On this fourth Sunday of Lent, or Laetare Sunday, we will explore the theme of Jesus as our savior. Today’s reading comes from chapter three of John’s Gospel.

Our reading begins as Jesus concludes his conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who had come to Jesus in the night. Jesus tells him, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

Read More: https://cmmb.org/find-joy-in-sacrifice/

Find Joy in Sacrifice

Today we recognize the first day of the Triduum—Palm Sunday. On this special Sunday, we read two Gospels. The first takes us through Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the second follows the events of Jesus’ passion.

With both readings from the Gospel of Mark, they invite us to reflect on the purpose of Jesus’ death.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/with-god-we-are-never-alone/

With God We Are Never Alone

Thank you to Michael Hilbert, S.J., CMMB Board Member, for sharing this special Easter reflection with us. 

The most joyous expression of Easter is the ringing of bells. To wake up on Easter morning to the swelling of church bells touches the heart and lifts the soul! I like to read Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, “The Bells” and its euphony.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/the-bells-of-easter/

The Bells of Easter

Today’s reading is from Matthew’s Gospel and marks our return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time.

In the chapters leading up to our reading, the resurrected Jesus has presented himself to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. He leaves them with a message for his disciples, who are to reunite with him in Galilee. It’s here where today’s passage begins.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/resilience-and-faith/

Resilience and Faith

Jesus speaks to us through parables in today’s Gospel. Entwined in these stories are important lessons about patience, persistence, and faith.

In both parables Jesus reflects on the life of a seed. In the first, a farmer scatters his crop throughout a field. Over time the seed will sprout, grow, and eventually yield a full crop. But in order to do so, it needs time. In this way, the seed is like the Kingdom of God. Planted by Jesus during his time on earth, the Kingdom requires time to flourish.

Learn more: https://cmmb.org/we-grow-with-patience-and-faith/

We Grow with Patience and Faith

In last week’s reflection, we discussed the power of faith to guide us in times of fear. Today, we continue that conversation.

Our reading picks up shortly after we last left it. Jesus has safely crossed the Sea of Galilee with his disciples and healed a man with an unclean spirit. He is now at the bank of the sea, when a synagogue official named Jairus approaches him.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/seek-your-miracle/

Seek Your Miracle

In last week’s Gospel, Jesus witnesses his hometown’s lack of faith. In the section we read from today, Jesus sends his 12 apostles out to share his mission and warns of that they too might encounter the same.

Sending them off in pairs, Jesus commands his apostles to bring nothing but the clothes on their back and the sandals on their feet—for they are to rely on the goodwill of the faithful. Jesus says, “Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.”

Read More: https://cmmb.org/following-the-call/

Following the Call

In today’s reading, Jesus stresses the importance of rest, reflection, and prayer. We remember from last week’s reading that Jesus sent his 12 apostles out into the world to preach and heal. This week’s Gospel begins with their return.

After arriving home, the apostles recount all that they have done and taught to Jesus. Satisfied, Jesus instructs them to find a quiet place, free from the masses, to rest.

Read More: https://cmmb.org/rest-pray-continue/

Rest, Pray, and Continue Your Journey

Our reading today is once again from the sixth chapter of John. However, our lectionary calendar does not guide us through his Gospel continuously.

You will remember that last week’s reading concluded after Jesus had multiplied bread and fish for the crowds. After that event, and John’s report of Jesus walking on water, Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum. This is where today’s reading begins.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/seeing-the-bigger-picture/

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Today’s reading is once again taken from chapter six of John’s Gospel. If we think back to the passage we read last week, also from John, we’ll remember that the crowds who gathered around Jesus were struggling to understand his true identity. 

Our passage from today picks up shortly after this event and further outlines the difficulty many had understanding Jesus as the Son of God.  

Read more: https://cmmb.org/growth-new-perspective/

Growth Comes with New Perspective

In today’s reading we depart from John’s Gospel to read excerpts from chapter seven of Mark.  In the sections we read from today Jesus makes a distinction between traditional Jewish practices and Christianity.

Jesus and his disciples are met by a group of Jewish Pharisees. Disturbed to see the disciples eating without cleansing themselves, they confront Jesus. According to the Pharisees, cleansing before a meal was a sign of purity and a necessary tradition.

Read more: cmmb.org/embrace-challenge/

Embrace Challenge

For today’s reading, we continue in Mark’s Gospel. While last week we witnessed Jesus interact with traditional Jewish leaders, today’s verses report Jesus’ interaction with gentiles and, most significantly, how quickly word of his actions spread.

After Jesus arrives in the district of Decapolis, a crowd of gentiles brings him a deaf man, who also suffers from a speech impediment.

Read More: https://cmmb.org/spread-love-through-action/

Spread Love Through Action

For today’s reflection, we will continue reading from the Gospel of Mark. Following the events that took place in last week’s passage, a wealthy man approaches Jesus.

The man is a believer in Jesus and asks how he can achieve eternal life. Jesus tells the man he must adhere to the Law of Moses, to which the man explains that he has followed the Law since he was a child.

Read More: https://cmmb.org/for-the-good-of-all-people/

For the Good of All People

Today’s reading falls on the second final Sunday of our liturgical calendar. Taken once again from Mark’s Gospel, it reveals the importance of recognizing needs and setting expectations for ourselves as Christians.

Read More: https://cmmb.org/observe-embrace-change/

Observe, Embrace, and Change

On this first Sunday of Lent our Gospel takes us to the desert, where Jesus spent forty days and forty nights. In many ways, Jesus’ experience guides our own experience during Lent.

Jesus spends his time in the desert fasting, praying, and saying no to the devil’s temptations. The devil tempts Jesus three times. With every temptation Jesus is asked to take advantage, distrust or question his relationship with God. But Jesus’ commitment to God never wavers.

Read More: https://cmmb.org/find-your-answer/

Find Your Answer

Today we reflect with you on the second Sunday of Easter and continue to rejoice in the hope that this season embodies. But the gift of hope and salvation that Easter brings also comes with great responsibility.

When the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples, he blesses them with the Holy Spirit and tasks them with continuing his mission. Today, as members of our Church community, we are tasked with the same—but our path to discipleship is different.

Read More: https://cmmb.org/faith-in-action-reflection/

Faith in Action

Today’s Gospel takes us to the last supper, where Jesus defines the meaning of love with his disciples.

For Jesus, love is shown through action—through acts of compassion, service, and sacrifice. In many ways, Jesus seeks to show his disciples that love is not always easy. Our gifts of compassion may not be met with grace. Our moments of service may be met with challenge. The impact of our sacrifice may at first feel inconsequential. But, as Jesus tells his disciples, this is the reality of love. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. Read more: cmmb.org/love-in-action-weekly-reflection/

Love in Action

In today’s Gospel we reflect on a theme that is first engrained in us as children—the importance of sharing.

As we grow, so too does the way we understand sharing. The concept remains, but the stakes grow greater. When we reach adulthood, we come to witness the injustices and inequities of the world, some of which, are so great that they can be the difference between life and death. Read more: https://cmmb.org/there-are-riches-in-sacrifice/

With Gratitude, We Share

Do you ever feel burdened by your role as a disciple of God? Today’s Gospel reminds us that it’s okay to feel like this—and importantly, God is here to guide us. The only thing required from us is faith. Read more: cmmb.org/faith-is-your-guide

Faith is Your Guide

Today, we invite you to reflect on one of your happiest moments. How does this inform your understanding of happiness?

Though our question is straightforward, the answer is not. There are many ways to define happiness. Today’s Gospel encourages us to consider how true happiness is re-defined by Jesus. Read more: https://cmmb.org/re-defined-by-Jesus

Happiness: Re-defined by Jesus

It’s hard to truly imagine the reality for people in Syria and Turkey following the catastrophic earthquake. We share this reflection in dedication to our brothers and sisters there—those who lost their lives, and those courageously moving forward under the burden of great loss.
Read more: https://cmmb.org/what-more-can-i-do

Ask Yourself: What More Can I Do?

