Word on Fire Reflection

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus is rejected by the people of his own town. For as he says, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place.” But he astounded crowds throughout Galilee because he taught with authority. As far as we can determine, Jesus was not formally trained in … Read moreWednesday, February 1, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel tells of the raising of the daughter of Jairus. Jesus continues his assault on death, upbraiding the people for their ostentatious moaning and mourning. He is impatient with the whole culture of death, all that has grown up around the supposed finality of death. And this is why he … Read moreTuesday, January 31, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus goes into the country of the Gerasenes and is confronted by a man with an unclean spirit, who is chained and living among the tombs. Why has the man been chained? Is he there on the outskirts of the town for a reason? Philosopher René Girard has … Read moreMonday, January 30, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, our Gospel for today is one of the most beautiful and important in the New Testament: the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, the eight Beatitudes. Why is it so important? Because it is the Son of God telling us how to be happy. It is the one who can’t … Read moreSunday, January 29, 2023

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 28, 2023

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 27, 2023

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus says the measure that you use will be measured out to you. He is speaking about the loop of grace. God’s love can truly dwell in us only in the measure that we give it away. If we try to cling to it, it will never work … Read moreThursday, January 26, 2023

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 moreWednesday, January 25, 2023

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 24, 2023

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 23, 2023