Sunday Readings: Isaiah 40.1-5,9-11; 2 Peter 3.8-14; Mark 1.1-8 “One more powerful than I will come after me.” – Matthew 1.7 Advent prepares us o celebrate the incarnation–God becoming one of us. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, the one Israel’s prophet Isaiah promised God would send. By loving us as one of us, Jesus […]
Gospel Reflection for December 10, 2017, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 63.16-17,19; 64.2-7; 1 Corinthians 1.3-9; Mark 13.33-37 “Stay awake, for you do not know when the owner of the house will come.” – Matthew 13.35 Advent begins a new Church year with a gospel about the end of all things. Instead of a date for the end, Jesus gives us a
Gospel Reflection for December 3, 2017, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
This week’s Spirit is about waking up to what is happening in the world around us. It is easy to put off unpleasant issues and can be challenging to convince others of a problem we see. Maggie Rogers’ song “Alaska” is about taking a challenging path alone, sometimes without the people we love, and moving
Music and the Gospel: “Alaska,” 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Ezekiel 34.11-12,15-17; 1 Corinthians 15.20-26,28; Matthew 25.31-46 “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we you were a stranger and welcome you or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit
Gospel Reflection for November 26, 2017, Feast of Christ the King Read More »
The last Sunday of the liturgical year celebrates Jesus as Christ the King, who promises to judge us on whether we do the works of mercy. Catholic social teaching challenges us to these same actions. We can all take part in helping those who need food, clothing, water, shelter whether it’s donating resources or helping
Sunday’s gospel is about investing in our talents. SPIRIT encourages us to look at our talents and gifts and to use them. Who benefits from our gifts, who beside ourselves? Do we use our gifts to enrich our spirit, team, and community? The song “Champion” is about how champions are forged out of their experiences
Music and the Gospel: “Champion,” Fall Out Boy, 33rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Proverbs 31.1-13, 19-20, 30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5.1-6; Matthew 25.14-30 “The servant who received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and buried the master’s money.” – Matthew 25.19 The master in the parable of the talents puts servants in charge of huge amounts of money. A worker in Jesus’ time
Gospel Reflection for November 19, 2017, 33rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Wisdom 6.12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18; Matthew 25.1-13 “The wise girls brought flasks of oil along with their lamps.” – Matthew 25.4 When Matthew writes more than 50 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Christians no longer expect Jesus’ immanent return. Instead, they are reflecting on how to live wisely and faithfully during the
Gospel Reflection for November 12, 2017, 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
SPIRIT asks us, “When do you pray?” Our lives are often busy with school, work, family, and friends, constantly in motion. We often forget to slow down and snatch a moment of reflection. Slowing down (even a 15-minute walk) can often be a prayerful and centering. It helps us to clear our heads and open
Music and the Gospel: “Breathless,” Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Our first impressions are often stereotypes. We make assumptions based on people’s appearance, how they talk, and how they act. We have to look beyond what our eyes see. The song “Go As You Are” reminds us to keep our eyes open to see who the people we encounter day by day really are. Key
Music and the Gospel: “Go As You Are,” Curtis Harding, 31st Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »