Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 25:1–13
I cannot remember a time when I didn’t struggle with some level of insomnia. As a child, it was an overactive imagination and fears of nighttime monsters that kept me awake. Into young adulthood, married life, and motherhood, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 5:1-12
In the third grade, my son had a project about the beatitudes. His task was simple: memorize all eight beatitudes from Matthew 5 and recite them in order. For a nine-year-old, that is a tall order!
Because he inherited a healthy dose of competitive spirit from his father, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 22:34–40
Chapter 22 of Matthew’s Gospel should be called the “mic drop chapter.” The Pharisees and Sadducees take turns quizzing Jesus, hoping to catch Him saying something heretical so they can undermine His authority.
Spoiler: it doesn’t work.
Right before this Sunday’s gospel passage comes a ridiculous question from the Sadducees, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 22:15–21
One thing I love about writing these gospel reflections is how the Mass readings seem to speak to each other. What makes it even more exciting for me is when Scripture passages line up like breadcrumbs on a trail, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 21:28-31
As a teenager, spending a week in the mountains of New Mexico at church camp was the highlight of my summer. One summer, I not only came home with an invigorated faith, precious memories and new friends, but also a new fashion staple: the “WWJD” bracelet. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 20:1–16a
Remember back in high school when your teacher assigned you a group project? I’m sure you also remember that you didn’t get a say in who was in your group. You worked hard from day one to keep the project on schedule, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 18:21–35
I’ve been staring at this page for hours, trying to come up with the perfect hook—something clever enough to make you want to keep reading. I’ve got nothing. Maybe that’s fitting, because this week’s gospel asks us to do something Jesus makes very clear, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 16:13–20
I found myself falling into a pew before Mass, out of breath with my head spinning. I felt like I had to battle to get there—not only a battle with time, but a war waging deep in my heart. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 15:21–28
This Sunday’s gospel has always baffled me. I recall my first time reading this passage about the Canaanite woman who begs Jesus for a miracle for her daughter, and Jesus essentially calls her a dog. I wondered if this woman caught Jesus at a tough moment: perhaps he had low blood sugar. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 14:22–33
One summer, during a family vacation at the beach, my brother-in-law took us out on his speedboat for a fun day on the water. I was at ease cruising the gentle waters of Mission Bay near my home in San Diego, [...]
