A rich young man seems eager to follow Jesus until Jesus suggests that he give his money to the poor and come along with him and his other disciples. Teens are the young people Jesus asks to follow him today. These years are the time each of us starts to imagine adult life and recognize […]
Music and the Gospel: “Heart Wide Open,” Matt Brock Read More »
Sunday Readings: Wisdom 7.7-11; Hebrews 4.12-13; Mark 10.17-27 “You need do only one thing more.” – Mark 10.21 The young man in Sunday’s gospel wants to know what he can do to receive eternal life. Jesus names six of the ten commandments–no to killing, adultery, stealing, giving false witness, and cheating, and yes to honoring one’s parents.
Gospel Reflection for October 14, 2018, 28th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Growing up involves us in branching out and developing relationships with significant others beyond the family. Sometimes these relationships are fun and carefree, sometimes complicated and difficult. Sometimes they last, sometimes they don’t. The high school years are the ideal time to make relationships and learn to break them with care. This week’s SPIRIT focuses on relationships,
Music and the Gospel: “Let Me Down Slowly,” Alec Benjamin Read More »
Sunday Readings: Genesis 2.18-24; Hebrews 2.9-11; Mark 10.2-12 “God made humans male and female, and for this reason men and woman leave their fathers and mothers and the two become one.” – Mark 10.6-8 Some Pharisees ask Jesus in Sunday’s gospel, “Does the law permit divorce?” This question is still controversial today. The law of Moses does permit
Gospel Reflection for October 7, 2018, 27th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Numbers 11.25-29; James 5.1-6; Mark 9.38-48 “Whoever is not against us is for us.” – Mark 9.40 Often in our disgustingly polarized times, activists, liberal and conservative, reverse Jesus’ saying and eliminate the middle ground. They insist whoever is not for us is against us. Middle ground is liminal space, valuable to preserve for exploring what
Gospel Reflection for September 30, 2018, 26th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Wisdom 2.12,17-20; James 3.16–4.3; Mark 9.30-37 “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and the servant of all.” – Mark 9.32 Jesus’ disciples aren’t catching on to his words about the Son of Man being betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him and three days after being killed, he will
Gospel Reflection for September 23, 2018, 25th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 50.5-9; James 2.14-18; Mark 8.27-35 Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” – Mark 8.29 Jesus finally calls the question in chapter 8, the midpoint of Mark’s gospel. In a miracle just before Jesus asks this question, he has to try twice to open the
Gospel Reflection for September 16, 2018, 24th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Gospel Reflection for September 9, 2018, 23rd Sunday Ordinary Time Sunday Readings: Isaiah 35.4-7, James 2.1-5, Mark 7.31-37 “Ephphatha, Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus order them to tell no one, but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.” –
Gospel Reflection for September 9, 2018, 23rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 4.1-2,6-8; James 1.17-18,21-22,27; Mark 7.1-8,14-15, 21-23 “You forsake the commandment of God and hold to human tradition…It is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come.” – Mark 7.8, 21 Rules tend to multiply, and traditions accumulate. The Pharisees in Sunday’s gospel question why Jesus’ disciples do not follow Jewish
Gospel Reflection for September 2, 2018, 22nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Joshua 24.1-2, 15-17, 18; Ephesians 5.21-32; john 6.60-69 “The words I have spoken are spirit and life. But there are some among you who do not believe,” Jesus says. Many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said the the twelve: “Do you also want to leave?” Simon
Gospel Reflection for August 26, 2018, 21st Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »