Jesus said, “The one who enters through the gate is shepherd of the sheep; the keeper opens the gate for him. The sheep hear his voice as he calls his own by name and leads them out.” John 10.30-31 The shepherd allegory offers the intimacy between shepherd and sheep as an image of the relationship […]
Gospel Reflection for May 11, 2014, Fourth Sunday of Easter Read More »
Where do we find Jesus in the post-resurrection time in which we live? For those of us who did not get to know Jesus during his embodiment on earth, how do we now get to know him now? This Sunday’s Gospel, the road to Emmaus story from Luke 24, gives us some important clues to
Two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus and began talking to a stranger about Jesus’ death and all that had transpired since that time. They did not recognize that the stranger was the risen Jesus. While Jesus sat with the two disciples, he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them.
Gospel Reflection for May 4, 2014, Third Sunday of Easter Read More »
When the risen Jesus appears to his friends on the road, they don’t recognize him immediately. However, they say their “hearts were on fire” when they talked with him and recognized him when they shared a meal. Similarly, when we feel moved to act out of compassion or justice, or we know in our hearts
Music and the Gospel: “Compass” and the 3rd Sunday of Easter Read More »
Jesus’ followers were hiding from the Jews when Jesus appeared to them. Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound, they are held bound.” John 20.22-23 Easter is about transformation and action. Jesus hands over to the community the
Gospel Reflection for April 27, 2014, Second Sunday of Easter Read More »
Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb and found that Jesus was missing. She could not find him and was crying. Jesus asked, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?Mary supposed the man to be the gardener and responded, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid
Gospel Reflection for April 20, 2014, Easter Sunday Read More »
There are three scenes in this Sunday’s Gospel that give me an odd sort of comfort. The first scene takes place in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus has gone to pray. We are not told this explicitly, but I get the sense that Jesus just needed to get away from it all at this
We Are Only Human: An Odd Comfort Read More »
When we remember the passion of Jesus, we also remember the struggles and suffering that many in our communities face every day. This is a day to learn more about their needs, pray for them, and find ways to help. Like the story of Jesus’ passion, the song “Pompeii” reminds us of the need to
Music and the Gospel: Palm Sunday and “Pompeii” by Bastille Read More »
About three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud tone, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means, “My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27.46 The events of the passion test and manifest Jesus’ love for God, for the world, for his friends, and for the community that still gathers in his name.
Gospel Reflection for April 13, 2014, Palm/Passion Sunday Read More »
Jesus puts his own life on the line when he calls Lazarus out of his tomb and back to life. Following Jesus can also lead us to surprising places. The song “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” reminds us that our faith can lead us places we never expected. Key Lines: You call me out upon
Current Music and the Gospel, “Oceans,” Hillsong UNITED Read More »