Listen Now

As we grow older, the choices we make and the actions they demand can be complicated. It’s no secret that the right choice is not always the easiest choice. In times when you find yourself discouraged by the challenges, the right choice might bring, find comfort knowing that God understands the sacrifices you make. This is the message that Jesus shares with his disciples in today’s Gospel. READ MORE: https://cmmb.org/the-right-choice/

In today’s Gospel we reflect on a theme that is first engrained in us as children—the importance of sharing. As we grow, so too does the way we understand sharing. The concept remains, but the stakes grow greater. When we reach adulthood, we come to witness the injustices and inequities of the world, some of which, are so great that they can be the difference between life and death. Read more: https://cmmb.org/there-are-riches-in-sacrifice/

How does one measure a life well lived? In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks us to reflect on this question and challenges us to look for the answer beyond ourselves. To guide us in reflection, Jesus offers a parable. In the story, a man’s crops have just yielded him riches. So much so, that he intends to spend the rest of his days relaxing and reaping the benefits of his crops. But God has different plans. READ MORE: https://cmmb.org/there-are-riches-in-sacrifice/

As people of faith, we recognize God as our guide. We pray to him in times of need and in times of peace. But before God can guide, he must first listen. In today’s Gospel, we explore God as a listener. Our reading begins as Jesus is approached by his disciples. They ask him for guidance on how to pray. Jesus offers them a parable in which a man arrives at the home of a friend in the middle of the night. Hesitant about waking his family up, the friend is unsure if he should let the man into his home. But as Jesus explains, if the man persists knocking, his friend will let him in. READ MORE: https://cmmb.org/seek-change-through-listening/

“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” When we reflect on what it means to be a disciple, service and sacrifice are among the actions that come to mind. But as Jesus shows us in today’s Gospel, discipleship takes shape in many forms. Our passage begins as Jesus arrives at the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha hurries to welcome and serve Jesus as a guest in her home. Mary takes a different action. Instead of tending to Jesus, she sits at his feet and listens to him speak. READ MORE : https://cmmb.org/listen-for-change/

In today’s Gospel we read a powerful parable. Spoken by Jesus, the story seeks to define what it means to be a neighbor. The parable begins with a man who has just fallen victim to robbers on the side of the road. He is injured and unable to continue his journey. Read more: cmmb.org/be-the-neighbor-jesus-speaks-of/

In last week’s reading, Jesus began his journey to Jerusalem. In this week’s reading, he sends his disciples out on their own journeys to prepare for the Kingdom of God. Jesus knows that the journey will not be easy for his disciples. But with their faith comes purpose, guidance, and a sense of mission that will help guide them forward. Read more: https://cmmb.org/the-power-of-hope/

CMMB recently announced a commitment to equip community health workers around the globe with the resources they need to expand their reach and save more lives. Since doing so, we’ve dedicated some of our time to reflect on the daily journeys of these health care heroes—the many miles they travel over difficult terrain, the life-saving care they deliver to remote communities, and, what we can do to help. Read More: https://cmmb.org/the-journey-cannot-wait/

Today, on Father’s Day, many of us are celebrating the father figures in our lives and the love they have shown us. Fittingly, our Gospel reading this Sunday asks us to reflect on one of Jesus’ momentous acts of love—the feeding of the 5,000. In our passage, we find Jesus surrounded by a crowd of 5,000 people. His 12 disciples approach Jesus and encourage him to send the crowds to the village to find nourishment. Instead, Jesus encourages his disciples to share their own provisions—five loaves of bread and two fish. The disciples protest, as they do not understand how their few provisions will feed a crowd of 5,000. Read more: cmmb.org/extend-your-love-on-fathers-day/

Today’s Gospel invites us to reflect on the Holy Trinity. As followers of Jesus, we understand the Holy Trinity as God in three people. Though this is one of the great mysteries of our faith, we approach our future at peace with what we cannot understand, and appreciation for what we can. Read more: cmmb.org/we-do-not-walk-alone/

