The Responsorial Psalm tells us the kind of conversion that gives us confidence: "A broken, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn" (Ps. 51). If we convert to being authentic disciples of Jesus, will things really get better in this world? Will it make a real difference? Jonah 3: 1-10 gives us reason to trust that it will. Nineveh (in modern-day Iraq) was a city so bad that Jonah actually wanted it destroyed. When God told him to call its citizens to conversion, he took shi

The Responsorial Psalm promises: "God will deliver the just from all their afflictions" (Psalm 34). But the verses make clear that God requires action on our part. Notice the words: "I sought," "look to him," "called out." It is when the just "cry out" actively that "the Lord hears them." Isaiah 55: 10-11 tells us three things: 1. The initiative comes from God. 2. God gives us life through his word. 3. God's word bears fruit. If we really respond to God's initiative by readin

The Responsorial Psalm is a key to the readings: "Your words, Lord, are spirit and life" (John 6:63 and Psalm 19). Leviticus 19: 1-18 gives the guiding principle of all morality and the goal of discipleship: "Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy." This is the law of all laws, and these words are truly "spirit and life." They give us a goal to aim at that is inspiring. And it is warm and personal, because the goal is to be like a person (three Persons, actually!) whom w

Discipleship is Remembering and Reflecting Inventory How have the celebrations in our society formed you? Has celebrating Thanksgiving Day every year implanted any attitude in you? Does the Christmas Season affect the way you think and feel about life? About other people? About God? Does celebrating birthdays help you to appreciate people more? Why do Americans celebrate the Fourth of July? Memorial Day? Do these celebrations form us as a society? Have they shaped any attitud

In the Responsorial Psalm we acknowledge that we are "afflicted and poor." We pray, "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may be faithful in your sight" (Psalm 86). Isaiah 58: 9-14 promises that if we will call our lives into question and try to conform them more authentically to what God calls us to be, then "the light shall rise for you in the darkness.. Then the Lord shall guide you always." God will not fail to guide us. But we need a little humility. We need to admit that

The Responsorial Psalm tells us we have to call our own ways into question if we want God to lead us into life: "A broken, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn." (Psalm 51). Isaiah 58: 1-9 tells us to quit playing games with God. We ask God why he is not coming through for us: "Why do we fast, and you do not see it?" We think we are leading good Christian lives because we do all the "religious" things we have been taught to do. Why doesn't our religion pay off for us? Man

The Responsorial Psalm assures us that loyalty to God will give us joy and happiness on earth - if we have enough trust to believe what God says: "Happy are they who hope in the Lord!" (Psalm 1). Deuteronomy 30: 15-20 assures us that the fullness of life and joy are ours to choose. No one has to lose out on life's opportunities, because fulfillment and happiness do not depend on circumstances, or on anything others do, but on our own free choice. "Today I have set before you

Inventory When did you last call into question the goal of your life? When is the last time you decided to change your attitude about something? Or readjusted your priorities? What is the last significant change you made in your lifestyle, your way of living? Do you feel you are going nowhere spiritually? In a rut of religious routine? Do you feel trapped by your job or family obligations? Is your stress level high? Do you feel you are caught in a rat race, have your "nose to