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Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Today, known as "Spy Wednesday," commemorates the day of betrayal when Judas agreed to hand Jesus over to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver (the price of a slave at that time). The Gospel of Matthew narrates this event. We learn that Judas was seeking an opportunity to betray his master. We also learn how Jesus planned to celebrate His last Passover supper with his disciples in a house prearranged by Him. During the meal, Jesus declared that one of his disciples would betray him and hinted that it was Judas.
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In his article, "The Fragrance of the Ointment," J.R. Miller says that the fragrance of Mary of Bethany's ointment that filled the house is a beautiful symbol of Mary's life. "She was not an active follower of Christ, except in her home and quiet daily life. She did not leave all and go with Him, as some other women and men did. Her name is not connected, even in tradition, with anything startling or great. Our first glimpse of her is her sitting at the Master's feet as a learner. Into her heart, she received the words of the Master, which were life to her. Like a handful of spices, they fell into her heart and transformed her life into radiant beauty."
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
“Denounce! Let us denounce him!” – “Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail and take our vengeance on him.” These are words we hear in the reading of the prophet Jeremiah's report about his friends and close associates. They wanted the prophet destroyed. In the Gospel, we have also heard Jesus faced similar challenges from his own people. They wanted him dead.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
As I read and re-read today’s first reading from Genesis, I couldn’t help but notice that it was a great deal for Abram and his descendants in perpetuity. With just one condition: they had to keep God’s covenant. In Genesis, five sentences describe the incredible life-changing benefits God promised Abram.
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The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the story of three young men whom the king wanted to be burned but who were delivered from the furnace, is a story of faithfulness. These men refused to bow down and worship an idol. They were threatened with death, but they stood by their principles. As a result, God rescued them for their faithfulness.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
Today, we celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph. My guess is that we all know someone named Joseph, most of whom we call Joe. I’ve been blessed by knowing both good laymen and priests by that name, and each, in their own way, embody the virtue and holiness of Joseph.
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