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Gospel Reflection for November 6, 2016, 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time

Sunday Readings: 2 Maccabees 7.1-2, 9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2.16-3.5; Luke 20.27-38 For U. S, citizens debate fatigue has nearly exhausted us during this election year. Jesus, however, continues debating in Sunday’s Gospel. This Sunday the topic is resurrection. Jesus goes each day to the Temple courts and interacts with the religious and political groups of […]

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Music and the Gospel: “Unsteady,” X Ambassadors, 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time

People react to grief in different ways. Some people distance themselves and internalize their grief. Others may express their grief and adapt quickly to their loss. The loss of a loved one can shake up any family and environment. The song “Unsteady” is an expression of this shake up, what we feel when solid ground

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Music and the Gospel: “Sound of Silence,” Disturbed, 31st Sunday Ordinary Time

The song “The Sound of Silence” is about people being unable to bridge the gaps between them and communicate or understand one another. Often times, we take one look at someone and think we know all about them based on where they are from, how they speak, how they dress, even their skin color. These

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Music and the Gospel: “All I Need,” Cape Cub, 30th Sunday Ordinary Time

“All who make little of themselves will be lifted up, but all who make much of themselves will be brought down (Luke 18.14).” It can be difficult to work hard achieving a goal or be part of a team only to find out we’ve been “benched.” Our pride and sense of self-righteousness can make us

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Gospel Reflection for October 23, 2016, 30th Sunday Ordinary Time

Scripture Readings: Wisdom 11.22–12.2; 2 Thessalonians 1.11–2.2; Luke 19.1-10 “When he reached the sycamore tree, Jesus looked up and said, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry down, I must stay at your house today.’” – Luke 19.5 The tax collector Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus. He is a seeker. When Jesus notices him in the tree, he

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Gospel Reflection for October 16, 2016, 29th Sunday Ordinary Time

Sunday Readings: Exodus 17.8-13; 2 Timothy 3.14-4.2; Luke 18.18 “Take up my case. Give me my just rights against my opponent.” – Luke 18.3 The widow in Jesus’ parable this Sunday is not asking for food and basic necessities. She is seeking her “just rights.” The word in Greek, ekdikeo, is not the usual term

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Music and the Gospel: “Just Like Fire,” Pink, 29th Sunday Ordinary Time

As of 2013, roughly 65 million children (over half of them girls) were unable to continue school beyond an elementary grade level. This is especially common in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Many of the girls in these countries are actually expected to get married and start families at very young ages. Schools like the

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Gospel Reflection for October 9, 2016, 28th Sunday Ordinary Time

Sunday Readings: 2 Kings 5.14-17; 2 Timothy 2.8-13; Luke 17.11-17 Jesus asked, “Weren’t ten lepers cleansed? Where are the other nine?” – Luke 17.17 In Sunday’s gospel only one of the ten lepers Jesus heals returns to thank Jesus. The passage prompts us to practice gratitude to God and to one another. Being alive calls

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Music and the Gospel: “Friends,” Francis and the Lights, ft. Bon Iver & Kanye West, 28th Sunday Ordinary Time

This Sunday’s gospel talks about Jesus’ encounter with ten lepers. They call to Jesus, ask him for compassion, and Jesus grants it. There is often more to a person than meets the eye. Sometimes a person doesn’t look or act “normal” by our standards, and we allow that to blind us to the beauty and

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Gospel Reflection for October 2, 2016, 27th Sunday Ordinary Time

Sunday Readings: Wisdom 9.13-28; Philomen 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14.25-33 “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, spouse and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even life itself, cannot be my follower; whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14.26-27 Jesus continues on his journey

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