Catholic Cardinal Reflections

September 8, 2019 - Jesus often used exageration to express his wishes, including today's exhortation to abandon your families to follow him. He wants his disciples to give up their false possessions, worldly values of little real consequence. The benefits of doing so are many, the closer connection with God can be had little by little.

September 1, 2019 - Jesus' message today is to be humble but don't use false humility, for God doesn't make junk. Humility is to focus on others and on God, not on yourself.

August 18, 2019 - Jesus wants your heart to burn with passion for the Holy Spirit.

August 11, 2019 - How do we respond to God's desire that we walk with him, especially in the face of disastrous events in the world? Deacon John suggests we employ the Lectio Divina for 30 days, wherein we meditate deeply but briefly on Christ's words once a day. A month should do it!

July 21, 2019 - Like Martha, busy with inconsequential aspects of daily life, we should be careful to focus on our God instead, like Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet.

July 14, 2019 - Loving your neighbor requires you to ask, "Who is my neighbor"? Sometimes it is hard to stop what you are doing to help another who needs it, yet that is exactly what the parable of the Good Samaritan is about. We don't get to plan when an opportunity for unrequited love will arise.

July 7, 2019 - Jesus sent his ministers out without provisions, spare clothing or money. They returned overjoyed with their success. We too must overcome our fear and be agents of change, bringing God's word to community- at work, in the classroom, at home. Be a disciple- volunteer, ask questions, step out of your comfort zone.

June 30, 2019 - In today’s Gospel, what is Jesus’ mission? It is to proclaim the Kingdome of God through Jesus Christ himself. And this mission is urgent- it can’t be waited for. Therefore, the discipleship that Jesus calls us to is urgent, everyday, and it cannot be changed, it is there for us. (Summary by Allie Lee.)

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ - When Jesus fed the 5,000 with loaves and fishes, why didn't he solve all of their problems, such as giving them something to drink as well? Why doesn't God always answer our prayers the way we want them answered? It is because God empowers us to be doers and love each other, but place our trust in him to guide us.

June 15, 2019 - From Fr. X: Congratulations graduates and Dads! Hopefully we have gained wisdom as students at Stanford. One wise piece of advice: Live each day in radical amazement at God's love for you, and give him permission to love you just as you are. But love is a bilateral relationship.