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 »
In Sunday’s gospel, the followers of John the Baptist want to know if Jesus is the one John has told them about. Jesus praises John for how he has lived and preached. John was true to who he was and able to respond to God’s call in his life. “Burn” is a song about how
Current Music and the Gospel: SPIRIT Xtra for December 15 Read More »
John the Baptist speaks about Jesus, saying, “I baptize with water for the sake of reform, but the one who will follow me is more powerful than I. I am not even fit to carry his sandals. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3.11 Fierce and holy like the prophet
Gospel Reflection for December 8, 2013, Second Sunday of Advent Read More »
John the Baptist challenges the Pharisees and Sadducees to live lives that match the words they speak in this Sunday’s gospel. People in our world obsess with image. To live true to what we believe and who we really want to be is hard. The song “Red Hands” describes the challenge of being honest with
Current Music and the Gospel: December 8 SPIRIT Xtra Read More »
This coming Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, a relatively new feast in the two century-long history of the Catholic church. It was instituted in 1925 through the encyclical Quas Primas by Pope Pius XI, who believed that respect for Christ and Christ’s Church was waning due to the rise of secularism.
Feast of Christ the King Read More »
Jesus said, “You must be prepared. The Son of Man is coming at a time you do not know.” Matthew 23.44 Advent is time of remembering God’s fidelity and God’s desires for relationship with God’s people. We are pregnant with the Spirit and in labor to bring God’s kingdom to birth among us. Now is
Gospel Reflection for December 1st, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
Advent begins the liturgical year in the Roman Catholic Church. A new year is a time of change, and in the gospel this Sunday, Jesus warns his followers to prepare for great changes. We can reflect on the past year and challenge ourselves for the year to come. “Radioactive” is a song about a time
Current Music and the Gospel: SPIRIT Xtra December 1st Read More »