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Daily Readings from the USCCB“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink.” John 6:53–55Human reason and free will are the most precious natural gifts God gave us. They are what separate us from every other animal. Human reason enables us to think critically, understand concepts, and arrive at conclusions....

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day.” John 6:44In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues His conversation with the crowd who sought Him out after performing the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. As the conversation continues, Jesus deepens His clarity about His relationship with the Father, His divine identity, the Father’s action in our lives, and the gift of Himself as the Bread of Life. The passage above reveals an essential spiritual principle...

Being a Christian girl in Pakistan means living as a target. Teenagers Maria, Sidra, Niha, and Elishba are just four of countless girls who have been abducted from their homes and forced to convert to Islam in the past year. Sidra and Niha were both abducted less than a month ago, in March 2026. The abuse goes beyond kidnapping. Maria was taken in July and forced to marry a 30-year-old Muslim man. She later gave a statement saying she had done so of her own will and was now a follower of Islam. Despite the efforts of Maria’s parents in...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe.” John 6:35–36Some who listened to Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse must have been shocked. Those who listened with faith began to believe in Him, even though their understanding was not complete. Those who listened with skepticism were not only shocked but angered, as evidenced by their reaction. Today’s Gospel marks Jesus’ clearest revelation of His divine...

Two years ago, dozens of FBI agents with guns drawn descended on the home of pro-life Christian activist Mark Houck in a terrifying early-morning raid. The 52-year-old father of seven was arrested in front of his horrified wife and children. Houck was charged and tried for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) after he shoved a pro-abortion volunteer escort who was harassing his young son outside an abortion clinic in Philadelphia. While the Biden administration sought up to 11 years in prison and a $350,000 fine, Houck was acquitted by a federal jury in less...

Daily Readings from the USCCBThe crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”<> John 6:30–31Today’s Gospel begins the beautiful Bread of Life Discourse, which we read at Mass for the rest of the week. In this discourse, we read the conversation Jesus had with some of the crowd who, the previous day, were among the more than 5,000 who were miraculously fed by the multiplication of the loaves...

Israel Defense Forces @IDFFollowing the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon.The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops.The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is currently being addressed through the chain of command. Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings.Furthermore, the IDF is working to assist the community...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” John 6:26–27The crowd desired one thing, but Jesus desired another. This reality is common to us all. Earlier in this chapter from John’s Gospel, Jesus miraculously...

Daily Readings from the USCCBThat very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. Luke 24:13–16These two disciples were overwhelmed by grief and bewildered by the events that had taken place. As they walked the seven-mile journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they expressed their sadness and confusion. Jesus, Whom...

By Dr. John BergsmaHow do we know that Jesus was someone and something different than the numerous religious leaders or founders of religions that have appeared on the stage of world history over the centuries? Last week we examined one way that he is different: unlike Buddha, Mohammed, or Zarathustra, Jesus rose from the grave after his death, appearing and talking to his followers at length. In this week’s liturgy, the Third Sunday of Easter, we examine another remarkable piece of evidence for the uniqueness of Jesus: the fact that his suffering and resurrection were strikingly foreshadowed by the sacred...

Daily Readings from the USCCBWhen they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” John 6:19–20One of the most consoling things we can hear is our Lord saying to us, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Every time we encounter His divine presence in our lives, we should hear those words. Though we do not always perceive Him, He is there, and when we reach out to Him in faith,...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” John 6:3–5Have you ever faced a situation in which you felt desperate? Some people endure severe poverty, unsure of where their next meal will come from. Others struggle with family disunity, leading to deep fear and anxiety. Some battle addiction, uncertain how they will ever break...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.” John 3:35–36A holy fear, one of the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, begins with a fear of punishment. We should foster within our minds and hearts a healthy fear of experiencing the “wrath of God.” God’s holy wrath is not an emotional reaction to those who reject Him but rather the necessary consequence of disobeying Him and refusing...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. John 3:19–21The contrast of light and darkness is a beautiful concept to ponder in prayer. They are not two opposing forces. Darkness is simply the absence of light....

Daily Readings from the USCCB“You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” John 3:10–12Today’s Gospel continues Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee who came to Jesus at night. Nicodemus began by professing a small amount of faith in Jesus: “Rabbi, we know that you...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:6–8Today’s Gospel offers us an opportunity to ponder the relationship between faith and reason. Is it good to live our lives according to human reason? Certainly! The natural virtue of prudence is the ability to use our human reason to discern the right...

Daily Readings from the USCCBNow Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. John 20:30–31Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through that belief you will inherit eternal life? ...The belief Saint John speaks of in today’s Gospel is one that draws us deeper into the mystery of Christ’s Paschal Mystery—His Life,...

By Dr. John BergsmaBehind the readings for this Sunday lies a Gospel text which is never read, but whose influence is felt and whose concepts and images serves as a link between the texts that are read. That passage is John 19:34:John 19:34-35 “But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness — his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth — that you also may believe.” The blood and water flowing from the side of Christ is...

Daily Readings from the USCCBWhen Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. Mark 16:9–11Today’s Gospel from Saint Mark offers a concise summary of three of Jesus’ resurrection appearances. Rather than presenting these appearances in detail or as separate encounters, Mark strings them together to convey one clear message: fear and despair resulting from suffering...

Daily Readings from the USCCBSimon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were...