Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket. The place for a lamp is on a stand where it gives light to all in the house.” Matthew 5:15 Jesus compares his disciples to light. People made lamps in Jesus’ day from clay. Household lamps were small enough for those
Gospel Reflection for February 9, 2014, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus asks his followers to share their gifts with the world: to be salt for the earth and to let their lights shine. However, sharing who we are isn’t always easy even with friends. Katy Perry’s “Roar” is a song about the courage it takes to share our gifts. Key Lines: I got the eye
Current Music & The Gospel: “Roar,” Katy Perry Read More »
An old man, Simeon, received and blessed Jesus when Mary and Joseph presented him at the temple. “Lord, you can let your servant go in peace; you have fulfilled your word. My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before all the nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory
Gospel Reflection for February 2, 2014, Feast of the Presentation Read More »
Reflection for February 2nd, Feast of the Presentation: Two elders, Simeon and Anna, anticipate how important Jesus is when his parents bring him to the temple to dedicate him to God. He will be a light to the world and the glory of his own people. Likewise, all of us are created in the image
Music & The Gospel: “Wake Up Everybody,” John Legend and The Roots Read More »
Jesus said to the fishermen, “Come follow me. I want you to gather people in your nets.” Matthew 4.19 Christians today may wonder why the four fishermen so unhesitatingly follow a man who comes walking along the lake shore and invites them to, “Follow me.” Matthew is writing about the call of Peter, Andrew,
Gospel Reflection for January 26, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
In this Sunday’s gospel Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, an area where people lived in darkness after their kingdom was destroyed. With his teaching Jesus brings light to them and begins calling people to follow him into the light. Our baptisms call us to be lights to each other and to our communities. By
Music & The Gospel: “Madeleine,” Backstreet Boys Read More »
The fourth gospel begins in God time and enters history only in verse 6, when “a man named John was sent from God…to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him” (1.6-7). Jesus has no birth story and no parents at the beginning of this gospel. Instead he has a dedicated public
Gospel Reflection for January 19, 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
http://youtu.be/9BMnXXrvcyA Sometimes seeing what and who are truly important in our lives can be difficult. John the Baptist doesn’t recognize Jesus at first! But God tells John to look for one filled with the Spirit. Like John, we must listen for God’s voice to help guide us to the truth. Key Lines: Lately I been,
Current Music and the Gospel: OneRepublic, Counting Stars Read More »
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 »