In this Sunday’s gospel from Matthew, we hear the story of Jesus’ baptism. Jesus goes to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist, who had been performing baptisms for Jews who wished to repent of their sins. At first, John is uncomfortable with the idea of baptizing Jesus, since John had been […]
Beloved Children of God Read More »
After Jesus was baptized be John, a voice from the heavens spoke. “This is my beloved Son. My favor rests on him.” Matthew 3.17 In receiving John’s baptism, Jesus passes from private life in Galilee to public life characterized by humility and compassionate justice. At his baptism the Spirit of God commissions him for his
Gospel Reflection for January 12, 2014, Baptism of the Lord Read More »
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/14579605″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] “Resist the Tide,” Cynthia Hopkins, The Truth: A Tragedy, Gloria Deluxe Music 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
Current Music and the Gospel: SPIRIT Xtra for January 12 Read More »
Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” Matthew 2.2 The gospel tells us little about the foreigners who come to worship Jesus, but we have clothed them in rich detail. Why?
Gospel Reflection for January 5, Epiphany Sunday Read More »
The angel of God appeared to Joseph with this command. “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.” Matthew 2.13 In Sunday’s gospel the Holy Family is on the run to protect Jesus’ life. King
Gospel Reflection for December 29, Feast of the Holy Family Read More »
In a dream, an angel told Joseph, “Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife. It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child. She is to have a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew
Gospel Reflection for December 22, Fourth Sunday of Advent Read More »
In the gospel of December 15, John the Baptist sends messengers, asking Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come? Or, are we to wait for another?” It’s a question for us. What are we waiting for? I wait for every day with a little contemplation. I have a rooster candle stand on our
What Are We Waiting For? Homily by Sister Joan Mitchell, CSJ Read More »
In Sunday’s gospel an angel challenges Joseph in a dream to trust God and remain true to Mary. Accepting a child he knew was not his must have challenged Joseph, but he chooses to trust in the words of the angel and protect Mary and Jesus from a life of poverty and insecurity. The song
Current Music and the Gospel: SPIRIT Xtra December 22 Read More »
In this week’s Gospel (Matthew 3:1-12), we read about John the Baptist preaching repentance in the desert and baptizing the throngs of people who came, acknowledging their sins. In case his readers and hearers miss the significance of this seemingly simply man, who dressed in camel’s hair and survived by eating locusts and wild honey,
Making Straight the Path Read More »
When John the Baptist heard in prison about the works Christ did, he sent a message by his disciples to ask, “Tell us, are you the one to come?” Matthew 11.2-3 In his ministry Jesus is not hacking dead branches off the family tree of Israel nor winnowing hypocrites from among repentant sinners as John
Gospel Reflection for December 15th: Third Sunday of Advent Read More »