In today’s Gospel, we meet Jesus on top of a mountain. We find ourselves at this same mountaintop on every second Sunday of Lent, to join three of Jesus’ closest disciples as they witness his Transfiguration. This, then, becomes the promise that sustains them throughout his Passion, until the glory of Jesus’ Resurrection. Read more: https://cmmb.org/promised-to-us-in-sacrifice/

What’s Promised to Us in Sacrifice

This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ—once called Corpus Christi, which is Latin for “Body of Christ.” This revised name more completely reflects our Eucharistic theology. Read more: https://cmmb.org/we-are-christs-body-in-the-world/ ‎

We are Christ’s Body in the world

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tasks his disciples with lifechanging purpose. They are to follow in his footsteps and carry his mission forward. Read more: https://cmmb.org/fathers-footsteps-mission/

Fathers. Footsteps. Mission

When was the last time you disagreed with someone? Today’s Gospel reveals that Jesus understands disagreements will arise in our lives. He even offers guidance on how to handle them when they do. Read more: https://cmmb.org/how-does-jesus-handle-disagreement/

How Does Jesus Approach Disagreement?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is presented with one question. As was the case in last week’s Gospel, Jesus finds himself in the position to offer insight into his expectations. Read more: https://cmmb.org/one-question/

With One Question

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” This is the question that begins today’s Gospel. Posed to Jesus in the hopes of tricking him, Jesus is not fooled. In fact, his response is a call that we hold close to our hearts at CMMB—especially today when the world faces so much turmoil and tragedy. Read more:https://cmmb.org/a-call-for-peace/

A Call For Peace

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reflects on what makes a strong leader—and what does not. Read more: https://cmmb.org/the-virtues-of-a-leader/

The Virtues of a Leader

In today’s Gospel, Jesus returns to his use of parables to guide his disciples. In the story, he urges his disciples to value preparation. Read more: https://cmmb.org/value-in-preparation/

Value in Preparation

In many ways, the themes in today’s Gospel are complimentary to last week’s reading. Once again, Jesus speaks to us in parable. He speaks not only of preparedness, but of intention, awareness, and use of the unique gifts we all possess. Read more: https://cmmb.org/using-our-gifts-with-intention/

Using Our Gifts with Intention

Today’s reflection follows the Thanksgiving holiday for many in the United States. It’s fitting in the sense that, in recognizing this day, we joined family and friends in thanks for all that we cherish—and we shared thanks with others.  

Our Gospel today encourages us to consider what really matters. Read more: cmmb.org/a-reminder-for-the-season-ahead

A Reminder for the Season Ahead

We join you in reflection on this first Sunday of Advent, a season in our faith that invites us to prepare for the birth of Jesus. And our Gospel today encourages us to consider a very fitting theme—preparedness. Read more: https://cmmb.org/a-new-faithful-season-begins/

A New Faithful Season Begins

On this second Sunday of Advent, our Gospel encourages us to continue our reflections on the important theme of preparation. But today, we do so in consideration of John the Baptist’s role in our faith. Read more: https://cmmb.org/celebrating-trust

Celebrating Trust

We join you on this third Sunday of Advent to continue our reflections on John the Baptist and his role in our faith. Read more: https://cmmb.org/rejoice-in-anticipation

Rejoice in Anticipation

We join you in reflection today with an immense feeling of gratitude. In these final hours of 2023, we look back at some of the moments that moved us—from the promise of health delivered to hope for the future made brighter. Learn more: https://cmmb.org/our-gratitude/ ‎

Our Gratitude

We read from our Gospel on this joyous Christmas Eve in anticipation of Jesus’ birth. Learn more: https://cmmb.org/on-christmas-eve/

On Christmas Eve

Today’s reading comes from Matthew’s Gospel and tells us about the visit of the Magi at Jesus’ birth. Out of the four Gospels, Matthew’s is the only one to describe the visit.

Though we don’t know how many Magi greeted Jesus, we assume there were three based on the gifts they presented—gold, frankincense and myrrh. Today, we recognize each of these offerings as symbols for Jesus’ role as our savior.

Learn more: https://cmmb.org/giving-is-always-worth-it/

Weekly Reflection

Giving Is Always Worth it

In last week’s reading, we met Jesus’ first disciples. Today, we follow them to Capernaum.

The Gospel reports on Jesus’ teachings in the synagogue. Those who come to listen note the authority with which he speaks. But as powerful as Jesus’ words are, his actions are what inspire the crowds and give credence to his teachings.

Read more: https://cmmb.org/actions-give-credence-to-words-your-weekly-reflection-from-cmmb/

Actions Give Credence to Words

CMMB's Weekly Reflection on the Gospel keeps us connected to our mission to serve the poor and heal the sick, and remind us of our commitment to follow the loving example of Jesus. 

CMMB is an international, faith-based NGO providing long-term, co-operative, medical and development aid to communities affected by poverty and unequal access to healthcare.

Learn more: https://cmmb.org/

CMMB Weekly Reflection

Popular tracks