Guest House Daily Reflections
Some translations of Rom 15:7 say “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.” Last September Pope Leo described what happens when we truly accept or welcome another person, especially if they’ve hurt us: “We make space for the other in our heart and life; we make time for them, listen to and support them.” […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
We’re accepted by Christ! He doesn’t simply tolerate or put up with us imperfect, limited creatures. We’re ACCEPTED – totally! The great Protestant theologian, Paul Tillich, said “Faith is the acceptance of being accepted.” What does this mean for me, do for me?
Guest House Daily Reflections
In Rom 15:7 St Paul says: “Accept one another as Christ has accepted you – for the glory of God.” The early Christian community was filled with people who had been enemies/strangers to each other: Gentiles, Jews, rich, poor, free people and slaves. All are now equal members of the one Body of Christ. “Accept […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
Most often we think and sing about love with romantic overtones: love is something we feel – for some people. This CAN’T be the kind of love Jesus means when he says, “Love your enemies.” I’ll never have warm, fuzzy feelings toward enemies! So what does he mean when he uses the word ”love” here? […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
February is the month of “love.” On the 14th we celebrate Valentine’s day, when we decorate homes with hearts, send cards professing love to those who are close to us. Jesus tells us in the Great Commandment to “love God with all our heart, soul and strength – and our neighbor as ourselves.” Is Jesus […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
Friday, Jan 30 From the beginning of the gospel Jesus calls us not just to believe in him, but to FOLLOW him. To follow, we need to GET UP from where we are (believing only in our heads) and MOVE, trusting that where he’s leading me will bring me not only closer to him but […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
Wednesday, Jan 28 An Advent responsory in the Liturgy of the Hours encourages us: “We are Christ’s pilgrim people, journeying until we reach our homeland, singing on the way as we eagerly expect the fulfillment of our hope. For if one hopes, even though his tongue is still, he is always singing in his heart.” […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
Monday, Jan 26 Often, especially as we age, we like to settle into what feels comfortable. We tire of keeping on moving on. Pope St. John XXIII while dying of cancer visited prisoners and hospitalized children. When asked why he didn’t just concentrate on himself and his health problems, he said, “I believe that while […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
Friday, Jan 23 The Magi in Matthew’s gospel are models of true pilgrimage. They respond to an inner call from God and set out not knowing where the journey will take them. When they keep their eyes fixed on the star (for us: Jesus in the gospels, sacraments, and prayer), they make progress – with […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
Wednesday, Jan 21 The epistle to the Hebrews tells us (12:1-2): “Since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and keep on running the race set before us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our […]