Daily Reflections of a Beloved Son

The Baptism of the Lord, January 9, 2022Baptism is the sacrament through which original sin is washed away and through which one is made new and become children of God. Although Jesus had no sin and did not need to be made into the family of God, He was baptized. Why? Keep reading for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Saturday after Epiphany, January 8, 2022“What is the job and responsibility of the best man? Someone who is right there with the groom. A trusted brother and a faithful friend. He helps prepare the groom for his big day, but not only that, he is with him on his big day and continues to remain with him afterwards. In other words, the best man is one who has the groom's back and who supports him in any way he is able to. The best man knows that he is not the star of the day; he knows it is all about the bride and the groom. St. John the Baptist refers to himself as the best man of the Bridegroom, Christ.” Keep reading for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Friday after Epiphany, January 7, 2022Upon healing the leper from his leprosy Jesus told him to not tell anyone, but instead we are told that news about this spread wide and far to the point where everyone started to come to Jesus to listen to Him and to be healed. But Jesus withdrew to deserted places to pray. Why did He do that? Why didn't Jesus stay and teach and heal the people instead? Keep reading for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Memorial of St. John Neumann, BishopWe often hear it said that “perfect love casts out all fear.” But honestly, how many of us can say we love perfectly? This perfect love has nothing really to do with us but rather it has everything to do with God. God is Love, and He is perfect Love, and He has loved us with this love. But, what's the point of this? God is love, great, and He loves us, wonderful. If it has everything to do with God, what does it have to do with us? Keep reading for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton“It is God who has first loved us, and any loving we give back or give to others is our response to the gift of God's love. In others word, God's love is the First Love, and He is Love itself. St. John tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son so that we might be saved from our sins. Love leads to action and oftentimes that action leads to sacrifice, but it doesn't end there. Because sacrifice leads to life.” Keep reading for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Monday after Epiphany, January 3, 2022St. John encourages the people to not trust every spirit because not every one of them is from God. I think we can relate to this in our own lives. Sometimes when we are faced with a situation we might have a gut feeling that something's not right and that it should not be happening in that way. We have an internal moral radar, one that leads us towards good and away from evil (our conscience) and we must use it along with the grace of God to “test the spirits.” But how? Keep reading for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

The Epiphany of the Lord, January 2, 2022Today we celebrate the visit of the Magi to the newborn King. The word “epiphany” really means “manifestation of God to man.” So today we really celebrate the manifestation of God to not just the Jewish people, but to all peoples of all nations as represented by the Magi. God has come close to us so that we might dare to draw close to Him. And it was upon a star that the Magi wondered and which led them to Christ. What was so special about that star? Keep reading for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Eighth Day within the Octave of Christmas, Solemnity of the Mary, Mother of God, January 1, 2022Happy New Year! Today the Church celebrates the final day of the Octave of Christmas and also Mary, who is the Mother of God. Although most Catholics don't think twice about it, how can we say that Mary is the Mother of God? This has been a topic of dispute for a long time in the Church's history. That is why for non-Catholics, it seems as if Catholics worship Mary, but that is not the case. Worship is due to God alone, but Catholics do venerate and honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus. So, who is Mary? Keep reading for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Seventh Day within the Octave of Christmas, December 31, 2021As we come to the end of this year, we reflect upon this past year. How has our journey of faith been? In his letter, St. John speaks of the “last hour” in which antichrists are luring the people away from God. There are antichrists in our world today, but sometimes they disguise themselves in ways that are pleasing to us. If today was the end of time and Jesus was to come again, will we be ready? Keep reading for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Fifth Day within the Octave of Christmas, December 29, 2021When Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple they encounter Simeon who has been awaiting the Savior, the Messiah. Upon seeing the Child, Simeon praises God with the words we pray at night prayer, the “Canticle of Simeon.” He also tells Mary some troubling news about Jesus and about her. There is a promise of contradiction and suffering. But this suffering is not without meaning or worth. As human beings we suffer, but as Christians we also know that our suffering is not just simply “a part of life.” There's something more to it. Keep reading for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, December 25, 2021Merry Christmas! Today we celebrate the day Our Lord and Savior entered into our world and took on our human flesh to save us from the flesh. He did so in a quiet way, in fact in a way that no one would expect a King to be born. Our God chose to enter into human history in the form an innocent, vulnerable baby in a stable amidst animals. Today, on Christmas Day, our God gave us the most precious gift anyone could ever give: Himself.Merry Christmas!

Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, December 12, 2021Today the Church celebrates the Third Sunday of Advent, commonly known as “Gaudete Sunday.” The word gaudere comes from the Latin meaning “to rejoice.” Why does the Church invite us to stop and rejoice today? What is it that makes us rejoice?Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, June 15, 2021Jesus tells His disciples to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors. It sounds crazy, but that is what Jesus said and it is consistent with the mission of the Son of God. But why should we do it? Why should we love those who disrespect us and pray for those who ridicule us? Just because Jesus says so? No, there has to be more. Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary TimeMemorial of St. Ephrem, Deacon and DoctorJune 9, 2021Have you ever mistaken someone's good intentions for something bad, only later finding out the truth? Jesus was seen as a threat by the Jewish leaders because of what and how He taught. Little did they know that instead of abolishing God's Law, He was really fulfilling it. Click here to read the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, June 7, 2021Today we hear about Jesus going up the mountain to teach His disciples and to give them the Beatitudes. Mountains are important places in the Scriptures. Moses went up a mountain, and Jesus went up a mountain. How do the two relate?Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary TimeMemorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, MartyrsWhen a Scribe asked Jesus which commandment is the first among them all, Jesus said it was love of God, not just in speech but with one's entire being. Unlike other encounters with Jewish officials, this scribe was genuine, and so Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” For St, Charles Lwanga and his companions, God came first in their lives to the point of sacrificing their own lives. What are your priorities? Who or what is first among all of them?Click here to read the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, June 2, 2021What do you do or who do you turn to when you are at your wits' end? Tobit and Sarah prayed that God take their lives. Sarah was also planning on doing something tragic, but something made her change her mind. God heard their cries of suffering and sent healing. God hears us, listens to us, and loves us. Hang in there. Listen or read below for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Memorial of St. Justin Martyr, June 1, 2021St. Justin Martyr was a Christian apologist who was beheaded for defending the Catholic faith against the pagans. All his life he searched for the truth and he found it in Jesus. He listened to the voice of God, to the voice of the One to whom he belonged, all the way to the end. In the eyes of the Romans, Justin and Christianity were defeated and put to death, but in truth, Justin rose victorious. Listen to or read the full reflection below.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, May 31, 2021What would you say or do if I told you that God is coming to your house today? Well He is. In fact, He comes to you everyday. After she was told she would be the mother of Jesus, Mary went to visit Elizabeth who was also pregnant. But, it was really God who went to Elizabeth. How so? Read or listen for more.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 30, 2021Today we celebrate Trinity Sunday, when we come to see and experience of God's love. We hear of the “Great Commission,” the final words and instructions of Jesus to the disciples. What does He say? What does it have to do with us? Listen or read to find out.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Memorial of Pope Saint Paul VI, May 29, 2021Today the Church remembers Pope St. Paul VI, an advocate for the preservation of the sanctity of human life. As humans, I think we all want to be happy in this life, but we must be in touch with the source of this happiness to do so. Our lives are precious and sacred because it is a gift from God, yes, but why? Listen or read to find out.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, May 28, 2021When the Apostles saw that the fig tree had withered, they were amazed, but Jesus challenged them to think deeper. Instead of being amazed or surprised that the fig tree had indeed withered, they were invited to a deeper trust in God and relationship with Him (so that they won't wither). For faith and prayer can do much greater things. Listen or read for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, May 27, 2021When Bartimaeus called out to Jesus others tried to drown him out. But he didn't give up. He kept calling out to Jesus and eventually Jesus calls him. Jesus asks him what he would like for Him to do for him. Bartimaeus wants to see. What do you think Jesus does? And what does that mean for us? Listen or read on to find out.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest, May 26, 2021The Apostles James and John asked Jesus for a favor: to sit at His right and left. This was right after Jesus talked about what would happen to Him in Jerusalem. They wanted to share in Jesus' glory when He would fulfill the role of the Messiah that the Jews had envisioned - a military leader who would free from the Romans. Jesus' life showed that He was not that type of Messiah, but rather one who came to serve and not be served. As His disciples and followers we are called to do the same. Read or listen for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Tuesday of the Eighth Week of Ordinary TimeMemorial of St. Bede the VenerableJesus never promised that following Him would be easy. Perhaps the Apostles at some point began to wonder what their sacrifices of leaving home and family might all be for and whether it's worth it. Maybe we can relate to this. Our lives are not easy and without struggles. But we believe in Jesus. Shouldn't our lives be at least somewhat “easier?” Listen to the reflection for more.