul are like two pillars holding up one Church: one representing unity of faith and leadership, the other representing mission to all peoples.