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Friends, in today’s Gospel, relatives of Jesus claim that he is mad. In cases like this, the basic problem is always the fearful ego. Ego-addicts know that sometimes the best defense is a good offense. If you want to protect the ego and its prerogatives, you must oppress and demoralize those around you. 

There is a very unsubtle version of this method: you attack, put down, insult, and undermine those around you. This is the method of the bully. But the religious version is much subtler and thus more insidious and dangerous. It takes the law itself—especially the moral law—and uses it to accuse and oppress. “I know what’s right and wrong; I know what the Church expects of us; and I know that you are not living up to it.”

And so I accuse you; I gossip about you; I remind you of your inadequacy. Mind you, this is not to condemn the legitimate exercise of fraternal correction or the office of preaching. But it’s a reminder not to be sucked into the slavery of ego addiction. We must stay alert to this and avoid it at all costs.

Gospel Reflections

Meditate on Daily Gospel Reflections from Bishop Robert Barron

2nd week of Ordinary Time

Saturday

January 21

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Friday

January 20

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Thursday

January 19

Read

Wednesday

January 18

Read

Tuesday

January 17

Read

Monday

January 16

Read

Sunday

January 15

Read

1st week of Ordinary Time

Saturday

January 14

Read

Friday

January 13

Read

Thursday

January 12

Read

Wednesday

January 11

Read

Tuesday

January 10

Read

Monday

January 9

Read

Baptism of the Lord

Sunday

January 8

Read

Epiphany

Christmas Time

Saturday

January 7

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Friday

January 6

Read

Thursday

January 5

Read

Wednesday

January 4

Read

Tuesday

January 3

Read

Monday

January 2

Read

Sunday

January 1

Read

Mary, Mother of God

Christmas Octave

Saturday

December 31

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Friday

December 30

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Holy Family

Thursday

December 29

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Wednesday

December 28

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Tuesday

December 27

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Monday

December 26

Read

Sunday

December 25

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Christmas Day

4th week of Advent

Saturday

December 24

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Friday

December 23

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Thursday

December 22

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Wednesday

December 21

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Tuesday

December 20

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Monday

December 19

Read

Sunday

December 18

Read

3rd week of Advent

Saturday

December 17

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Friday

December 16

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Thursday

December 15

Read

Wednesday

December 14

Read

Tuesday

December 13

Read

Monday

December 12

Read

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Sunday

December 11

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2nd week of Advent

Saturday

December 10

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Friday

December 9

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Thursday

December 8

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Immaculate Conception

Wednesday

December 7

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Tuesday

December 6

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Monday

December 5

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