A Word of Hope

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.

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.

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.

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!).

God called Abraham to uproot himself and go to a foreign land when he was 75. Thus, Fr. James Marchionda, OP lets us know that in God's eyes, we are never to old to change and to become more than we are today.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP invites us to bask in God's love, banishing fear and insecurity. God knows us intimately, and has "counted the hairs on our head."

Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP challenges us to believe that God wonderfully made us and that God loves us, so that we can love ourselves and go out with confidence to do what God made us to do.

Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP challenges to think about where our treasure really lies with this simple test—what is the first thing your thoughts go to in the morning?

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP pulls out some of the meaning of the Lord's Prayer.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP asks us to think about why we do the good that we do.

Jesus tells us to "Be Perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Fr. Dominic Holtz, OP tells us this is not some impossible perfection, but to be like the sun "which rises on the bad and the good." We are to let our love and mercy shine on everyone we meet.