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Mary, Mother of the Church, May 24, 2021Today the Church celebrates Mary as the Mother of the Church. Pope Francis inserted this memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the liturgical calendar 2018 to be the day after Pentecost Sunday. It is the perfect place as the Apostles was praying and staying with Mary after Jesus ascended into Heaven, waiting for the Holy Spirit. We are reminded that Mary is always with us, for us, and prays for us. She loves you, and she will lead you to her Son.Click here to read the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021Today the Church celebrates Pentecost Sunday — the “Birthday of the Church.” It is referred to as such because on that day the Holy Spirit came upon the people and gave them the grace and the courage to go and proclaim the Good News. We were also told that on that day 3000 people were baptized. Although this Pentecost Sunday happened a little short of 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit still comes to us today. Listen or read on to see why this day is so special.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 22, 2021As a child (or maybe even now!) have you ever compared yourself with others, whether with regards to possessions, freedom to do as one pleases, or skills and abilities? My mom always told me well you're not them. After being told what would happen to him, St. Peter asked Jesus about St. John's fate. What do you think Jesus said?Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 21, 2021This is perhaps one of the most touching scenes in John's Gospel. After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared several times to His disciples. Here on the shore Jesus was preparing breakfast and invited the Apostles to join Him. After eating, Jesus spoke with Peter. We probably expected Jesus to ask Peter, “What happened? Why did you leave and deny me like that?” but instead Jesus asked him, “Do you love me?” Jesus offers an invitation to reflect on who we are, who He is, and why we are here.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 20, 2021Has someone ever told you “God will provide” when you are worrying about something? Or maybe you yourself offered this “word of advice” to someone? Have you ever really thought about those words or have they become so routine that it comes automatically? Those couple of words “God provides” actually says a whole lot. To me, I think it is really a statement of faith. St. Paul believed that God will provide. Do you? What does it mean to you?Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 19, 2021From the earliest beginnings of the Church, there has always been the threat of division and separation. We can see this in the Great Schism of 1054 when the Eastern Christian Churches broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and also later in the Protestant Reformation, resulting in the numerous denominations of Christianity. Even to this day there remain threats to the communion and unity that Jesus prayed for us. How can we tell who are the wolves?Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 18, 2021If you knew that a certain decision will lead to hardships, would you go through with it? Now, of course I am not talking about obvious decisions that lead to danger like choosing to walk off a cliff or crossing the street when you clearly see a truck coming towards you at high speed. The decisions I am referring to are those that pulls on the heartstrings, tugs at the heart, and boggle the conscience. The decision of standing up for what is right and pursuing the truth. How should we go about these decisions? Listen or read for more.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter, May 17, 2021Troubles and trials are inescapable parts of the human life. Despite how much we may wish those difficulties could be eliminated, we know that they don't go away. God doesn't wave a wand and the troubles go away. Jesus lived in the world and had His share of troubles. We also live in the world and will have our share. But we will have Jesus with us. Listen to the audio for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 16, 2021At the Last Supper, during the final hours of His life on earth, Jesus prays. He speaks to the Father — not for Himself but for His disciples, for us. He asks His Father to preserve us to keep us safe so that we may be one just as He and the Father are one. Jesus wants us to share in the Divine Life, that which is Love. But, how can we do that now? Listen to the audio and read the entry for the full reflection.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter, May 15, 2021Memorial of St. IsidoreWhen we are baptized, we do not suddenly know absolutely everything about our faith. It is called a journey of faith for a reason. It's a journey and on this journey we experience a series of encounters — with the Lord and with one another. If we say we know all about God then we really do not know much! We can never really know all about God — He is eternal and infinite. There is always something more that we come to learn about God and our relationship with Him. Our faith is not simply a set of beliefs or rules, it is a journey of endless encounters that draw us ever deeper into the mystery of Love itself. Listen to the audio for the full reflection. Click here for today's Mass readings.

Feast of St. Matthias, ApostleToday the Church celebrates St. Matthias, the person chosen to fill the vacant office of Judas. The Apostles were very adamant that this person must have walked with them and Jesus from the very beginning — from the Baptism in the Jordan to the Ascension. The importance of “being” with Jesus is emphasized. Frankly, that's the most important part of discipleship. In all this it was God who chose Matthias. God chooses you and me too. We are chosen by God for a particular mission. Let us embrace that chosenness. Click here for today's Mass readings.

Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord, May 13, 2021Sometimes it can be a temptation to think that Jesus got up and left when He ascended into Heaven. It may appear that way on the surface, but that's really not the case. if Jesus did leave, why would He have told His disciples that He'd be with them always? Ascended does not mean “left.” When Jesus ascended He remained with us in a transformed way. Listen to the audio for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter, May 12, 2021For some people when they hear that word “God” they may think of some distant, far away being that is somewhere in the clouds who controls our fate and destiny. But we have no such god. Our God — the one, true God, is the One who knows us and loves us. He is a personal God, a relational God. Deep down man wants to be known and wanted. It is no coincidence that Our God is a God who knows us and loves us. Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter, May 11, 2021Whose voice do we listen to? The voice of the world that tells us we must strive for immediate gratification and do whatever makes us happy and feel good? The voice of prosperity gospels convincing us that God will bless us only if we give a certain amount of money to them? Or, the voice of God who tells us that all we need to do is to believe in Him? We are bombarded by so many voices, whose will we heed? Read the full reflection below.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter, May 10, 2021Memorial of St. Damien of MolokaiGod delights in you. God finds favor in you. God loves us. Oftentimes we look all over the place and in all the wrong places for love and affirmation, hoping that certain people or groups would accept us and make us one of their own, and so we change who we are. That is not love. They love not you, but what you have changed to become. But God loves you as you are — the good, the bad, and the ugly. St. Damien of Molokai spent the final years of his life ministering to lepers, the outcast of society. He delighted in them. God delighted in them. God delights us even in our own leprosy. Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 9, 2021We often hear of people loving, feeling love, feeling loved, experiencing love as if love is a thing, feeling, or concept. Yes, to our human nature and experience it may be all those things, but in its essence, Love is a Person. Love is God. Jesus Christ is love. Let's try to know Love so that this Love may truly be in us, and we in Him.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter, May 8, 2021Who and what people associate themselves with usually gives them a certain “name,” notoriety, or characteristic. As it was in the Apostle's time, so in our time today, being associated with Christ brings about the risk of being misunderstood, hated, and persecuted. This is because the ways of the world are so radically different from the Truth. Are you willing to be associated with Christ in this present age? Read the full reflection at the link below.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter, May 7, 2021Jesus told His disciples to “love one another.” He didn't just tell them, He showed them. He willingly laid down His life for them and for us. To truly love is to want to good of the other, even if it will cost us. Read or listen more about this love in the reflection. Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter, May 6, 2021Distinctions are not always bad but we make them bad. They can be used to highlight the goodness and uniqueness of something or someone, but yet we choose to use it to cause separation. At the Council of Jerusalem, it was taught that God made no distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles. What does this mean for us today?Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter, May 5, 2021What immediately comes to mind when you hear the word “glorify?” Maybe you think about people bowing down to a superior being who if they do not worship will strike them down. Jesus tells us something very different about His Father, Our God -— He is glorified when we bear fruit. What? Read or listen to find out what this means.Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter, May 4, 2021What are we willing to suffer for? Who are we willing to suffer for? St. Paul was stoned and left to die because He kept talking about someone he loved and was in love with — Jesus. St. Paul was in love with Jesus and the Gospel, are we? If we say we are, are we willing to die for Him? To be in love does not mean to be romantically interested, but rather in love with Love itself — God. Is Jesus and the Gospel worth the pain to us?Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Feast of Saints Philip and James, May 3, 2021Sometimes we need reminders about the things that have become routine in our lives, and unfortunately sometimes one of those “things” is our faith. St. Paul reminded the people who they were and who Jesus was and what He did for them. In the Gospel of John, Jesus told Thomas that He is the way, and the truth, and the life and reminded Philip that if anyone sees Him, they see the Father too. God gives us many of these “friendly reminders” throughout the day, but do we see them? Sts. Philip and James, pray for us!Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 2, 2021Were you ever denied a second chance or were misunderstood or not believed in when you tried to make things right? How often do we look upon others and judge others from our biases, and not looking at others objectively, seeing not the heart but only the appearance? Saul experienced this. No one believed him, but that didn't stop him from believing and preaching. How do we react in the face of adversity?Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker, May 1, 2021Today Beloved Son Ministry turns one! One year ago all this was started as an effort to evangelize while in quarantine and in the midst of the pandemic restrictions. One year later, the pandemic is still here, but the people seem to be better. Today we celebrate St. Joseph the Worker who worked tirelessly to provide for Mary and Jesus. We know that we can turn to him to bring our prayers to Jesus, because Jesus will never refuse his prayers.St. Joseph, pray for us! Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter, April 30, 2021Is there something weighing on your mind or heart right now? Is there something that is causing you to be anxious and worried? Jesus says to you, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Jesus wants to wash over all of those burdens and sources of stress and pain with His peace and love. He wants to, but will you let Him?Click here for the full reflection. Click here for today's Mass readings.

Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church, April 29, 2021Memories have powerful effects. Sometimes they paralyze us and sometimes they move us to do better. In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul speaks to the people, reminding them of their history and how God has really been with them and worked in their lives all this time. Do we see how God has worked in our lives?Click here for the full reflection.Click here for today's Mass readings.