Pauline Sisters Daily Reflections

 Gospel Lk 2:16-21 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,   and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this,   they made known the message   that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed   by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things,   reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned,   glorifying and praising God   for all they had heard and seen,   just as it had been told to them.   When eight days were completed for his circumcision,   he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel   before he was conceived in the womb. Reflections : “Mary kept all these things in her heart and pondered them.” This profoundly reveals the heart of Mary that treasured the sublime mystery surrounding the birth of her God-Son; and the mystery that intertwined her own life from the m...

 Gospel Jn 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word,     and the Word was with God,     and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came to be through him,     and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life,     and this life was the light of the human race;     the light shines in the darkness,     and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light,  so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world,     and the world came to be through him,     but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own,     but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him     he gave power to become children of God,...

 Gospel: Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a ...

 Gospel : Lk 2:22-35 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.  This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.  He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have see...

 Gospel Mt 2:13-18 When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,     Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:      A voice was heard in Ramah,         sobbing and loud lamentation;     Rachel weeping for her children,         and she would not be...

 Gospel Jn 20: 1a; 2-8 On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. Reflections:  Today as we rejoice together and celebrate the memory of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist we  remember all the great deeds he had done for the sake of the Lord and His people. All of us are reminded that the works ...

 Gospel Mt 10: 17- 22 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” Reflections :  Today  we celebrate together as the Church the Feast of St. Stephen, the Protomartyr or the very first Martyr of the Church. This means that St. Stephen the first one to die for his faith in God, in giving his life for the sake of the glory of God and in the midst of his miss...

      Gospel: Jn 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word,         and the Word was with God,         and the Word was God.     He was in the beginning with God.      All things came to be through him,         and without him nothing came to be.     What came to be through him was life,         and this life was the light of the human race;     the light shines in the darkness,         and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light,  so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.     He was in the world,         and the world c...

Gospel: Jn 5: 33-36  Jesus said to the Jews: “You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.” Reflections;  Jesus once again praises John the Baptist as a shining, burning lamp. People at least for a while rejoiced in the message of John. He bears testimony to the truth not only through his preaching but also through his martyrdom. Jesus says that His own testimony is even greater than that of John, because He accomplishes His works in obedience to the Father. Jesus however, is the true light that enlightens all people. He is the Word made flesh. The incarnate Son of God. John was not the light, Jesus   says Hi...

 Gospel Lk 7:24-30 When the messengers of John the Baptist had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.  “What did you go out to the desert to see,  a reed swayed by the wind?  Then what did you go out to see?  Someone dressed in fine garments?  Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces.  Then what did you go out to see?  A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  This is the one about whom Scripture says:  Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,  he will prepare your way before you. I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.” (All the people who listened, including the tax collectors, who were baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged the righteousness of God; but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of God for themselves.) Reflectio...

 Lk 7: 18b-23 At that time, John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”  When the men came to the Lord, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind.  And Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.  And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” Reflections:  The Good News i s proclaimed to the poor, and blessed  is  anyone who does not  find me a cause of falling. You are the Son of God. We trust you , we love you. Jesus, You are the awaited Messiah.  

  Mt 21:23-27  When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”  Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.  Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’  But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.”  So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Reflections: The theme of today's   Gospel is authority. In fact the Jews want proof of the messianic authority of Jesus are asking Jesus.  Authority does not imply power to control or ...

Gospel Mt 11:2-11 When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,  "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out?  To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among ...

 Gospel : Mt 17: 9a, 10- As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.  So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Reflections: The event of   today's   Gospel takes place immediately after the transfiguration of Jesus on the Mount  Tabor.  Elijah together with Moses was present at the scene. The Jews thought that Elijah would come as the forerunner of the  Messiah. But Jesus reveals to them that this prophecy has already been fulfilled in the person and the preaching of John the  Baptist. He is the last prophet, armed with the Spirit and power of Elijah. Like Elijah, John too preached repentenc...

Gospel Mt 11:16-19 Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation?  It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’  The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’  But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” Reflections:  Jesus hits out at the nonsensical behaviour of the scribes and Pharisees who will neither dance or mourn; Neither rejoice nor repent. They are so obstinately preoccupied with frivolous activities, petty disputes; and a public show of their piety that they are unable to see the plan of God. o I waste time and opportunity by finding fault with everything? Am I open enough and humble to see the work of God being done through our holy Mother Chur...

Gospel Lk 1: 26- 38  Gospel  Lk1:2 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the chi...

 Gospel Mt 11: 28-30   Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Reflections :  People in the world delight in heroes, those who are a success. At the same time there are hundreds  of people with brokenness. There are poor who have shattered dreams etc. In today's Word, Jesus sends out a loving invitation to all. He understands the weariness of our labour, the weakness of our body and spirit. He says   "My yoke is easy and burden light." Jesus has also the yoke of love, gentleness and mercy.  What are the burdens that I carry? How often do I  go in to the presence of the Lord to find my rest in him?

Gospel  Mt 18:12-14  Jesus said to his disciples: "What is your opinion? 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? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost." Reflections: The parable of the lost sheep reveals who we are and  what is our value and worth in the sight of God. God says that even if a mother forgets her child, God would not forget us. God does not want even one of the little ones to perish.   Activity :  Pray for the one you think is in a worse condition than you are in spiritual life. Pray for yourself too.

Gospel : Lk 5:17-26  One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.  And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.  But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.”  Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies?  Who but God alone can forgive sins?”  Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has autho...

 Gospel : Mt 3:1-12 John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at ...

 Gospel : Mt 9:35 -- 10:5a, 6-8 Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness.  At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”  Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.  Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” Reflections :  Jesus understood...

Gospel Mt 9:27-31  As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!”  When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?”  “Yes, Lord,” they said to him.  Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”  And their eyes were opened.  Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”  But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. Reflections :  Jesus can heal not only physical blindness but also moral blindness,sinfulness, injustice, insensitivity towards the needy etc. Any one who allows Jesus to work in her/him like the blind men will become a new creation.    The important thing is that they believed. The connection between their healing and Jesus power to heal was their complete trust and faith in him. No doubts, no inhibitions, no mental or emotional blocks....