FRESHImage Sunday Gospel Reflections with Tony Crescio

In his Gospel reflection for Palm Sunday, Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) focuses on the two figures of Judas and Peter. As he explains, these two figures are tragic in their own ways, yet have much to teach us about what we have been created for as creatures created in God's image. Most basically, life is not about us, and when we live as though it were we will necessarily lose ourse...

In his Gospel reflection for the 5th Sunday of Lent, Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) focuses on what the exile experience of the People of Israel has to teach us about life this side of eternity. Just as the People of Israel experienced a spiritual death in being exiled, so too sin results in the spiritual death of the soul and, ultimately, bodily death that brings our time in this li...

In this reflection on the 4th Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday, Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) highlights the central importance of attentive listening in the Christian life. Only when we heed Christ's call to us do we become fully enlivened and allow His life to permeate us and spill over into the world, which is a great cause for rejoicing. Music by Bjorn Lynne Check us out at freshi...

In this reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) examines Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman. As Tony explains, in this encounter, Jesus teaches us that it is only by being honest about our sinfulness that we can be healed from it and enter more deeply into relationship with God. When we do, we become, as Jesus told the Samaritan woman, springs of...

In this reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) explores the call of Abram, contrasting it with the episodes of the Fall and the Tower of Babel. Whereas our first parents and the people of Babel intentionally turned away from God in pride, Abram humbly obeys the call of God. In this Abram sets out on journey wherein he is slowly transformed by growing in...

In this reflection for the 1st Sunday of Lent, Tony Crescio ( @anthonycrescio ) discusses the temptations of Adam and Eve in the Garden in the revelatory light of Christ's temptation in the desert. As Tony explains, by assuming our human nature, Christ takes up the human story in a corrective mode such that through His life, we are drawn back up into the life of God. In this way, the Incarnate Son...

Friends, on this 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Jesus reveals to us the plan which God has for the human creature. As Tony Crescio ( @anthonycrescio ) explains, Jesus does this by revealing to us more details as to how to live a fully human life, and thereby pursue ultimate happiness. Jesus isn’t merely suggesting an ethical paradigm, as Divine Lawgiver, he is making a statement of reality. And toda...

In today's Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Our Lord calls us to be the salt and light of the world. As Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) explains, when we attend to these images carefully, it becomes clear that today Jesus calls us to participate in His work of transforming the world into the Kingdom of God by drawing it closer to the life of God. Music by Bjorn Lynne Chec...

On this Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time we are invited to listen to Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount. As Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) explains, the Beatitudes are not simply nice characteristics to aspire to, but a program for becoming more like Christ. Music by Bjorn Lynne Check us out at freshimage.org and become a subscriber to receive updates directly to your inbox. Follow us on:...

On this 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, our readings invite us to explore the identity and mission of the Incarnate Son still further by carefully attending to the call of His first Apostles. As Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) explains, when we do, we find that Jesus intends to draw all to saving communion with God beginning at the existential peripheries with those who have been deemed...

On this Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, St. John the Baptist points to Jesus as the definitive Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world through His sacrifice. However, as Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) explains, the sacrifice of the Lamb of God saves us not by our passive reception, but rather by our active participatory imitation of His life. Music by Bjorn Lynne Check us ou...

As we participate in the great celebration of Christmas, Tony Crescio (  ⁨@anthonycrescio⁩  ) reminds us of the importance of understanding the gift God desires to give us in order that we might receive it in its fullness. Music by Bjorn Lynne Check us out at freshimage.org and become a subscriber to receive updates directly to your inbox. Follow us on: Facebook: @FRIMAGE X: @FImage354 I...

On this Fourth and final Sunday of Advent, Tony Crescio (  ⁨@anthonycrescio⁩  ) highlights the contrast between King Ahaz and St. Joseph. As he explains, the difference in the two is a matter of faith. King Ahaz's lack of faith prevents him from carrying out his role in the drama of salvation, while St. Joseph's authentic faith enables him to play a crucial role in the salvation of the h...

The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. As Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) explains, the intent of this Sunday is a reminder of the Christmas Joy we will experience at the birth of the Savior, amidst the penitential and ascetical practices we undertake as we prepare for His arrival. Music by Bjorn Lynne Check us out at freshimage.org and become a subscriber to receive u...

The Immaculate Conception is a very poorly understood doctrine of the Catholic Faith. To be sure, the teaching is not without some conceptual difficulties. However, as Tony Crescio (  ⁨@anthonycrescio⁩  ) explains, at its most basic, the doctrine proclaims the unique way Mary of Nazareth was saved by the same means we all are, by the Paschal Mystery of her beloved son, the Son of God Inc...

On this Second Sunday of Advent, Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) attends to the Baptist's call to repentance in relation to Isaiah's depiction of the radical transformation that will take place with the Messiah's arrival. As he explains, during the Season of Advent we ought to respond to the Baptist's call in order to be prepared to participate in the renewal of all things effected by...

On this First Sunday of Advent, Tony Crescio ( ⁨@anthonycrescio⁩ ) discusses God's plan of salvation for the human family. As he explains, God's salvific action is centered upon the mission of the Incarnate Son, but includes a role for each and every single member of Christ's Body, the Church, as well. Music by Bjorn Lynne Check us out at freshimage.org and become a subscriber to receive updates d...

As we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Tony Crescio (  ⁨@anthonycrescio⁩  ) discusses how Jesus Christ reigns as King of the Universe. As he explains, Jesus reigns not as an earthly king who demands allegiance, but rather as a Lover Who desires to awaken love in the hearts of those He gave His life to save for eternal life with Him. Music by Bjorn L...

In his Gospel reflection for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Tony Crescio (  ⁨@anthonycrescio⁩  ) discusses the Prophet Malachi's strong denunciation of those who fail to live out their covenantal relationship with God before turning to explore how Jesus' life both exemplifies and enables us to live in right relationship with God despite the challenges we face from the world. Music by...

In his reflection for the Solemnity of All Saints, Tony Crescio (  ⁨@anthonycrescio⁩  ) explains how the lives of all the saints point us towards the fulfillment of our deepest desire as human creatures, happiness. Music by Bjorn Lynne Check us out at freshimage.org and become a subscriber to receive updates directly to your inbox. Follow us on: Facebook: @FRIMAGE X: @FImage354 Instagram...

In his Gospel reflection for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Tony Crescio (  ⁨@anthonycrescio⁩  ) discusses the two examples Jesus sets before us in His parable this weekend, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. As he explains, the two men exemplify two completely different trajectories in life through their respective prayers, one declares himself self-sufficient while the other humbly...

In his Gospel reflection for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Tony Crescio (@anthonycrescio) discusses Jesus' confusing response to the Apostles' request for an increase in faith. As he explains, on the one hand, Jesus is emphasizing the power of the virtue of faith, while on the other, telling us that He has already taught us that the way to deepen our faith is living in imitation of Him. Music...

Our readings for this 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time seem to undermine the efforts of hard work. However, as Tony Crescio (  ⁨@anthonycrescio⁩  ) explains, the emphasis on spiritual detachment in our readings for this weekend are not meant to undermine work, but instead provide directionality to our efforts. Music by Bjorn Lynne Check us out at freshimage.org and become a subscriber to rec...

On today's celebration of the 4th Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, Jesus tells us that He Is the Good Shepherd, and that His sheep hear His voice, know, and follow Him. In his reflection, Tony Crescio (  ⁨@anthonycrescio⁩  ) discusses how we can know we are hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd in a world with so many voices vying for our attention. Music by Bjorn L...

On this 3rd Sunday of Easter, we are invited to witness an intimate conversation between the Resurrected Christ and Peter, the Apostle. As Tony Crescio (  @anthonycrescio  ) explains, this exchange teaches us that conversion always simultaneously coincides with a call to mission, and that it is by faithfully living out the mission God calls each of us to that we become the singular image...