Children are usually still quite young the first time they have occasion to shout, “That’s not fair!” At some point in our lives, we’ve probably all felt the bitterness of unfairness. Today’s readings agree that life isn’t always fair—yet, unexpectedly, invite us to rejoice! We rejoice because God’s mercy is totally unfair: God lavishes us with forgiveness and love even when we deserve less.

Đối với tôi, sống là Đức Ki-tô.

“You missed the point,” we might be tempted to shout at the servant in today’s Gospel. His master had just forgiven a huge debt when he cried for mercy, and yet, when given the opportunity to show mercy himself, he instead acted violently and with retribution toward a fellow servant. Certainly, he had missed the point of his master’s merciful actions toward him, and suffered the consequences as a result. He missed the point. He is not alone, however. We all “miss the point” sometimes—we miss the point of God’s enduring covenant of love, and miss the mark in our call to live as though we are the Lord’s, for this is who we are.

​​​​​​​Dù sống, dù chết, chúng ta vẫn thuộc về Chúa Ki-tô.

The truth is, love is sometimes wonderfully charged with light and life, but it also often requires us to confront wrongdoing and injustice, to be patient and forgiving, and to work for peace and reconciliation.

​​​​​​​Yêu thương là chu toàn Lề Luật.

We are invited to reflect on the path of discipleship offered by Jesus in our readings today. Jesus, now seen by the disciples as Messiah and Christ, begins to describe most fully what this means: he will not march into Jerusalem filled with God’s power like a conquering general. His path is like that of Jeremiah; he will be rejected and mocked.

Ai muốn theo Thầy, phải từ bỏ chính mình.

When Jesus says to Peter “whatever you bind” or “whatever you loose” in today’s Gospel, he describes a distinct power that emerges from Peter’s faith in Jesus. The capacity to bind or to loose suggests a new ability, both to restrain or block forces that harm the community of faith, and also to release or liberate energies that strengthen the community.

Muôn vật đều do Người mà có, nhờ Người mà tồn tại và quy hướng về Người.

Khi Thiên Chúa đã ban ơn và kêu gọi, thì Người không hề đổi ý.

Đấng Toàn Năng đã làm cho tôi biết bao điều cao cả. Người nâng cao mọi kẻ khiêm nhường.

How do we encounter God in the midst of the trials and storms of our lives? Our readings help us reflect upon God’s presence with us in difficult times.

Just a reminder, here are the changes that were announced last weekend and will be implemented this weekend: (CLICK)

Xin Ngài truyền cho con đi trên mặt nước mà đến với Ngài.

Overall, there seems to have been a very positive reception to our outdoor Masses last weekend. We did, however, receive some feedback and requests from our different communities, so we will be implementing them as part of our ongoing Pilot Program. Here are the changes...

Không một loài thọ tạo nào có thể tách được chúng ta ra khỏi tình yêu của Thiên Chúa thể hiện nơi Đức Ki-tô.

A n old expression admonishes, “Be careful what you wish for.” Another one warns about money “burning a hole in your pocket” as you try and determine all the possibilities about how you will spend it. If God were to grant you a wish, what would it be? Our readings are about making wise choices and following God’s ways.

Người đón nhận Nước Trời cũng cần phải từ bỏ nếp sống cũ để sống đời sống mới trong sự kết hợp với Chúa, cũng cần phải dấn thân để chiếm lấy Nước Trời, bởi vì được lời lãi cả thế gian mà mất linh hồn thì có ích lợi chi.

Although the new restrictions have resulted in the closure of our church at this time, the Archdiocese is allowing Mass to be celebrated outdoors. With this in mind, we will begin a Pilot Program under these guidelines NEXT WEEKEND, JULY 25-26.