A Word of Hope

In a pivotal moment of salvation history, God reveals the Divine Name to Moses, the great "I AM". But Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP points out that Moses was just looking for a way out.

God called Moses in the Burning Bush and challenged Moses to trust that he would accomplish all that God wanted. In the same way, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP asks us to trust God first, knowing that we might not get an affirmation that we are on the right path until our work for God is completed.

Jesus said "woe to you" to those who witnessed his great deeds but did not heed them, so Fr. James Marchionda, OP reminds us to pay attention to the great deeds that people are doing around us each day, because these loving and often heroic actions of individuals are a living sign of our loving God.

Jesus talks about how we must love God more than your father or mother. Fr. James Marchionda, OP reminds us that we need to find a balance in our lives between faith and all our responsibilities.

Speaking of the parable of the sower, Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP exhorts us to let God grow our faith, like a gardener tending flowers in the garden of our soul.

Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP says that what Jesus told his apostles is true for us as well—if we follow him, expect to opposed, but know that he will also give us the grace to endure.

Jesus warns his disciples that they will face rejection because of him. Fr. Brendan Curran, OP reminds that this still happens today, yet we are not to amplify it by rejecting others too quickly.

Joseph (of "The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat") was sold into slavery by his brothers, but when the tables were turned and they were in need, he forgave them. Jesus sent out the disciples telling them to take nothing with them, no sack nor extra pair of sandals. Fr. Brendan Curran, OP reminds us that we all tend to carry around a lot of baggage that we need to put down if we are do the Lord's work, and we particularly need to learn to forgive one another.

Jesus sent the apostles out "heal every illness". Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP reminds us that we too are sent, like them, to heal every illness, not only individual sicknesses but social ills as well.

In today's Gospel, we see Jesus caring for those who are suffering, because they are like sheep without a shepherd. Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP points out that Jesus wants to do something new to help them, and asks us if we are open to God working in new ways to heal the brokenhearted today?

Fr. James Marchionda, OP advises us to take our troubles to God in prayer. God will answer them. Even if we do not get an answer just as we expected, but we will know that God is with us, helping. So bring your burdens to the Lord.

Jesus tells us, "Come to me all who labor, and I will give you rest." Fr. Jim Marchionda, OP explains that Jesus does not promise to take away our burdens, but to lighten them. Our burdens might remain, but they will feel lighter with the help of Jesus.

Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP reminds us that life is not perfect here in this world, so it is important to allow ourselves to mourn its imperfection, and honor that by periodically taking on penitential practices.

Speaking of the call of the apostle Matthew, Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP notes how God sees talent in us all that we don't see, and God trusts us and calls us forth to use these hidden talents for the sake of the Kingdom.

When Jesus forgives the sins of a lame man, people suspect that these are just empty words—and so he tells the man to pick up his mat and walk, to prove to them that they are not. Thus, Fr. Brian Walker, OP challenges us—do we think Jesus' promises are empty, or are we truly moved by them?

Citing how Jesus even respected the choice of demons, Fr. Brian Walker, OP reminds us that God respects our free will and offers us choices, so it is important for us to choose wisely.

Fr. Samuel Hakeem, OP assures us that, as the storms of our life hit us, we can find comfort by calling on Jesus who is available to us in the eucharist.

On the Feast of "Doubting Thomas", Fr. Samuel Hakeem, op assures us that our own doubts about the faith are not a problem, but an occasion to delve deeper into our own faith,

Echoing the words of Jesus, Fr. James Marchionda, OP challenges us to love God as much as we love our own family (love God more, not your family less), and to carry the cross of Jesus even as we deal with the others crosses that life gives us.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP speaks of God's extraordinary generosity. God goes out of his way to reach us. In the same way, we should be reaching out to those who need us.

On the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Br. Joe Trout, OP notes that these great apostles were not perfect people, yet in leading the Church they brought us closer to God. In the same way, we should not demand perfection from our current leaders, but should expect them to lead us all towards God.

Br. Joe Trout, OP speaks to us of God's surprising generosity, going beyond anything we expect or deserve, and he asks us to ponder the ways that God has been good to us in our own loves.

God credited Abram's faith as an act of righteousness. Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP asks us to think if we put our faith in God, and do we have faith in others? If so, tell them, and watch the blessings grow.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP asks us to think if we are like Abraham, who did not quarrel over riches, but shared God's blessings so that all might have enough (or are God's blessings given to us like pearls before swine!).