Grow as a Disciple: Pray, Study, Engage, Serve

In today’s second reading, St. Paul reflects in awe over the “depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God.” God’s judgments are inscrutable, his ways unsearchable, he goes on to say. While on our own, we cannot know the depth of who God is and the beauty of his plan for us, we have been given access to this knowledge by the Holy Spirit.

Grow as a Disciple: Pray, Study, Engage, Serve

I have often wondered why Jesus’ words to the Gentile woman in today’s Gospel sound so harsh. The woman was simply asking Jesus to heal her daughter, as so many others before her had done. Jesus’ reply that he had been sent only to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” may have been true under the old covenant.

Grow as a Disciple: Pray, Study, Engage, Serve

As I prepared to become a teacher, a professor reminded me that the most effective way to command the attention of a room full of boisterous students is to lower my voice. Matching their volume only adds to the chaos. But approaching with a low, calm voice demands attention due to the contrast in volume.

Grow as a Disciple: Pray, Study, Engage, Serve

In one of the best homilies I ever heard on today’s Gospel, the homilist pointed out that the Lord had seemingly “over-multiplied” the loaves and fish. The crowds had eaten to the point of satisfaction, and yet there were twelve baskets of leftovers remaining. “Why so many leftovers? Did the Lord not know how to count?” He asked jokingly, of course.

Grow as a Disciple: Pray, Study, Engage, Serve

Today we continue to hear parables about the kingdom of God and the reaction of those who find it. The merchant and the person in the field joyfully sell all they have to acquire their treasures. In a world in which we have so many responsibilities, following God may sometimes feel like an obligation.

Grow as a Disciple: Pray, Study, Engage, Serve

There have been moments in my life when I have not been able to find words for prayer, which leaves my efforts feeling unproductive and fruitless. But prayer’s worth is not measured by the words we say. Prayer is the lifting of the mind and the heart to God.

Grow as a Disciple: Pray, Study, Engage, Serve

If you’re anything like me, you probably hear today’s Gospel and immediately try to identify yourself with one type of seed Jesus talks about: the seed that fell on the path, the seed that fell on rocky ground, the seed among thorns, or the seed in good soil. But have you ever stopped to wonder why the sower is throwing seeds so haphazardly? This is worth meditating on, too.

Grow as a Disciple: Pray, Study, Engage, Serve

In today’s first reading, Israel’s king comes riding “on a colt, the foal of an ass.” This is a far cry from the horses and chariots the kings of other nations rode into battle as they sought to assert their authority and subdue their enemies. But Israel’s king is not like other kings; he banishes horses and the warrior’s bow, proclaiming peace to all the nations.