Category Archives: J.M. Pallas

Dec 21 2023

Looking Outward / Mirando Hacia Afuera

Click here for daily readings Each of the women in today’s Gospel would have had every reason to be preoccupied with her own situation; both are unexpectedly pregnant under extraordinary circumstances. Despite that...

Nov 13 2023

When Being On Guard, Faith, and Forgiveness Come Together / Cuando Ser Vigilante, la Fe y el Perdón se Unen

Click here for daily readings There was a time in my life when I would have thought today’s Gospel contained three unrelated ideas: woe to those who lead little ones astray, the need for forgiveness, and faith. Rec...

Oct 13 2023

Mental Gymnastics / La Gimnasia Mental

Click here for daily readings When I read passages like today’s Gospel, I am astounded by the lengths the Pharisees and other detractors of Jesus went to justify their unbelief: when we drive out demons, it’s...

Oct 10 2023

Working Against God / Trabajando en Contra de Dios

Click here for daily readings “Pride comes before the fall,” the old saying goes. When we succumb to pride, we find ourselves insisting that our way is the right way. Over time, we might come to find, like Ma...

Sep 13 2023

It Won’t Last / No Perdurará

Click here for daily readings Sometimes in life we need to actively work to live in the moment. We can wallow in regrets over the past or become preoccupied with worries about the future. For those times, Jesus reminds u...

Aug 31 2023

Integrity / Integridad

Click here for daily readings It seems like everyone follows the rules of the road when they see a highway patrol vehicle is on the side of the road. It’s easier to be faithful and holy when we receive a lot of con...

Jul 13 2023

Our Instructions / Nuestras Instrucciones

Click here for daily readings At first glance, today’s Gospel may seem to merely recount the instructions Jesus gave to his disciples. Within those instructions, however, are nuggets of wisdom for us to keep in min...

Jun 14 2023

Is It No Big Deal? / ¿Realmente Es Gran Cosa?

Click here for daily readings So often, it’s easy to justify our sins and rule-breaking. We can tell ourselves all kinds of excuses: they wouldn’t mind so I don’t need permission. I’ll make up for...

May 13 2023

Jesus Didn’t Say It Would Be Easy / Jesús No Dijo Que Sería Fácil

Click here for daily readings Sometimes people get the mistaken idea that becoming a Christian means God will take care of you and give you an easy life. If you just have enough faith, they say, God will give you your hea...

Apr 14 2023

Your Will or Mine? / ¿Tu Voluntad o la Mía?

Click here for daily readings Chapter 21 of John is quite a dense chapter of Scripture. Whole books could be written on the lessons we can find in this one chapter alone. As I read it this time, what stands out to me is t...

Mar 13 2023

Accepting God’s Will / Aceptar la Voluntad de Dios

Click here for daily readings Today’s Gospel points to a paradox in the Bible that I don’t see addressed often enough. On the one hand, Jesus tells us things like, “ask and you will receive” in Mat...

Feb 13 2023

No Sign For You! / ¡Ninguna Señal Para Ti!

Click here for daily readings At first glance it may seem like Jesus was being a bit harsh with the Pharisees when they asked for a sign. Most people need a little evidence to help their faith from time to time. The thin...

Jan 13 2023

Showing Faith / Demostrando la Fe

Click here for daily readings The story in today’s Gospel has always stood out in my mind. It paints such a vivid picture. I can almost see the men making a hole in the roof and lowering their friend on a mat into ...

Dec 23 2022

Not What You’d Expect / Fuera de lo Esperado

Click here for daily readings In a recent homily our Pastor reminded us that, while people like actors or athletes may be referred to as the greatest of all time, Jesus tells us that John the Baptist is the original G.O....

Nov 26 2022

Giving Thanks First / Dar las Gracias Primero

Click here for daily readings Leprosy during Jesus’s time essentially meant your entire life was taken from you. You couldn’t be near your family and friends. You couldn’t be part of the community. You w...

Oct 26 2022

Be an Active Participant / Ser un Participante Activo

Click here for daily readings Coasting through life can be such a temptation! Modern conveniences make it even easier: I can donate to my son’s school by shopping online using the coupon code my computer saved. I c...

Sep 04 2022

There is a God, and I’m Not Him / Existe un Dios, y Yo No Soy Él

Click here for daily readings Humility has been front and center in the readings these last two Sundays. Humility is often a misunderstood and maligned idea, but the readings today and last Sunday shed some light on what...

Jul 05 2022

My Way / Mi Manera

Click here for daily readings One of the more insidious pitfalls in the spiritual life is the desire to make our own rules. I suppose it can be considered an offshoot of pride, but the idea that I always know what is bes...

Jun 15 2022

The Right Thing for the Wrong Reasons

Click here for daily readings I know many people complain that our modern society lives for attention on social media, photographing adventures or good deeds solely to post pictures on social media for others to admire t...

May 29 2022

No Passive Bystanders in God’s Kingdom

Click here for daily readings I remember as a child thinking that following Christ would have been so much easier if I had been alive when he walked the earth. There would be no need for faith—I would see him in th...