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Natalie Conseur
In Path To Sunday

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Nehemiah 8:10

Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD is your strength!

Readings for Sunday: Nehemiah, 1 Corinthians, Luke

Reflection:

How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? Here’s a suggestion for another resolution: incorporating daily Bible reading into our routines as a way to strengthen our connection with God. While it might initially seem like a daunting goal, it’s a simple yet profound way to hear His voice and grow spiritually. Many of us wish we could hear God answer our questions directly, but more often, He speaks to us through prayer and scripture. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings—it is God’s living Word, full of wisdom and guidance for our lives.

In this Sunday’s first reading, we hear of how the people of Israel, having returned from exile from Babylonian to the Holy Land, listen to Ezra read God’s law, meaning part of scriptures we now call the Old Testament. The people were deeply moved to point of being sorrowful for their sins. But Ezra reminds them that God’s word is to also guide them on how to live, and that in hearing God’s word, the people are to rejoice in the Lord. In the Gospel reading, we hear of how God’s word is ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. After reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus tells those listening in the syngague that the scripture passage is “fulfilled in your hearing.” Psalm 19 reminds us of the power of God’s Word, describing it as perfect, refreshing, and life-giving.

Historically, access to the Bible was limited, as copies were rare, and very expensive. Before the moveable type printing press was invented by Gutenberg in the 15th century, every Bible was copied by hand. Usually it was copied on to a form of animal skin such as parchment or vellum. Today, we are fortunate to have easy access to the Bible in many formats, yet it often remains untouched in our daily lives. We can even access it on our phones! Imagine the impact of dedicating just 15-20 minutes a day to scripture—perhaps by reading before bed, during a quiet moment in the morning, or even as a family before dinner. These small adjustments can make a significant difference. By engaging with God’s Word consistently, we can deepen our relationship with Him and find renewed direction and purpose in our lives.

Reflection Questions

  • In Your Prayer Ask: How often do you intentionally dedicate time to reading the Bible or engaging with scripture, and how has this influenced your spiritual growth?
  • Reflect on This: Thinking about the accessibility of the Bible today compared to its historical limitations, how can you better appreciate and utilize this resource to deepen your connection with God?
  • Consider in quiet reflection: What small changes could you make in your daily routine to incorporate regular Bible reading, such as setting aside 30 minutes or involving your family in the practice?
Natalie Conseur
In Path To Sunday

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

John 2:11

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

Readings for Sunday: Isaiah, 1 Corinthians, John

Reflection:

Did you catch it? Jesus’s first public miracle was at the wedding feast in Cana, changing water into wine. Yet, he wasn’t going to do anything until his mother interceded with him. It points to the profound role that Jesus’ human mother, Mary, played in his life. While we are all sinners, and Jesus is not, he is still human. Mary, preserved from sin by God’s grace, is still a human mother. Their relationship teaches us several things.

Motherhood is one of the most powerful roles in human life, shaping not just the physical life of a child, but their very identity and sense of being. Without a loving mother, children often struggle with self-esteem, trust, and relationships. If you think about, infants and toddlers learn a language at home from their parents, especially their mothers. Jesus’ native language was Aramaic because Mary and Joseph spoke it at home. Mary’s importance in salvation history is clear in today’s gospel story and in the fact that when all the apostles fled, except John, she stood at the foot of the cross. From Jesus’ conception through his death and resurrection, Mary was there.

Do we appreciate motherhood as just that: a radically important role? Granted some mothers work outside the home by choice or necessity. Some choose to exclusively work in the home; a stay-at-home mom is working hard. Either which way, mothers are counselors, teachers, nurses, cooks, caregivers, etc. Supporting mothers, especially single mothers, and ensuring just wages for families is essential, especially to enable those mothers who choose to be able to work in the home.

Reflection Questions

  • In Your Prayer Ask: How has your relationship with your own mother, or a mother figure in your life, shaped your sense of identity and trust in others?
  • Reflect on This: What can Mary’s role as both the mother of Jesus and an intercessor teach us about the spiritual and emotional impact of motherhood in our own lives?
  • Consider in quiet reflection: In a society that often undervalues the role of stay-at-home mothers, how can we actively support and uplift the work of all mothers, including those who face unique challenges like single parenthood or financial struggles?
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In Path To Sunday

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Luke 1:42

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Readings for Sunday: Micah, Hebrews, Luke

Reflection:

Ever wonder why we Catholics honor Mary? You can find the answer in this Sunday’s Gospel reading, which comes from Luke 1:39-45. In the verses immediately preceding this passage (Luke 1:26-38), we hear how the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and bear a son. Gabriel also informed Mary that her cousin Elizabeth had conceived a child in her old age. With the Christ child in her womb, Mary sets off to visit her cousin.

When Mary arrives at Elizabeth’s house, Elizabeth, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” exclaims: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

While Jesus is clearly present (in Mary’s womb), Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, honors Mary. This honor is not in opposition to or competition with Jesus; rather, Elizabeth honors Mary because of her unique relationship with her Son.

And so it is with us. When we pray the Hail Mary, we are simply quoting scripture: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,” echoes the Archangel Gabriel’s greeting to Mary. The line “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” is from Elizabeth’s greeting. To these scriptural words, we add the petition, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners…”

Reflection Questions

  • How do I honor Mary in my life today, as St. Elizabeth did in hers? Do I see Mary as bringing her Son to me so that I may be closer to him?
  • How do I become more like Mary in bringing Jesus to others?
  • Am I willing to serve others like Mary, who, when she heard of St. Elizabeth’s pregnancy, went to see her, despite the hardship of travel in those days?
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In Path To Sunday

32nd Sunday In Ordinary Time

Mark 12:44

She, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.

Readings for Sunday: 1 Kings, Hebrews, Mark

Reflection:

Have you ever wondered what God wants from you? Often, we rush through our days, focused on routines—work, school, family—without thinking about deeper questions. It’s usually when something goes wrong—a sickness, job loss, or loss of a loved one—that we pause and ask, “God, what do you want from me?”

God’s answer is simple yet profound: He wants everything—our whole hearts and lives. In Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 12:38-44), Jesus notices a poor widow placing her last coins in the temple treasury. “For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

Unlike the wealthy who give what’s extra, she gives everything she has out of love and trust in God.

This story reflects how God gives Himself to us fully, especially through Christ, who poured out His life on the cross and continues to offer Himself in the Mass. Just as the widow gave all she had, God invites us to surrender our lives back to Him. This is the heart of stewardship—not just giving money but offering our time, talents, and entire selves. Through this, we love God with everything we are and have, allowing His love to transform our lives.

Reflection Questions

  • In your prayer, ask: “Lord, in what areas of my life am I holding back from fully giving myself to You? Help me to see how I can follow the example of the widow who gave all she had.”
  • Reflect on this: “Just as the widow gave her last coins out of love and trust, what ‘last coins’—be it time, talent, or energy—might you be called to offer in love to God, even if it feels small or insignificant?”
  • Consider in quiet reflection: “How would your life look if you gave God not just the surplus of your time and resources, but your ‘whole livelihood’? What steps can you take to live with this kind of generosity and trust?
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In Path To Sunday

31st Sunday In Ordinary Time

Mark 12:30-31

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

Readings for Sunday: Deuteronomy, Hebrews, Mark

Reflection:

In today’s Gospel (Mark 12:28-34), Jesus is asked which commandment is the greatest. His response is both simple and profound: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength;” and then he adds a second, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” These two commands encapsulate the essence of our faith, but they are far from easy to live out.

This passage invites us to reflect on what true love means. In our culture, love is often reduced to a feeling or preference—liking someone or something. However, Jesus calls us to a much deeper love, the kind He showed on the cross: agape, a love of self-sacrifice and action. It’s not about feelings but about choosing to do good for others, even those we may not like or who hurt us. True love is laying down our lives in small ways for the sake of others.

Yet, we often find our hearts divided. We say we love God, but we can let other “gods” creep in—work, money, comfort, or even our reputation or self-image. How often do we prioritize these things over God? Just as importantly, we struggle to love our neighbors, especially those who challenge or inconvenience us.

Jesus reminds us that these commandments are inseparable. Loving God fully allows us to love others more deeply. The call to love requires us to act, not just to feel. Through prayer, Mass, and serving those around us, we can grow in this love, allowing it to shape our lives and draw us closer to God’s Kingdom. Let us ask for the grace to love God with our whole hearts, and to love others as He loves us.

