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dying to live “He named twelve as His companions whom He would send to preach the good news; they were likewise to have authority to expel demons.” —Mark 3:14-15 This week we are involved in a series of celebrations of those who suffered bloody martyrdoms for Jesus. Saints Fabian, Sebastian, Agnes, and Vincent followed in Jesus’ footsteps, choosing to be killed rather than kill. Today we also recall the most disastrous judicial decision in American history, the legalizing of abortion in the United States on January 22, 1973. At this moment, the Lord challenges us to choose life (Dt 30...

anniversary of shame “Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry now, just as He is Mediator of a better covenant, founded on better promises.” —Hebrews 8:6 Tomorrow marks the 48th anniversary of the tragic Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the U.S. On this day a law was enacted that turned our nation into a cemetery, that turned the wombs of mothers into the tombs of babies. However, we have hope. Jesus “is always able to save those who approach God through Him, since He forever lives to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25). “The main point in what we are saying i...

sleepy head “Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was.” —1 Samuel 3:3 Will you sleep through 2021 or will you wake up and answer God’s call? Many people, even religious people, will tell you to “go back to sleep” (1 Sm 3:5, 6). Instead, you should turn to God and say: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening” (1 Sm 3:9). 2021 can be the greatest year of your life. “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor 2:9). Some of those reading this will die and go to...

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 what our condition. Jesus will never reject us no matter who we are, what we’ve done, or how we lo...

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 sinned, He “atoned for our faults and made satisfaction for our sins to the Father” (