Word on Fire Reflection

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, the story of the Magi told in today’s Gospel is a summary of the principal dynamics of the spiritual life. Watching the night sky with scrupulous attention for signs of God’s purpose, the Magi evoke the importance of alertness in the spiritual order. We must keep our eyes open to see … Read moreSunday, January 7, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel tells the story of the baptism of Jesus. The first thing we must keep in mind about the baptism of Jesus was that it was embarrassing. Here is the one that the first Christians maintained was the Son of God, the sinless lamb who takes away the sins of … Read moreSaturday, January 6, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Nathaniel recognizes Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. Like Nathaniel, once we make the decision for Jesus, once we determine that he is the supreme good, then every other claimant to supremacy must fall away. As I’ve argued many times before, every one of … Read moreFriday, January 5, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, two of John the Baptist’s disciples follow Jesus and encounter him. Jesus’ question to the two young men—“What are you looking for?”—is an indispensably important one. Many people go through life not really knowing what they most fundamentally want, and accordingly, they drift. The correct answer to Jesus’ … Read moreWednesday, January 4, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel reports John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus. One of the earliest descriptions of Baptism is vitae spiritualis ianua, which means “the door to the spiritual life.” To grasp the full meaning of this is to understand something really decisive about Christianity.  For Christianity is not primarily about “becoming a … Read moreWednesday, January 3, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, John the Baptist declares that he is the forerunner of Christ. Why, when we first hear of the adult John the Baptist, is he out in the desert and not in the temple, where you would expect the son of a priest to be? Well, in John’s time, … Read moreTuesday, January 2, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today we celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. St. Irenaeus says that, throughout the history of salvation, God was trying on humanity, gradually suiting divinity and humanity to one another—preparing for the Incarnation. All of that preparation was a prelude to the Israelite girl who would say … Read moreMonday, January 1, 2024

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel tells the story of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. The temple was, in practically a literal sense, the dwelling place of the Lord. In the temple, divinity and humanity embraced, and the human race was brought back online with God.  But the sins of the nation had, … Read moreSunday, December 31, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel concludes Luke’s account of the Presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple. The Presentation of the Lord goes on now in our churches, in our temples, at the Mass. We say that the Mass is the source and summit of the Christian life, for it effects even now, … Read moreSaturday, December 30, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel tells the story of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple.  The Presentation of Jesus, perfected on the cross, is re-presented every time the Mass is celebrated. The Mass is certainly a festive meal, the moment when God feeds his people with his very Body and Blood; but the … Read moreFriday, December 29, 2023