“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3.14 Sunday’s gospel refers to Jesus’ crucifixion as a “lifting up.” Being lifted up condenses within a single verb the whole paschal mystery—Jesus’ crucifixion and death, […]
Gospel Reflection for September 14, 2014, Exaltation of the Holy Cross Read More »
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” Matthew 18.18 The whole of chapter 18 in Matthew speaks to Church, the ekkeisia. The word in Greek means assembly or gathering, the members of the Christian community. Jesus
Gospel Reflection for September 7, 2014, 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
“Those who want to become my followers, let them take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16.24 Jesus recommends denying oneself and taking up our crosses in Sunday’s gospel. This saying packs Jesus’ whole life into a single sentence. Jesus does not follow God’s will only in carrying the cross. He comes among us
Gospel Reflection for August 31, 2014, 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Matthew 16.13 What are people saying about me? Jesus’ question is a brave one. It’s a great interview question for potential employees. What do your colleagues or clients say about you? What are you proud that they say about you? Jesus’ question to his first disciples
Gospel Reflection for August 24, 2014, 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
“It’s not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” Matthew 15.26 Perhaps it is the rudeness of Jesus’ words that impels Matthew to edit Mark’s earlier version of this story. Matthew provides a reason for Jesus’ refusal to help this Gentile woman, whose daughter is tormented by a demon.
Gospel Reflection for August 17, 2014, 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
“Lord, if this is really you, command me to come to you on the water.” Matthew 14.28 Two spiritual heroes walk with doubt and despair in Sunday’s scripture readings. Both the apostle Peter and the prophet Elijah live and lead in unsettled times and experience questions we are asking today. Where is God in this
Gospel Reflection for August 10, 2014, 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13.44 As a teaching method, Jesus repeatedly explores the kingdom of heaven by comparing it to real life stories and
Gospel Reflection for August 3, 2014, 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full, they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good in buckets. What is bad they throw away. Matthew 13.47-48 Matthew never knows when to quit. Rather than end his chapter
Gospel Reflection for July 27, 2014, 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
Master, did you not sow good seed in your fields? Where did these weeds come from? Matthew 13.27 Life takes time; God’s reign will take time. In the end God’s wisdom is not human wisdom. Some apparent weeds may be flowers. The smallest of seeds may yet grow into a plant that provides hospitality for
Gospel Reflection for July 20, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
“Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” Matthew 13.8 Jesus’ parable of the sower is prophetic but the promised yield doesn’t happen within the gospel. There Jesus’ teachings fall on path, rocks, and weedy patches where the seeds fail to flourish. The disciples who
Gospel Reflection for July 13, 2014, 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »