Food for the Journey Classics

In this Sunday’s First Reading, we hear how St. Peter continues to preach the Gospel. He implores the crowds to be baptized and to save themselves from this corrupt generation – and he calls on us to do the same. There are two parts to answering this call. First, we must reject the values of the world and choose the values of the Gospel. And secondly, we must reach out to others to bring them the...

In today’s First Reading, Philip meets an Ethiopian man and shares the news of Jesus with him. The man soon asks to be baptized. Grace was working in the lives of both Philip and the Ethiopian, and they responded. Grace is God sharing his life with us, yet how often do we foolishly reject it? God sharing his life with us is what we were created for. God will always be victorious if we’re willing t...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that He is the Bread of Life and those who come to Him shall never hunger. So many of us try to satisfy our hunger with things of this world, but these things can never leave us truly satisfied. That satisfaction comes from following Jesus. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 8:1b-8 Psalm 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a John 6:35-40 Sr. Ann’s Books Deeper Conversion Ext...

Today’s First Reading tells the story of the Stoning of Stephen, the first martyr. We read that Saul consented to the execution – but soon after that Saul would turn his entire life around and become a witness for Jesus. It wasn’t too late for him, and it’s never too late for us. If we come back to Jesus, He will receive us with open arms. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 7:51—8:1a Psalm...

In today’s Gospel, a crowd is seeking Jesus and when they cannot find Him, they get into boats and head out across the water. Do we seek Jesus with this same fervor? And what do we want from Him? Jesus tells the crowd that they are looking for him because they want a food that perishes – but He can give them the food that endures for eternal life. May we also have the grace to ask Jesus for this g...

This Sunday’s Second Reading tells us that we have been “ransomed from our futile conduct” with the precious blood of Christ. He paid this ransom so that we would not have to live in darkness. Will you accept His gift? Sr. Ann reflects on the Sunday readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 1 Peter 1:17-21 Luke 24:13-35 Sr. Ann’s Books Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordi...

In today’s First Reading, Peter refuses to abide by the high priest’s orders to stop preaching about Jesus, telling the court that he “must obey God rather than men.” Peter and the other apostles are empowered by the Holy Spirit, which God bestows upon those who obey Him. It’s the same for us - God does not ration His Holy Spirit. You can have as much as you open your heart to embrace. Sr. Ann ref...

Today’s Gospel begins with one of the most essential, famous verses in all of Scripture. John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” Will you believe in Him? Your eternal life hangs in the balance. The world may think you’re crazy for devoting your life to the Lord, but it’s the most sane thing you can do. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 5:17-26 Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5...

In today’s readings, we see what happens when people grow in faith. God is calling on us now to believe in Him and accept His forgiveness. The gates of Heaven are open and thanks to Jesus’ death on the cross, we can have genuine hope. And hope is much more than wishful thinking. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 4:32-37 Psalm 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5 John 3:7b-15 Sr. Ann’s Books Deeper Conversion...

In today’s Food for the Journey Classics, Sr. Ann has more reflections on yesterday’s Feast of the Divine Mercy. It’s easy to make the mistake of presumption – we think that God’s mercy is so great He will forgive us no matter what. God’s capacity to forgive infinitely exceeds our own – but we must ask for it. We must repent of our sins first. God will wipe the slate clean. But we must first ackno...

In this Sunday’s Gospel we read the story “Doubting” Thomas, who said he would not believe in the risen Lord until he placed his fingers in the nail holes. Jesus later tells Thomas that those who believe without seeing are blessed. That’s us - and that blessing is there for us. Put your faith and trust in him and be blessed! Sr. Ann reflects on the Sunday readings: Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 118:2-4, 13-1...

Today’s First Reading continues the story of Peter healing the crippled man and preaching in front of the Temple. The same man who denied Jesus three times is now fearlessly preaching His name. Where does that come from? It comes from the Holy Spirit. Peter has seen how weak and poor he is. He’s faced it honestly. Now God can use him – just as he can use us when we humble ourselves before Him. Sr....

In today’s Gospel, two disciples meet Jesus on the Road to Emmaus. What follows is the greatest Bible study in history, as He walked them through the Scriptures and showed how He had fulfilled the Messianic prophecies. But they did not recognize Him until later, when he broke the bread. Jesus reveals Himself to us in the same way - through the Word and through the Eucharist. We need them both - do...

The Church calls for us to spend the next 50 days celebrating our Risen Lord. And we can celebrate it by thanking Him for dying for us. You are going to live forever - the question is: where? Do you want to live with the Lord eternally? Then say yes and follow Him. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 2:36-41 Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22 John 20:11-18 Sr. Ann’s Books Deeper Conversion Extr...

The tomb is empty and Jesus is alive! During this Easter season, God wants to reach you the power of the Resurrection. It will turn your life upside down - but it will bring you life as you have never known it. It will bring you hope. It will enable you to love your enemies. The love between the Father and the Son dwells in you. This is your life! Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Acts 2:14, 2...

The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus are not past events. When it comes to the work of Christ on Earth, it is always now. God is saving us now. He is raising us from the dead now. His actions are forever new. He sacrificed his life that you might not die in your sin, that you might have eternal life. Take some time today to read through the Passion narratives and to say Yes once again to Jesu...

In today’s Gospel for Holy Thursday, Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. He wants to wash your feet as well. It’s a great act of humility on our part. Jesus wants to wash us clean of sin. How will you respond? Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15 Sr. Ann’s Books Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for...

In Holy Week we see two of Jesus’ friends make very different decisions. Peter and Judas both betray Jesus, but their subsequent decisions take them down very different paths. Which path are you going on? One leads to death, one leads to life. Are you going to follow Jesus? Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34 Matthew 26:14-25 Sr. Ann’s Books Deep...

Today’s first reading talks about being a light to the nations. Jesus says He is the light of the world and if we believe in Him we will not walk in darkness. Have you chosen the Messiah as the light you will follow? Jesus’ light is the only one that allows us to see clearly. All human light is insufficient. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Isaiah 49:1-6 Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17...

Have you ever thought of Holy Week as a time for Thanksgiving? We should all take special time this week to thank Jesus for what He has done for us. Ask yourself - how would my life be different if I did not know Jesus? What choices would I have made if I did not know him? How has he saved me in a sense? How has he preserved me? How has he protected me? Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Isaiah...

Palm Sunday is here and Holy Week is upon us. It’s an opportunity for us to join Christ in His sufferings. He died for every one of us, and by accepting His Grace, we can ease His pain. If you’re suffering from something today, offer up that pain. Ask the Lord to bear it with you. The day will come when we will see the beauty of our suffering and what it produced. Sr. Ann reflects on this Sunday’s...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Pharisees that anyone who keeps His word will never see death. They are confused by this and eventually try to stone Him. We can fall into this same trap – doing Jesus’ work without truly being His disciple. We can lead people to ourselves rather than to Christ. Ask the Lord to bring you to deeper conversion so that you may grow in the love and knowledge of God....

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation. With one simple word, one simple act of obedience, Mary changed the course of human history. Ask Mary to help you follow her example and be obedient as she was. May your life be lived according to God’s word. Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11 Hebrews 10:4-10 Luke 1:26-38 A Woman Wrapped in Si...

In today’s Gospel, we see the Pharisees’ blindness on full display. They reject Jesus’ words and refuse to open their hearts to the truth. We often act the same way – blinded by our pride and sin to the ways God’s grace is working in our lives. Examine your life for ways you are acting like a Pharisee. God wants to give us the Fullness of life – let him bless you! Sr. Ann reflects on today’s readi...

In today’s Gospel, Jesus meets a woman caught in adultery. He challenges anyone in the crowd who is without sin to cast the first stone. When they leave, He says that He does not condemn her either and tells her to go and sin no more. We, too, are sinners – and the Lord forgives us just as He forgave the woman. We will never be sinless, but if we repent and acknowledge our sin, God will continue t...