Word on Fire Reflection

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today we celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. We recall that, from the cross, Jesus pronounced this word to St. John: “Behold, your mother.” In saying this, he was giving Mary not only to John, but through John to the whole Church. Mary would be … Read moreMonday, June 6, 2022

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, on the evening after his Resurrection, the Lord appeared to his disciples and greeted them, saying “Peace be with you.” According to the Gospel accounts, the risen Jesus typically did two things: he showed his wounds and he pronounced a word of peace. The wounds of Jesus are … Read moreSunday, June 5, 2022

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, when Peter asks about the destiny of the beloved disciple, Jesus says: “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” Here at the close of John’s Gospel we can take this command to heart. What does following … Read moreSaturday, June 4, 2022

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. Thus the Lord gave Peter the opportunity to be reconciled with him for his threefold denial. What does the word “reconciliation” mean? It is derived from the latin term cilia, meaning eyelashes. To be re-conciled is to be brought … Read moreFriday, June 3, 2022

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus prays for our unity with him and with each other. The Church is one because its founder is one. Jesus compels a choice precisely because he claims to speak and act in the very person of God. Jesus simply cannot be one teacher among many, and therefore … Read moreThursday, June 2, 2022

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel is the high-priestly prayer of Jesus the night of the Last Supper. Here are the first words of the Lord: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.” God is, in his innermost nature, … Read moreWednesday, June 1, 2022

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, today’s Gospel tells of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. I’ve always been fascinated by Mary’s “haste” in this story of the Visitation. Upon hearing the message of Gabriel concerning her own pregnancy and that of her cousin, Mary “set out and traveled to the hill country in haste” to see Elizabeth. Why … Read moreTuesday, May 31, 2022

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus candidly tells his disciples that they will abandon him but that he will not be alone because the Father is with him. Then he encourages them: “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but … Read moreMonday, May 30, 2022

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus prays for our unity with him and for us to be immersed in God’s love. “I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.” We are not … Read moreSunday, May 29, 2022

Bishop Robert Barron Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us this assurance about answered prayer: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” If God cannot change, what is the point of asking him for anything? And if God is omniscient, what is the point … Read moreSaturday, May 28, 2022