Word on Fire Reflection

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in this wonderful story of the calming of the storm at sea, we witness the spiritual dynamics of fear and trust. Making their way across the lake, the disciples stand symbolically for all of us journeying through life. When they confront the mighty waves, they are immediately filled with terror. Similarly, … Read moreSaturday, January 27, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, our Gospel for today features the parable of the mustard seed. How does God tend to work? From the very small to the very great—and by a slow, gradual process. God tends to operate under the radar, on the edges of things, quietly, clandestinely, not drawing attention to himself.  C.S. Lewis … Read moreFriday, January 26, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today in our Gospel, Jesus commissions the Apostles to evangelize all people: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” To evangelize is to proclaim Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead. When this kerygma, this Paschal Mystery, is not at the heart of the project, … Read moreThursday, January 25, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the sower. In this famous story of the sower, we focus on the different types of soil and apply them symbolically to ourselves. Now, there is nothing wrong with this interpretation as far as it goes, but I think that it misses what … Read moreWednesday, January 24, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus identifies as his mother and brothers those who do the will of God. The proper attitude in the presence of the saving God is obedience and acquiescence, imitating his moves, responding to his commands, doing whatever he tells us. To live the good life is not finally … Read moreTuesday, January 23, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, scribes accuse Jesus of driving out demons by Beelzebul—by Satan. The two great names of the devil in the Bible are “the accuser” and “the scatterer.” Both are operative and visible in this story. And this helps us immensely to understand Jesus and his work.  We see in … Read moreMonday, January 22, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, our Gospel today is Jesus’ inaugural address, setting the tone for the whole of his preaching. Mark tells us that he was proclaiming the Good News of God, and that this was “the time of fulfillment.”  Something was being brought to completion. What was it? It was everything that the Old … Read moreSunday, January 21, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, relatives of Jesus claim that he is mad. In cases like this, the basic problem is always the fearful ego. Ego addicts know that sometimes the best defense is a good offense. If you want to protect the ego and its prerogatives, you must oppress and demoralize those … Read moreSaturday, January 20, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today in the Gospel, Jesus gathers his disciples. And he appoints twelve Apostles “that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach.” St. Thérèse of Lisieux tells us that she endeavored to write down her spiritual memoir at the prompting of her sister, who was also … Read moreFriday, January 19, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus cures so many people that he has to climb into a boat to escape the press of the crowd. To this day, the Church carries on his gracious healing ministry.  We recall that the Apostles of Jesus simply continued what the Master did. And one of the … Read moreThursday, January 18, 2024