A Glimpse of His Love

7th Sunday of Easter Solemnity of the Pentecost IN TODAY'S GOSPEL (John 7.37-39), the Beloved Apostle recalled Jesus speaking before the Jews in the synagogue during the last and greatest day of the feast. The Lord invited the people of Israel who thirst amid the evils of life to come to Him and be filled. Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.  Interestingly, the Lord did not invite those who do not thirst to come to him. And this lack of invitation has profound meaning to reflect upon. He did not invite them because either (a) they are self-sufficient in their lives and think they do not need the Holy Spirit, or (b) they are so close to the Lord anyway no invitation would be necessary. The first group of people believed they do not need a drink; the second are already drinking what the Lord can give. Above all that, the Lord sought to fill those who thirst. He came to bring everlasting water to those whose souls thirsted for God. Lord, I thirst for you all through my...

1st Tuesday of Lent Feast of Saint Conrad of Piacenza IN TODAY'S GOSPEL (Matthew 6:7-15) the Lord taught the crowd the right way to pray to the Father, the prayer Christians later named as the Lord's Prayer . He taught prayer as a child talking to his father. The first part of the prayer must be an expression of worship to the Father-- may your name be held holy (v.9)--and an affirmation of our commitment to follow His will in our lives-- your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven (v. 10). The second part consists of addressing our need for help to physically survive-- give us today our daily bread (v. 11)--to be forgiven for our transgressions-- And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us (v. 12)--and to be spared from the temptation of the devil-- And do not put us to the test, but save us from the evil one (v. 13).   The center of this prayer that Jesus taught his disciples is the love of God and our fitting response to...