This weekend, the people of the United States go to parks, play and swim, eat hot dogs, and watch red, white and blue fireworks cascade, explode, and spill down dark night skies. The Fourth of July celebrates the signing of this nation’s Declaration of Independence from England and George III in 1776. We come to […]
Independence Day: A reflection by Joan Mitchell, CSJ Read More »
Jesus said to the 72 appointed missionaries, “Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what they set before you and cure the sick there. Say to them: ‘The reign of God has come near.’” Luke 10.8-9 Jesus advises the missionaries no walking staff, no traveling bag, no sandals, and no visiting
Gospel Reflection for July 7, 2013, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and keeps looking back is fit for the reign of God.” Luke 9.62 In Sunday’s gospel two people ask to join Jesus’ company as they walk along, and Jesus invites a third to follow him. The exchanges between Jesus and these three instruct us
Gospel Reflection for June 30, 2013, 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love. The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Jesus spoke to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7.47-48 The anonymous woman who bathes Jesus’ feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, and anoints
Gospel Reflection for June 16, 2013, 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus saw a widow crying as the body of her only son was being carried out. Luke 7.14-15 Jesus came forward and touched the coffin, and the bearers halted. “Young man, I tell you, arise,” said Jesus. The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Unlike many suppliants in
Gospel Reflection for June 9, 2013, 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
“Remember all music was once new music.” That’s the sign-off for a public radio music broadcast that features current compositions and performances. Sounds that wrap us in melody and memory today may have once jarred listeners. The same theme applies to revelation. All revelation was once new revelation, that is, if with our Judeo Christian
Revelation is dialogue: An excerpt from Sunday By Sunday for Trinity Sunday Read More »
Jesus said to his disciples, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, this One will guide you along the way of all truth.” John 16.12 Jesus recognizes he has more to say than his friends can hear or bear. He cannot ready his
Gospel Reflection for May 26, 2013, Trinity Sunday Read More »
Jesus said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained. John 20.22-23 The risen Christ sends us out into the world, empowers us with the Holy Spirit, and calls us to use our power according to his way
Gospel Reflection for May 19, 2013, Pentecost Read More »
by Joan Mitchell, CSJ “In the cosmology of Jesus’ time, God and the heavens were up and human beings and Earth were below. Our 2,000-year-old gospel tells the story of the risen Jesus’ return to God in the cosmology everyone assumed in the first century. To return to God is to go to the heavens.
An excerpt from Sunday By Sunday Read More »
Then Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. As he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. Luke 24.50-51 The ascension is the hinge event between Jesus’ resurrection and his sending of the Spirit. Luke ends his gospel with Jesus’ departure
Gospel Reflection for May 12, Ascension Sunday Read More »