Reflections

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A (Texts: Sirach 27:33-28:9; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35) By Fr. Augustine Agwulonu, OP By forgiving our sisters and brothers we imitate God who has first forgiven us        Today’s Gospel text begins with a question, which Peter directs to Jesus – Lord, if my brother (or sister) sins against me, how often must I forgive? A question at the beginning of a discourse often aims at capturing the attention of the audience. It…

Through Mary to Jesus. From the Mystical Instructions by Michael of Saint Augustine (L. 1, tr. 1, C. 18: ed. Antwerp 1671, pp. 31-32)         It is my duty, I feel, to recommend to everyone this outstandingly effective means of leading a devout life in Christ: heartfelt devotion, filial love and the tenderest affection toward Mary, the most lovable of mothers. We hail her—do we not?—as Mother of Grace and Mother of Mercy. But both grace and mercy are indispensable…

From the spiritual writings of Saint Teresa of Jesus of Los Andes (Diario y cartas (Los Andes, 1983), 373, 359, 376) He is my unending wealth, my bliss, my heaven. Jesus alone is beautiful; he is my only joy. I call for him, I cry after him, I search for him within my heart. I long for Jesus to grind me interiorly so that I may become a pure host where he can find his rest. I want to be…