“What Doesn’t Kill You,” Kelly Clarkson, Stronger, 19 Recordings Limited Gospel Reflection: The solitude of the desert tested Jesus. Our relationships can test our values and make us struggle with what we really want. “What Doesn’t Kill You” is a song about one of those relationships and how surviving a test can make us stronger. […]
“What Doesn’t Kill You,” SPIRIT Xtra for February 26, 2012 Read More »
“Secrets,” OneRepublic, Waking Up, Mosley Music/Interscope Records Gospel Reflection: Jesus forgives sins. We have the power to forgive each other for our mistakes, hurts, and slights. But sometimes, fear or shame can keep us from asking for or granting forgiveness. The song ‘Secrets’ is about letting go of these negative emotions and being truthful about
“Secrets,” SPIRIT Xtra for February 19, 2012 Read More »
Friends were so desperate to maneuver a paralyzed man through the crowds to Jesus for healing that they climbed up on the roof of house Jesus was in and lowered the man down in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”
Gospel Reflection for February 19, 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Who Is This Jesus? by Claire Bischoff In the midst of my relatively easy, middle class existence, it is far too easy to make Jesus easy, too. If I am not careful, the emotional Jesus who overturned tables in the temple courtyard and the revolutionary Jesus who proposed a year of Jubilee and who welcomed to
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A leper came to Jesus, imploring him urgently and kneeling as he spoke, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched the man. Jesus said, “I will. Be made clean.” Mark 1.40-42 Lepers in Jesus’ time and until our century lived their lives apart from
Gospel Reflection for February 12, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Gospel Reflection: In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus heals the sick and frees people possessed by demons, bringing them out of loneliness and back into their communities. Foster the People’s song “Waste” is about reaching out to someone who is isolated and giving the person hope, just as Jesus reached out to the people he encountered
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Simon said, “Jesus, my mother-in-law is sick in bed with a fever.” Jesus went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her immediately, and she began to serve them. Mark 1.30-31 Simon Peter’s mother-in-law responds to Jesus’ act of raising her up by serving him. She becomes a
A Gospel Reflection for February 5, 2012, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
January 27, 2012 by Claire Bischoff This week’s Gospel (Mark 1:21-28) describes Jesus commanding “an unholy spirit” to come out of a man. The people who observe this act wonder at the authority Jesus possesses, exclaiming that even the unholy spirits obey his word. Many people in the technological and scientific world of today might
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“Rise to Me,” The Decemberists, The King Is Dead, Capitol Records Gospel Reflection: Not only does Jesus speak with authority in Sunday’s gospel, his actions match his words as he casts out a demon. Even when it would have been easier to ignore the possessed man, Jesus stands his ground and sets him free. “Rise
“Rise To Me,” SPIRIT Xtra for January 29, 2012 Read More »
There was a man in the synagogue with an unclean spirit. He cried out, “What do you want from us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are―the Holy One of God! Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent. Go out of the man.” At that the unclean spirit convulsed
A Gospel Reflection for January 29, 2012, 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »