Matthew 22:15-21 The question asked of Jesus in the Gospel is set as a political trap. By saying “yes” Jesus contradicts the people’s privileged relationship with God and disavows their striving for political freedom. By saying “no” Jesus places Himself on the side of the Zealots who aggressively are seeking liberation against Roman rule. For...
Matthew 22:1-14 In this parable, Jesus reveals how intensely God desires the salvation of all people. Despite the deepest longings of God for us to know, love and serve Him, some still obstinately reject His invitation. The intentional rejection of God is a choice so entirely selfish that it merits eternal punishment. https://little-flower-2minutes.s3.amazonaws.com/28th+Sunday+A.m4a ...
Matthew 21:33-43 In the Gospel Reading, Jesus tells a chilling story about rebellious tenants. It is for each of us to give God the fruitful harvest He expects. If not, why not? https://little-flower-2minutes.s3.amazonaws.com/27th+Sunday+A.m4a LIVING AS STEWARDS IN GOD’S VINEYARD 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells an unsettling parable. A landowner...
Matthew 21:28-32 A late conversion always is better than self-righteous arrogance that one is beyond needing to change. Jesus comes to meet and heal the sick, not those who think themselves perfectly healthy and beyond God’s healing mercy. Actions speak louder than words. https://little-flower-2minutes.s3.amazonaws.com/26+Sunday+A.m4a SAYING AND DOING 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time In this Sunday’s...
Matthew 18:15-20 Today’s Gospel is part of a discourse which Jesus gives to His followers on the way disciples should related to one another. His words make demands that seem impossible in the hard-nosed contemporary world. Yet, we are called to make these words of Jesus real in our daily living. https://little-flower-2minutes.s3.amazonaws.com/23th+Sunday+A.mp3 STRENGTHENING FAMILY BY...
Matthew 14:13-21 Despite wanting to be by himself upon hearing about the gruesome killing of John the Baptist, Jesus is stirred with compassion when He sees the vast crowd pursuing Him. At Cana there was no more wine, then abundance. Now five loaves of bread feed five thousand with twelve baskets of extra food that...
Matthew 13:44-52 In the Gospel Reading Jesus tells more parables. All three stories are intended to sharpen our understanding of God’s Kingdom. Those who genuinely understand will not hesitate to get rid of everything of they own so to become increasingly poor in spirit which makes room to receive what God offers https://little-flower-2minutes.s3.amazonaws.com/17th+Sunday+A.m4a A TREASURE,...
Matthew 13:24-43 In the Gospel Reading, Jesus tells three more stories to explain further the meaning of God’s Kingdom. All three stories reveal something of the paradox: God’s Kingdom grows in a world that is at the same time a hostile environment. https://little-flower-2minutes.s3.amazonaws.com/16th+Sunday+A.m4a CHRISTIAN CONFIDENCE On the heels of the parable of the sower we...
Matthew 13:1-23 In the Gospel Reading, Jesus tells a parable by means of which He teaches that the Holy Spirit infuses life in the heart of the Church. https://little-flower-2minutes.s3.amazonaws.com/15th+Sunday+A.m4a PRODUCING FRUITFUL HARVEST In a makeshift pulpit slightly off shore, Jesus tells a story that is among all of his teachings that are best known: the...
Matthew 11:25-30 In the Gospel Reading, all who are worn out and burdened are invited to make their way to God. Rest for their weariness is found only by accepting Christ’s yoke. https://little-flower-2minutes.s3.amazonaws.com/14th+Sunday+A.m4a ACCEPTING CHRIST’S YOKE Today’s Gospel makes clear that a foundational Christian truth: the Father of Jesus would be unknown were it not...