Reflection Questions

  • In your prayer, ask: Do I truly love God with all my heart, or are there areas of my life where I place other priorities above Him?
  • Reflect on this: How do I view love? Is it more about my feelings or my willingness to sacrifice and act for others, even when it’s difficult?
  • Consider in quiet reflection: Are there people in my life whom I struggle to love? How might loving God more deeply help me to love those around me better, especially those who are challenging to love?
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In Path To Sunday

30th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Christ and the pauper | Andrey Mironov | 2009

Mark 10:51

Master I want to see

Readings for Sunday: Jeremiah, Hebrews, Mark

Reflection:

Fear touches every part of our lives. We fear sickness, loneliness, financial loss, and ultimately, death. These fears can paralyze us, keeping us from moving forward. But in today’s Gospel, the story of Bartimaeus offers a profound reflection on how we can find hope through faith in Jesus.

Bartimaeus, whose name means “son of fear,” lived his life in darkness, unable to work or support himself, left to beg on the streets. Fear blinds us in a similar way, preventing us from seeing solutions, hope, or a way forward. Yet, when Bartimaeus hears Jesus is near, he doesn’t hold back. He cries out in humility, asking for mercy: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.”

His cry is a model for our own prayer—persistent, humble, and trusting. Even when others try to silence him, Bartimaeus continues to call out, trusting that Jesus will respond. And Jesus does stop, calling Bartimaeus to come to Him. In an act of faith, Bartimaeus throws aside his cloak, a symbol of his old life, and asks for healing.

Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus answers simply, “Master, I want to see.” This is more than a request for physical sight. It is a recognition of who Jesus is—a surrender to His will and a desire for true discipleship. Bartimaeus gains his sight, but more importantly, he gains the ability to follow Jesus.

This story calls us to reflect on our own fears. When we cry out to Jesus, are we ready to respond to His call? Are we willing to throw aside our old ways and trust in His mercy, even if His response is different from what we expect? Like Bartimaeus, we are called not just to receive, but to follow—through our fears, through the cross, and into the hope of resurrection. Faith is not just belief; it is trust, surrender, and a willingness to follow Jesus wherever He leads.

Reflection Questions

  • In your prayer, ask: “Jesus, where are my fears keeping me from fully trusting You? Am I ready to call on You in my struggle and listen for Your voice?”
  • Reflect on this: “Am I clinging to an old way of living that keeps me from following Jesus more closely? What do I need to ‘throw aside’ in order to walk with Him?”
  • Consider in quiet reflection: “If Jesus asked me, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ how would I respond? Am I seeking to follow Him, or just asking for what I want?”
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In Path To Sunday

29th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Mark 10:45

For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Readings for Sunday: Isaiah, Hebrews, Mark

Reflection:

In reflecting on the role of the priesthood, we are reminded of the profound insights from the Letter to the Hebrews. In this passage, we are told that Jesus is our great High Priest, who has “passed through the heavens” and can sympathize with our weaknesses, having been tested in every way, yet without sin. This speaks to the depth of Christ’s love and solidarity with us. He understands our struggles, and as our High Priest, He intercedes for us continually before the Father.

In the Old Testament, the high priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people to atone for their sins, but these sacrifices were temporary.

However, Jesus, as the perfect High Priest, offered Himself once and for all on the cross, providing a permanent way for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life. His priesthood is not limited by time or human frailty—it is eternal.

Today, our Catholic priests participate in this priesthood of Christ. Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and confession, they make present the grace of Christ’s sacrifice. As we reflect, let us approach the “throne of grace” with confidence, knowing that through Christ, we find mercy and help in every moment of need. Pray for more priests to continue this vital mission.

Reflection Questions

  • In your prayer, ask: How does understanding Jesus as our eternal High Priest change the way I approach the sacraments, particularly confession and the Eucharist?
  • Reflect on this: In what ways can I allow the example of Christ’s priestly sacrifice to influence my own willingness to serve and sacrifice for others?
  • Consider in quiet reflection: How can I actively support and encourage the vocation of the priesthood, whether through prayer or conversations with young men who may be called to serve?
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In Path To Sunday

24th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Mark 8:35

Whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.

Readings for Sunday: Isaiah, James, Mark

Reflection:

Even when Christians, including Catholics, think about death, they usually wind up actually believing different things. Many assume that immediate entry into heaven is the default outcome, relying on popular perceptions or selective interpretations of Scripture. Yet, Jesus offers a more nuanced perspective: “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.” This teaching underscores a crucial point: salvation is not merely a matter of avoiding the worst moral pitfalls but involves a profound transformation of life aligned with Christ’s teachings.

