Praying without babbling and donating to the poor without showing off seem easy enough. Loving enemies and giving to anyone who asks may seem excessive, and the Lord’s advice to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” seems impossible. By way of example, Jesus became vulnerable on Earth, loving and giving of Himself. People can do the same! If God seems to ask too much of us, do we tell Him what steps we think He should take or trust that He always goes the extra mile in leading us to eternal life?

In danger from drought and persecution, the Old Testament prophet Elijah took refuge in a cave. A voice told him that the Lord would pass by. Next came a gale, an earthquake, and fire, followed by the whisper of God sending Elijah back out into the world with a promise to provide for him. Jesus later called His followers "light of the world" and "salt of the earth." Even when pummeled by hardship, we have opportunities to let our faith shine for others. Like salt that seasons food, we should let faith flavor our words. On the Cross, Jesus instr

Finally, the Disciples realized that Jesus knew absolutely everything. When the Lord said that His friends would soon abandon Him, the words must have stung. Jesus made the point that He wanted them with Him, on Earth and in heaven. During Jesus' Passion, Peter denied Him three times, but the Risen Lord later gave him the opportunity to declare His love three times, too. Peter had failed, but the Lord reminded him to follow. The Holy Spirit helps! About a dozen believers in the city of Ephesus told Saint Paul that they had never heard of the Ho

Unable to bear all that Jesus could have told them, the Disciples still had questions. When the Lord said that He would leave them for a little while, they had no idea that Crucifixion would take Him from their midst. When the Risen Lord appeared, they realized that, true to His word, they would not ask Him how or why or anything else. They would single-mindedly and wholeheartedly rejoice! The Lord soon ascended to heaven, after promising that the Holy Spirit would come to teach them and remind them of the lessons learned from Jesus. The Holy S

Before His Passion and death, Jesus promised the Disciples that He would come back. No matter what, they should remain in His love by keeping His Word and loving one another. Reassuringly, our Savior said that they would stay connected to Him like branches on a vine. Later, Gentiles saw miracles and thought that Greek gods had come to them until Saint Paul shouted that He and Barnabas were human beings. On the other hand, Jews stoned Paul and mistakenly thought they had left him for dead. Why do we sometimes try to tell the vine grower, our hea

Events in this week's Scripture readings span from before the Crucifixion to the early Church guided by the Holy Spirit. When the Lord described Himself as the sheepgate, the Pharisees didn't connect the analogy to entering heaven only through Him. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus told the Disciples that they knew the way to the place He would prepare for them. That completely baffled Thomas, at least until Jesus called Himself the Way. The Lord left plenty for the Disciples to do. The Apostles and the Church proceeded to welcome anyone, Jews

People could easily see the multiplication of loaves and fish as a miracle and followed Jesus to see what more lay in store. When the Lord promised His flesh as the Bread of eternal life, however, many found the idea too hard to swallow. They left, not understanding that He can satisfy every need. Jesus asked the Twelve if they wanted to leave, too. They stayed because they believed. The Lord will not reject anyone who comes to Him hungry and thirsty, suffering the pangs caused by too little faith. When we feel overburdened, underqualified, or