SUNDAY REFLECTIONS with
FR. Francis

Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) On this Sunday, in different ways, the scriptural texts refer to God’s Kingdom, the final definitive reign of God at the end of time, and its current inner presence in those who accept him. Zechariah urges the Jews to rejoice on the day of the Lord’s coming. He will bring an era of universal peace: the war will end. He is visualized as meekly riding on the foal of an ass. In St. Matthew’s Gosp

2 Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16a; Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10: 37-42 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) Today’s readings show that welcoming has a dual reward: for the welcomed and the “welcomer”. In today’s First Reading, we hear a wonderful story of the “welcomer” receiving a blessing for her reverence and care. Elisha is a holy man, and a childless woman still trusts the Holy One, though barrenness was seen as a kind of curse, and she still hopes. Each year, the prophet would pass h

Jeremiah 20: 10-13; Romans 5: 12-15; Matthew 10: 26-33 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) In today’s readings, the issue of fear, specifically the fear of those called by God to preach his word, is put before us as both our consolation and our challenge. Jeremiah’s complaint that those to whom he preached and ministered had turned against him was valid. Yet for all his grousing, the prophet believed in God’s abiding presence (“But the Lord is with me”). Therefore, he willingly emb