SPIRIT this week explores ways the Holy Spirit moves in us—in our failures and regrets as well as our gold stars and friendships. Sometimes we sense the Spirit stirring during quiet contemplation. The Spirit risks new friendships with us or pushes to give our best to a challenge. Sia’s song “The Greatest” is all about […]
Music and the Gospel: “The Greatest,” Sia Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 49.3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 1.1-3; John 1.29-34 “Now I have seen for myself and have testified, ‘This is God’s chosen one.’” – John 1.34 Theology is faith seeking understanding. Christology is faith in Jesus seeking to understand who he is and his purposes for us. Christologies grow out of images and insights we draw from
Gospel Reflection for January 19, 2020, 2nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus’ baptism reveals his true identity and call as the Son of God. For each of us, our baptism is a sign to the world of our identity as children of God. Baptism is the sacrament that initiates us into the Christian community. Key Lines: You know you’ve got a voice / That you can
Music and the Gospel: “Resist the Tide,” Cynthia Hopkins Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 42.1-4, 6-7; Acts 10.34-38; Matthew 3.13-17 Jesus appeared before John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John resisted, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” “Let it be this way for now. It is fitting to fulfill all God’s demands,” Jesus said. After Jesus
Gospel Reflection for January 12, 2019, Baptism of the Lord Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2.1-12 After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east arrived on day in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage” (Matthew 2.1-2). The magi are not Jews;
Gospel Reflection for January 5, 2019, Feast of Epiphany Read More »
This week’s SPIRIT explores the story of magi, three seekers from lands other than Israel who journey to Jerusalem to find the newborn king. Like them we are seekers who see God’s hand in the stars and in all of nature. With God becoming human in Jesus, Christians now also look for ways Jesus appears
Music and the Gospel: ” King of Kings,” Hillsong United, Epiphany Read More »
This week’s SPIRIT is about caring for others, being a caregiver and showing compassion for those around us. Whether we care for an elderly person, a child, or someone with a disability, people have remarkable ways of living that can inspire us. Someone’s capacity for strength and resilience can teach us how to approach each
Music and the Gospel: “Smile,” Sidewalk Prophets Read More »
Gospel Reflection for December 15, 2019, 3rd Sunday of Advent Sunday Readings: Isaiah 35.1-6,10; James 5.7-10; Matthew 11.2-11 In his ministry Jesus is not hacking dead branches off the family tree of Israel nor winnowing hypocrites from among repentant sinners as John expected he would. Jesus is so different from the axe-wielding, chaff-winnowing judge that
Gospel Reflection for December 15, 2019, 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
This week SPIRIT focuses on open-mindedness and communication, on discovering what we can find in common with people who hold different beliefs, come from different cultures, and have life experiences unlike our own. We live in a global world with social media and the Internet at our fingertips. We need to learn how to build bridges between
Music and the Gospel: “Everyday Life,” Coldplay Read More »
Gospel Reflection for December 8, 2019, 2nd Sunday of Advent Sunday Readings: Isaiah 2.1-5; Romans 13.11-14; Matthew 23.37-44 Ours are not the only troubled times. The prophet Isaiah describes in Sunday’s first reading an ideal king and a peaceable kin*dom. Small wonder, Isaiah lives in the years following the Assyria army’s destruction of the northern
Gospel Reflection for December 8, 2019, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »