Page 6 - One Bread News Today

the approachable for the untouchable “A leper approached Him with a request.” —Mark 1:40 Lepers were obliged by the law to stay away from people so as not to spread leprosy. Lepers had to live in isolated places and warn anyone who unknowingly got near them that they were unclean (Lv 13:45). The leper of today’s Gospel does just the opposite; he approaches Jesus. Jesus also does the unthinkable by stretching out His hand and touching the leper (Mk 1:41). Jesus is approachable no matter ...

the human sponge “Jesus likewise had a full share in ours.” —Hebrews 2:14 Jesus had a full share in our human condition. This is a shocking reality. As St. Paul writes, Jesus, Who did not know sin, was made to be sin (2 Cor 5:21). He did not sin, but He took on our sinful condition. Jesus “was tempted in every way that we are, yet never sinned” (Heb 4:15), which teaches that He was tempted to murder, commit sexual sin, gossip, hold a grudge, curse, hate, etc. Although Jesus never sinn...

“complete in christ” (col 1:28) “In subjecting all things to Him, God left nothing unsubjected. At present we do not see all things thus subject, but we do see Jesus crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death.” —Hebrews 2:8-9 The more complete our relationship with Jesus, the better our lives. If we don’t believe in Jesus as God, we have missed out on life (1 Jn 5:12). If we haven’t let ourselves experience Jesus as man, we lose out on love. If we know Jesus as Healer ...

the gift of self “Then they opened their coffers and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” —Matthew 2:11 For most of the world, today’s feast of Epiphany is the most important day of the Christmas season. It’s the day when many people exchange gifts and imitate the wise men who gave gifts to Jesus. Today the Lord is calling us to give Jesus the present of ourselves, to prostrate ourselves before Him and do Him homage (Mt 2:11). Like the wise men, we should expres...

the end “Children, it is the final hour.” —1 John 2:18 On this last day of the year, you may look back on 2020 and see that many antichrists have appeared (1 Jn 2:18). It may have been a very difficult year. However, tough years need not be bad years. Even the most “impossible” year can be good. Even the most sinful year can be turned to the good by repentance, forgiveness, and total commitment to Jesus. “All’s well that ends well.” End this year by accepting God’s grace. Even...

innocence of the innocents “A cry was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation: Rachel bewailing her children; no comfort for her, since they are no more.” ––Matthew 2:18 As I sit writing, a glorious spring day beckons from outside my window. Earlier, a cardinal pierced the sun-drenched day with his distinctive song. New life is in the air. This scene contrasts starkly with today’s winter feast day honoring the Holy Innocents. We just celebrated the glorious Nativity.  God became...

the time of fulfillment “Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, uttered this prophecy...” —Luke 1:67 On this Christmas Eve, we stand at the threshold of the fulfillment of amazing prophecies. We may have been waiting for months or years for this, and this Christmas season will be the awaited time. Most of these prophetic promises of God may seem no closer to being fulfilled now than they have been for years. Some of these revelations you can hardly remember. It’s been so lon...

christmas presence “All who heard stored these things up in their hearts, saying, ‘What will this child be?’ ” —Luke 1:66 I hope you’re more excited than you’ve ever been for Christmas — more excited than when you were a little child waiting to open your Christmas presents. The excitement I’m talking about is not primarily an emotion but an expression of faith. It’s not based on Christmas presents but on Christmas presence. The Lord is present. We can see Him setting the ca...

the second presentation “Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord.” —1 Samuel 1:28 Because Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday, we should be thinking of what to give Him for a birthday and Christmas present. Since “the Lord’s are the earth and its fullness” (Ps 24:1), the Lord has almost everything. Therefore, it is difficult to give Him a present. However, we can give Him our lives, wills, days, future, and love. Lik...

hide and see “Let Me see you.” —Song of Songs 2:14 We’re hiding from Jesus. He’s trying to look at us, but we’re hiding from Him — whether it’s behind a boulder (Sg 2:14), a sinful, worldly lifestyle, or a veil of fear. It’s estimated that over half of registered Catholics in the USA hide from Jesus simply by not showing up at Mass on Sunday. We may be hiding from Jesus, but that doesn’t stop Him from looking for us (Lk 19:10). He loves us so much that He came down from heav...