In today’s Gospel, we celebrate the end of the Easter season. On this Pentecost Sunday, we are directed to revisit John’s account of when Jesus revealed himself to his disciples and shared with them the gift of peace. Bestowed to the disciples through the Holy Spirit, the gift of peace is given with great responsibility. In order to embrace the gift of peace, one must also embrace the responsibility of service to others. Read more: https://cmmb.org/someone-is-knocking/

Today’s Gospel celebrates the Ascension of the Lord. Our verses, which are taken from Luke’s Gospel, bring us to Jesus’ final moments with the disciples. In Jesus’ parting dialogue with his disciples, he explains that they are his witnesses. While Jesus will no longer walk among men and women, his disciples will carry out his mission—in service, guidance, and in bearing witness. Read more: cmmb.org/walk-jesus-path/

In today’s Gospel, Jesus sits with his disciples and prepares them for his departure. As we read through each verse, we learn that though Jesus intends to leave his disciples in the physical sense, his presence will remain with them through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit invites us to forge our path forward with Jesus’ guidance at every step, every setback, and every triumph. When we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, we open ourselves to Jesus’ mission. Read more: cmmb.org/find-your-impact/

Today’s Gospel takes us to the last supper, where Jesus defines the meaning of love with his disciples. For Jesus, love is shown through action—through acts of compassion, service, and sacrifice. In many ways, Jesus seeks to show his disciples that love is not always easy. Our gifts of compassion may not be met with grace. Our moments of service may be met with challenge. The impact of our sacrifice may at first feel inconsequential. But, as Jesus tells his disciples, this is the reality of love. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. Read more: cmmb.org/love-in-action-weekly-reflection/

In today’s Gospel, Jesus identifies himself as the shepherd. As such, it is his responsibility to guide, nurture, and comfort his flock. In many ways, this is the same role that we witness women around the world embrace. We see it in the mother who travels days on foot so that her child can be safely delivered in a healthcare facility. We see it in the neighbor who goes out of her way to make sure the family next door has enough to eat. We see it in the program manager, who has dedicated her life to serving mothers and their children. Read more: https://cmmb.org/celebrating-moth…nd-women-leaders/

Today’s Gospel begins on the banks of the sea. Jesus’ disciples have been fishing all night without any success. Jesus appears and directs them to cast their nets once more. This time, they catch hundreds of fish. The final words of this passage transpire between Jesus and Peter Simon. Jesus tasks Peter with following in his footsteps to continue his mission. Read More: https://cmmb.org/comfort-in-jesus-presence/

Today we reflect with you on the second Sunday of Easter and continue to rejoice in the hope that this season embodies. But the gift of hope and salvation that Easter brings also comes with great responsibility. When the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples, he blesses them with the Holy Spirit and tasks them with continuing his mission. Today, as members of our Church community, we are tasked with the same—but our path to discipleship is different. Read More: https://cmmb.org/faith-in-action-reflection/

Our journey to Easter comes full circle today as we celebrate, among friends and family, the resurrection of Jesus. May you find joy, peace, and love in the salvation that Jesus has given us. The passage we read on this special day comes from the Gospel of John. It begins when Mary of Magdala discovers Jesus’ body is missing. John does not reveal exactly what the disciples conclude when they see the empty tomb for themselves, but makes it clear that they do not realize Jesus has risen. Read More: https://cmmb.org/be-a-drop-in-the-ocean/

We write to you today on Palm Sunday—the start of our Holy Week. The Gospel we will reflect on this morning takes us through the events of Jesus’ passion. Despite the great suffering that Jesus awaits, his leadership never wavers. His final moments with the disciples are spent stressing the importance of leadership and instilling the qualities of a great leader into them. In Jesus’ absence, the disciples must lead others to the Kingdom of God with confidence, grace, and compassion. Read More: https://cmmb.org/the-leader-within-us/

During the season of Lent, we continue to reflect on our role in Jesus’ mission. Today’s Gospel encourages us to do the very same, in relation to how we react to the actions of others—especially when we don’t understand them. In today’s reading, Jesus refuses to pass judgment on a woman who has sinned greatly. Under the pressure of Jewish leaders to put her to death, he surprises them and declares that the one who is free of sin should throw the first stone. Read More: https://cmmb.org/only-god-may-judge/