VEYM LEAGUE OF CHAPTERS
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today in the Gospel, Jesus describes the world’s violent resistance to the establishment of God’s kingdom. From the earliest days until the present, the community of Jesus Christ has been the focus of the world’s violence. The old principle of “killing the messenger” applies here. The Church will announce, until the … Read moreSunday, November 13, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel exhorts us to pray with persistence. This command is everywhere in the Bible. We see it in Abraham’s steady petition on behalf of the people of Sodom. We see it in today’s account of the persistent widow. We hear it in Jesus’ extraordinary teaching: “Knock and the door shall … Read moreSaturday, November 12, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel passage, the Lord compares the clueless behavior of our time with that of Noah. Listen to his warning: “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man.’” Those aren’t very reassuring words. … Read moreFriday, November 11, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus warns that he, the Son of Man, will come on a day we do not expect. What’s so frightening about the coming of the Son of Man? Why isn’t it just good news? Well, if he is the life, that life which is opposed to him has … Read moreThursday, November 10, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, when reading today’s Gospel passage, we shouldn’t be surprised that Jesus, at the climax of his life, came into the temple and made a ruckus. He was not just being a rabble-rouser. He was rectifying the temple so as to rectify the people Israel. When pressed for a sign, he said … Read moreWednesday, November 9, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel describes the obedience of a faithful servant. Our lives are not about us; they are about the King. We are built not for commanding others but for obedience. In the presence of the awesome lordliness of God—that mind and will whose grandeur we cannot fathom—we bow, we listen, we … Read moreTuesday, November 8, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus speak about faith. Faith is powerful, for it is a link to the reality of God, the power that made and sustains the cosmos. Sometimes, the power of faith is manifested in spectacular and immediately obvious ways. For example, there is a long tradition of … Read moreMonday, November 7, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, we see Jesus sparring with the Sadducees about the general resurrection of the dead. The discussion is an important one, since we Christians place Jesus’ own Resurrection at the center of our faith. What’s important in this Gospel passage is affirming that the resurrection is a bodily event. … Read moreSunday, November 6, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us to approach wealth with wisdom. Let me quote a sermon of St. John Chrysostom on the right approach to money: “Those who love money are fierce in the pursuit of it, like wild animals pursuing their prey. They betray, cheat, or exploit their closest friend … Read moreSaturday, November 5, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, like the steward in today’s Gospel, we must regularly take a hard took at ourselves. What are our strengths and our weaknesses? Where do we need improvement? Where are we not in particularly good shape? Is our prayer life strong? Do we frequent the sacraments? Do we participate in the Mass? … Read moreFriday, November 4, 2022