Word on Fire Reflection

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus celebrates the trust of the centurion who asked him to heal his servant: “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.” We can say with the centurion that the Lord is a rock, a stronghold, a firm place to stand. … Read moreSaturday, July 1, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a leper. In our sickness, our weakness, our shame, our sin, our oddness, many of us feel like this leper. We feel as though we’re just not worthy, that we should keep our distance.  That the leper came to Jesus tells us the world about this … Read moreFriday, June 30, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus declares that the gates of hell (“the netherworld”) shall not prevail against his Church. And Jesus insists that this society, grounded in Peter’s confession, would constitute an army so powerful that not even the fortified capital of the dark kingdom itself could withstand it. It is fascinating … Read moreThursday, June 29, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that a tree is known by its fruits. In the fifth chapter of his Letter to the Galatians, Paul makes this very specific. He tells us that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control,” implying … Read moreWednesday, June 28, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel raises a crucial question about heaven and hell: Who will be in and who will be out? Origen argued that all people will be saved. For how could God’s love allow even one person to be damned? And St. Augustine argued that the vast majority of human beings were … Read moreTuesday, June 27, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel is one of the most psychologically and spiritually insightful remarks in the New Testament. Let’s face it: a favorite pastime of most human beings is criticism of others.  We delight in pointing out the shortcomings, moral failings, and annoying tendencies of our neighbors. This is, of … Read moreMonday, June 26, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, three times in today’s Gospel Jesus tells us not to be afraid. When we fear, we cling to who we are and what we have; we see ourselves as the threatened center of a hostile universe. Fear is the “original sin” of which the Church Fathers speak. Fear is the poison … Read moreSunday, June 25, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. From time immemorial, God has sent messengers, prophets, and spokespersons. Think of that whole line of prophets and the patriarchs of Israel. John the Baptist sums up all of these figures. In the Gospel of John, the Baptist … Read moreSaturday, June 24, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples not to store up treasures for themselves on earth but to store up treasures in heaven, “where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.”  St. Augustine once said that since every creature is made ex nihilo, it carries with it … Read moreFriday, June 23, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel gives us the Our Father. It asks that God’s will be done “on earth as it is in heaven,” but biblical cosmology sees these two realms as interpenetrating fields of force. Heaven, the arena of God and the angels, touches upon and calls out to earth, the arena of … Read moreThursday, June 22, 2023