VEYM LEAGUE OF CHAPTERS
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The dogma of the Assumption of Mary describes the full salvation of this prime disciple of Jesus. In the Apostles’ Creed, we speak of our hope for “the resurrection of the body.” Mary, assumed body and soul into … Read moreMonday, August 15, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, the statement of Jesus that we have in the Gospel for today is frightening: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” He’s throwing fire down, much like the God who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Okay, so how do we make sense … Read moreSunday, August 14, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in our Gospel for today, Jesus proposes that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like children. Why? For starters, children don’t know how to dissemble, how to be one way and act another. They are what they are; they act in accordance with their deepest nature. “Kids say … Read moreSaturday, August 13, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches about the sanctity and permanence of marriage. Now we begin to see why the love of a husband and wife is a sacrament of God’s love. The Father and the Son—while remaining distinct—give themselves utterly to each other, and this mutual giving is the Holy Spirit. … Read moreFriday, August 12, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the necessity of constant forgiveness. Forgiveness is an act and not an attitude. It is the active repairing of a broken relationship, even in the face of opposition, violence, or indifference. When a relationship is severed, each party should, in justice, do his part to reestablish … Read moreThursday, August 11, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, just after announcing that he was about to be glorified on the cross, Jesus declares: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” A … Read moreWednesday, August 10, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, one feature of today’s Gospel passage is the craziness of the shepherd: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?” Well, the implied answer is “No.” Who would take that … Read moreTuesday, August 9, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus prophesies his Crucifixion and Resurrection: “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” What enabled the first Christians to hold up the cross, to sing its praises, to wear it … Read moreMonday, August 8, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus urges us to be ready for his Second Coming. It reminds me of John the Baptist preparing us: “Make straight the way of the Lord.” He is saying that his job is to prepare for the mighty coming of the Lord. A change is coming, a revolution … Read moreSunday, August 7, 2022
Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel recounts the story of the Transfiguration. Here, the glorified Jesus represents the fulfillment of the Old Testament revelation, symbolized by Moses, representing the Law, and Elijah, representing the prophets. Let’s look at the two basic divisions. God gave the Torah, the Law, to his people, in order that they … Read moreSaturday, August 6, 2022