Food for the Journey Classics

Today’s Gospel tells the parable of the vineyard owner who sent his servants to his tenant farmers to obtain from them the harvest. When the workers beat the man’s servants, he sent his son – and they killed him. Who are the tenant farmers? We are. Our ancestors rejected the messages of the prophets and they killed Jesus. How do we respond to the messages? How do we till the “farm” God has given u...

In today’s Gosel, the blind man Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus to have pity on him. Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he wants, and Bartimaeus boldy says that he wants to see. He believes that Jesus can heal him. Do we approach the Lord with this same faith? And when our prayers are answered, do we remember to thank Him? Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12 Psalm 100:2, 3, 4, 5 Mark 1...

In today’s First Reading, Peter reminds us that we have been born anew – not from a perishable seed, but from an imperishable seed through the living Word of God. The seed in you is a seed of eternal life. Do you water it? Do you nurture it? Do you feed it? Do you cause it to grow in you by being open to the work of the Holy Spirit? This word has power for all generations forever. Enter in to the...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus makes a promise to His followers: anyone who has sacrificed to follow Him will receive a hundredfold more in return. But we must put God first. Where are your priorities? Is God first in your life? Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: 1 Peter 1:10-16 Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 Mark 10:28-31 Sr. Ann’s Books Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times More of the...

Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, a feast instituted by Pope Francis in 2018. Many of us need a good mother in our lives right now. Draw strength from Mary, because she’s right here for you and for all of us. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7 John 19:25-34 Sr. Ann’s Books Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary...

Please note: There are different readings this Sunday for the Pentecost Vigil Mass and Sunday morning Mass. In this episode, Sr. Ann reflects on readings for Sunday morning. We have arrived at the Feast of Pentecost. We are all part of the Body of Christ and we all have a part to play so that Jesus may be known. Anyone can declare that Jesus is Lord – but we must do more than simply say the words....

In today’s First Reading, Paul faces angry crowds for preaching the Gospel. He is comforted by the Lord, who tells him he must soon bring the same message to Rome. Paul had to pay a price for following Jesus. Believing in the Good News involves suffering and hardship – but the Good News will lead us to life in Christ. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Psalm 16:1-2a and 5, 7...

Jesus has a deep love for His Father, and He desires to pour that love out on us through the Holy Spirit. Do you allow the Spirit to dwell within you? Are you a tabernacle of God? Or are you separated by your sin? Go to Confession, repent, and renew your desire for the Holy Spirit. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 20:28-38 Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab John 17:11b-19 Sr. Ann’s Books...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus prays to the father: “Everything I have is yours. Everything you have is mine.” Do we approach God with this same devotion and humility? May we listen to that prayer and respond by the power of the Holy Spirit. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 20:17-27 Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21 John 17:1-11a Sr. Ann’s Books Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times Mor...

We are in the week approaching the Feast of Pentecost. In today’s First Reading, St. Paul meets some disciples who do not understand the Holy Spirit. He lays hands on them and they are blessed with the Holy Spirit’s gifts. The Holy Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son. And that Spirit is given you to lead you back safely home to the Father. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 1...

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. In the Gospel, Jesus promises us that He will be with us always – even to the ends of the earth. He assures us that we will see Him again. This is the truth of who God is and what He desires to give us. Will we put our faith in Him? Will we trust Him? Sr. Ann reflects on the Sunday readings: Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 Ephesians 1:17-23 M...

Please Note: Today’s Episode features reflections from Sr. Ann for Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter, the Feast of St. Matthias. Tomorrow’s episode, looking ahead to the Sunday Readings, will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 John 15:9-17 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus e...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises that He has more to give us, and that the Holy Spirit will help us to understand these gifts. It’s time to prepare our hearts for Pentecost. God wants to give us everything – how will we respond? Will we discard or reject His gifts? Or will we open our hearts to embrace the whole truth? God has so much that he desires to give us. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readin...

In today’s First Reading, Paul and Silas are arrested for preaching the Gospel. They are beaten with rods and thrown into jail. That night, an earthquake topples the jail and frees the prisoners – but they do not flee. Instead, they share the Good News with their jailer. The Holy Spirit wants to make a disciple out of you, just as He did with Paul and Silas. He wants to empower you to love your en...

Today’s First Reading continues the story of Paul’s travels. He meets a woman named Lydia, who opens her heart to pay attention to what he is saying. Do we do the same thing? When someone speaks, do we listen to their words, or do they go in one ear and out the other? Our fast-paced, tech-driven world gives us plenty of ways to hear people, but we don’t often listen to them. And do we truly listen...

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. Do you love Jesus enough to choose His commandments over your own wills and desires? If we follow our own will, it will lead to death. But if we follow His will, we will experience real life. And we cannot even imagine the joy and happiness that will be ours. As this Sundays’ psalm reads, “cry out to God...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to “remain in His love.” How do we do this? By obeying God’s commandments. God’s laws don’t exist to restrict our freedom or limit our fun. They are our path to a more fulfilled life. You have free will. But if you conform your lives to His word and His truth, you will enter into everlasting love for all eternity. You will remain in His love. Sr. Ann reflects on...

In today’s Gospel Jesus declares that He is the true vine and we are the branches. If we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit. When we work for the kingdom of God, when truly and authentically live for the kingdom of God, we will bring Him glory and accomplish great things through Him. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 15:1-6 Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 John 15:1-8 Sr. Ann’s Books Deepe...

Today’s Responsorial Psalm declares that the Lord’s friends make known the glorious splendor of the kingdom. What do you base your own friendships on? Are your friends, friends with God? You want friends who have the same priorities as you, friends who will encourage and strengthen you in your walk with God. Ask God to send you these kinds of friends. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 14:...

Following Jesus does not mean life is going to be easy. There are a lot of ups and downs in the path of discipleship. Moments of glory, but also days and nights of pain. But the world needs disciples who can walk through both the easy and the difficult moments – disciples who are confident that God loves them and is guiding them. Are you ready to walk this path? Sr. Ann reflects on today’s reading...

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus promises that He has prepared a place for us. He declares that whoever has seen Him has seen the Father. Whoever believes in Him will receive the Father. Jesus wants to lead each of us back into the Father’s arms – will we let him? Sr. Ann reflects on the Sunday readings: Acts 6:1-7 Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 1 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12 Sr. Ann’s Books Deeper Conversion...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that whoever receives Him also receives the Father. We are so beloved that Jesus calls us his own. We are all part of the family of God, precious in His eyes. How will we live it out? Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 13:13-25 Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27 Jn 13:16-20 Sr. Ann’s Books Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times More of the Holy...

In today’s episode of Food for the Journey Classics, Sr. Ann has a special reflection on Forgiveness. God’s forgiveness of our sins has set us free to receive all He wants to give us. All we have to do is repent and accept His forgiveness. We cannot do it on our own, but we can do it in the power of his grace and his strength. Sr. Ann has more: Acts 12:24—13:5a Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6 and 8 John 12:44-...

Today’s readings continue with Jesus’ promise to be our Good Shepherd. He will lead us – but only if we’re willing to be shepherded. We’ll be led to the living water. We’ll be led to green pastures. We’ll be led to places of rest and security. We’ll be able to grow and thrive. It’s part of what a good shepherd does and what God wants to do for us. Will we accept it? Sr. Ann reflects on today’s rea...

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us that He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. You are not alone in the world, because you have a shepherd that will come and save you. Ask Him to lead to you safety – every time you reach out to Him, He will continue to draw you closer to His heart. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 11:1-18 Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3, 4 John 10:11-18 Sr. Ann’s...