To understand this better, imagine standing before God at the end of your life and asking to enter heaven. If God were to question why you should be admitted, citing that you’re “not as bad” as notorious historical figures, such as Adolph Hitler, or professing a general love of humanity without a clear life of doing good to and for others, might not be convincing. Genuine love for God must be reflected in daily actions and choices, not just verbal affirmations.

Catholicism presents a comprehensive path to salvation, one that demands an active, daily commitment to living out the faith. We cannot earn our salvation, but at the same time it involves more than a single moment of acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior; it is a lifelong journey of faithfulness, much like a marriage. True love for God means dedicating time to prayer, seeking His will, and living a life that aligns with His teachings.

In contrast to some evangelical perspectives that emphasize a one-time declaration of faith, Catholicism calls for ongoing engagement and fidelity. It is a way of life where salvation is realized through persistent faith and practice through God’s grace. By adhering to this path, we prepare ourselves to be welcomed into heaven, fully united with Christ.

Reflection Questions

  • How does your current understanding of salvation align with the idea of a lifelong journey rather than a one-time declaration? What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to living out your Catholic faith and nurturing your relationship with Christ?
  • In what ways are you actively living out your love for God on a daily basis? Are there areas in your life where you could be more faithful or intentional about aligning your actions with His will?
  • When you imagine standing before God at the end of your life, how do you think you would explain why you should be admitted into heaven? What does your response reveal about how you live your faith today?
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In Path To Sunday

13th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Mark 5:28

"If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."

Readings for Sunday: Wisdom, 2nd Corinthians, Mark

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel story is an example of what some scripture scholars call a “Markan sandwich.”We have the story of the woman afflicted with a hemorrhage in between the two halves of the story of the little girl who died and was brought back to life by Jesus. What links the two stories is the number 12: the little girl was twelve years old, and the woman had a hemorrhage for 12 years. One story enlightens the other.

In the case of the woman with the hemorrhage; such a flow of blood would have made her ritually impure and unable to participate in the life and activities of the temple and synagogue. Effectively, she was spiritually “dead” for twelve years.

Yet, Jesus fulfills the entire law of the covenant, including the laws covering ritual purity. Thus, when the woman touched him, he should have become ritually impure himself, but he did not as he cured her. When he touched the dead body of the little girl, he likewise would have become ritually impure, but he did not, as she lived.

In the end, it is a question of faith in Jesus Christ; faith leads to life and purity of heart. We need to be like the woman and be willing to merely touch his cloak.

Reflection Questions

  • Where do you need to grow in purity of heart? What are the areas of sin in your life that require Jesus’ healing?
  • Where are you in your faith journey; do you really trust in Jesus and his power to liberate you from everything that holds you back?
  • How long has it been since you have been to confession? A year, twelve years, or more?
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In Path To Sunday

12th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Rembrandt | The Storm on the Sea of Galilee

Mark 4:40

"Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"

Readings for Sunday: Job, 2nd Corinthians, Mark

Reflection:

One of life’s most challenging questions is why God allows suffering. We often ask why God permits cancer, the loss of a child, or personal hardships like losing a job or home. While a complete explanation is complex, today’s Gospel offers us a perspective. Mark 4:35-41 emphasizes that while Christ saves us, God still permits struggles and suffering for our spiritual growth and to deepen our love for Him.

Observing the world’s suffering and injustice suggests a fundamental problem that cannot be resolved merely through education or social programs. Sin, or the rejection of God’s love, has introduced death and suffering into the world.

However, God, through Jesus, has shown His care by experiencing human suffering and death. This act of solidarity and sacrifice is central to salvation, which involves not just escaping hell but also renewing and healing a broken creation.

God permits suffering to foster true love and trust in Him. Through adversity, like the apostles’ fear during a storm calmed by Jesus, we are called to deepen our faith and relationship with God. Ultimately, salvation is about perfecting our love for God and one another, preparing us for eternal happiness in heaven.

Reflection Questions

  • How do you respond to suffering in your life—do you see it as a chance to deepen your faith and trust in God?
  • When facing storms in your life, do you trust that Jesus is with you, calming the chaos?
  • How can you grow in love for God and others through your struggles and challenges?
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