These last days of the Church year call us to a certain sense of urgency because, as Paul reminded the Thessalonians, the Lord will return “as a thief in the night” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6).

While the love of God always comes first, our response to that love should take us outside of ourselves, as we are asked to share with others the love and compassion that we ourselves have received from God.

This Sunday’s Gospel invites us to ask ourselves some hard questions about how effectively we are applying the values of our faith tradition to our social obligations, especially in promoting peace and justice for all people.

May we have the grace to open our minds and hearts, so that we can freely respond to what is being asked of us as we continue to live out our call to discipleship.

It isn’t enough to simply talk about reconciliation and healing, we must do the hard work of forgiving, which, for disciples of Jesus, is just one aspect of taking up one’s cross and imitating Jesus himself.

Peter’s faith is more than intellectual knowledge; it is his relationship with Jesus. When he confesses that Jesus is the Christ, Peter is speaking out of his own deep, loving, and personal knowledge of who Jesus is.

The encounter with Jesus and the Canaanite woman marks pivotal moment in the story of our salvation, in large part because it opened up a space for us within the community of believers. 

For each of us, regardless of our unique vocation, to invitation to “Come”—to leave the safety of the boat—is there. But with that invitation is the promise that God will not allow the storms to overwhelm us.

The Kingdom is a reality—a gift—that is revealed to those who are attentive and searching.

God’s mercy provides each of us with that time and space which allows for conversion and renewal, so that we can truly come to that abundance of life promised to each of us.

God scatters the seed whether we’re ready, paying attention, or willing to receive the seed at all. This is part of God’s gracious self-giving. God is always speaking to us and the seed is always being sown. 

Jesus opens his heart to embrace the heaviness that we carry in ours; he doesn’t take away our cross, but he labors with us. And this is how burdens become light: because he carries them with us.

We can never stop listening or learning. And so, in a sense, in this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is asking us, “How well are you listening?” and “Who are you listening to?”

If God cares so much for tiny bird, how much more is God concerned for the disciples? How much more is God, who hears the cry of the poor, concerned for us?

Our task is simple: to share good news—to proclaim Christ—by sharing with the world what we ourselves have seen and come to believe.