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Friends, today's gospel repeats the call of Levi, whose other name is Matthew. Mark and Luke call him Levi. However, he writes in his gospel, "As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. "Follow Me," He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him" (Matt 9:9).

In all situations then, think and act according to Jesus' perspectives, command, and example. Remember, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord” (Is 55:8).

We should remember that people do what they hear and see. When we can see in people the beauty of God and the good, they can become and tell them how beautiful they are, they will smile and live accordingly. And why is this possible? It is because of Christ.

The devil and sin manifest in secrecy. They enjoy the hidden, pent up feelings of shame and guilt that mark our lives, and gain control over us when we never want to admit or let anyone know so they can help us. It makes them happy.

Today I want to make two propositions to you. The first is that those who trust Jesus with your faith and life will see him bring them safely to heaven. The second is that those who trust the church with their faith and life will get the support to get them to heaven.

Today I want to make two propositions to you. The first is that those who trust Jesus with your faith and life will see him bring them safely to heaven. The second is that those who trust the church with their faith and life will get the support to get them to heaven.

Jesus can help us in our anxious and depressing moments, freaking and trouble times with others or ourselves if we come to him and ask for his aid. And when we do, the issue is not whether he will listen to us and intervene, but whether we will accept his will whatever the outcome.

In today' gospel, Jesus declares himself in the synagogue as the Messiah, framing the purpose of his messiahship in terms different from what others have believed and thought. His words are exact: the good news of love for the poor, the blind, the captives, and the oppressed. Thus, Saint Paul, in 1 Cor 14:1, encourages us to make love our highest goal.

Saint John continues his teaching about love in today's first reading, urging us to love one another. He writes, "Beloved if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us."

Today's gospel taken from Mt 4:12-17, 23-25 reminds us how Jesus commenced his ministry traveling around Galilee to preach and present himself as the truth that men and women should seek. The gem of that ministry was his words and actions in the spirit of inclusiveness.

Today's gospel highlights John's testimony about Jesus as the focus of divine attraction. Understand that the peak of John's ministry had coincided with Jesus' baptism. We notice from other accounts how the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended, and the Father spoke clearly, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased" (Matt 3:17).

Saint John's gospel puts a different spin on incarnation from Matthew and Luke. Matthew and Luke accentuate the historical and human context of Jesus' birth, and John highlights the spiritual benefits of the Immanuel.

Anna’s devotion to prayer and fasting encourages us to pray and put our trust in God. Let’s stay positive, faithful, and hopeful.

Our knowledge of Christ must not be intellectual nor be based on mere faith and conviction in our heart but demonstrably sincere love for people without exception, just as Christ did to give us an example to emulate.

Go to: https://www.usccb.org/events/2021/poverty-awareness-month-begins During Poverty Awareness Month, join the U.S. Bishops, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and the Catholic community in the United States in taking up Pope Francis' challenge to live in solidarity with the poor! In addition to the calendar, longer daily reflections are also available. All of these resources are also en Español. You can sign up to have the daily reflections emailed to you during Poverty Awareness Month!

On the feast of the Holy Innocents, it is profound that we pray for parish families and families worldwide who have painfully suffered miscarriages and lost the babies they were looking forward to receiving into this beautiful world.

The feast of the holy family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, which we celebrate today, teaches us to hold on to the gifts of God to us: our families and faith. God gives us our families, but he also gives us faith and the faith community to adequately enrich us to take care of the family because of our faith values.

The feast of the holy family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, which we celebrate today, teaches us to hold on to the gifts of God to us: our families and faith. God gives us our families, but he also gives us faith and the faith community to adequately enrich us to take care of the family because of our faith values.

It is almost surreal to think that a day after Christmas, the liturgy celebrates the feast of St. Stephen as the first Christian martyr. Yet, this year's Christmas not only confirms this long-standing celebration that portrays the relationship of Christmas to the mission of Christ and our lives as disciples, but it also raises our hope and endurance for life exigencies.

Christmas does not only celebrate, but also invites us to accept a reality; the truth is that "GOD SO LOVED YOU AND ME THAT HE SHARES THE GIFT OF HIS SON WITH US."