2026 archive of Gospel Meditation
MATEO 10, 26-33
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 6/19/26
Jean Amery, a Holocaust survivor tortured by the Nazis, later wrote about the abyss of human evil. He described his reaction as an "indignant despair." Haven't we all, to some degree, felt that abyss opened beneath us? A sudden loss, a violent headline, a moment of loneliness or panic, when ... Read More »
JOHN 6:51-58
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 6/06/26
When I was a young altar server, I once overheard two very different comments about the Eucharist. One person asked, "Is Fatherdistributing the bread or the wine?" Later, another asked, "Can you go get Jesus from the tabernacle?" Same parish, same Mass, buttwo very different ways of speaking. I ... Read More »
John 20:19-23
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 5/22/26
“He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,and whose sins you retain are retained.’” (John 20:22–23)
For those of us who go to confession regularly, there is often a familiar frustration: “Why do I keep confessing the same ... Read More »
5th Sunday in Ordinary TimeóMatthew 5:13-16
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 2/07/26
I recently learned why zebras have stripes. Scientists used to think it was for camouflage, but new research suggests something more interesting: the stripes help zebras blend in with one another. When a predator looks at a herd, the overlapping stripes make it hard to single out one animal. ... Read More »
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Matthew 5:1-12a
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 1/31/26
A priest I know was once falsely accused of a terrible crime. The claim was wild and easily disproved, but for a while, it didn't matter.In the atmosphere shaped by the abuse crisis of the early 2000s, the public assumption was guilty until proven innocent. His name was dragged ... Read More »
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Matthew 4:12-23
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 1/24/26
I was 22 years old, lying in bed one night while on a pilgrimage, when I suddenly sensed an idea in my mind: "Go to the seminary."There was no voice, no vision, but a gentle and unmistakable clarity. I simply prayed, "Lord, if that's from you, let me find ... Read More »
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time—John 1:29-34
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 1/17/26
It’s common to hear belief in Jesus and the Church mocked as blind faith and credulity. But in reality, it is deeply human and rational. Think about it: we rely on the testimony of others constantly. I trust chemists who certify the safety of toothpaste and cleaning products. I ... Read More »
The Baptism of the Lord—Matthew 3:13-17
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 1/09/26
The Baptism of the Lord—Matthew 3:13-17
Apple ran a commercial not long ago called “Behind the Mac – Greatness.” It shows artists and creators, such as Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, and Lady Gaga, working behind their MacBooks. The narration says, “There’s a certain kind of person who doesn’t wait ... Read More »
The Epiphany of the Lord
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 1/03/26
Matthew 2:1-12
When I was 22, I went on a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee Year of 2000. I was traveling light with just a backpack, one blue shirt and black pants, little money, and no Italian. I had a few close friends and one goal: to reach ... Read More »