Gospel reflection for March 17th, 5th Sunday of Lent: In Sunday’s gospel Jesus rescues a woman caught in adultery, a crime punishable by death. The woman feels ashamed, but Jesus turns his attention to those who condemn her, forcing them to recognize none of them are perfect. In this action Jesus shows us that compassion […]
Current Music and the Gospel: “Stubborn Love,” The Lumineers Read More »
The topic of siblings usually provokes conversation. Siblings may consider some of us oldest children bossy even though parents might use the words dependable and responsible. Many of us have the wild or special-needs brother or sister who absorbs more attention than the rest. This is the one who wrecks the car or who gets
Which son are you? Read More »
My son, you are with me always, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice! This brother of yours was dead and lives again. He was lost and is found. Luke 15.31-32 In Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, Luke holds up not only a model of conversion in
Gospel Reflection for March 10, 2013, 4th Sunday of Lent Read More »
Gospel Reflection for March 10, 4th Sunday of Lent: Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son tells two stories. The younger son’s story shows us God’s endless love and forgiveness. But we may feel sympathy with the jealous older brother who feels unappreciated and can’t accept his father’s response. The song “Feel Again” by OneRepublic reminds
Current Music and the Gospel: “Feel Again,” OneRepublic Read More »
Jesus tells a parable about a man who plants a fig tree in his orchard but finds no fruit after three years. The man tells the gardener to cut it down. The gardener said, “Sir, leave it one more year while I hoe around it and manure it. Perhaps then it will bear figs. If
Gospel Reflection for March 3, 3rd Sunday in Lent Read More »
Gospel Reflection for March 3, 3rd Sunday of Lent: In Sunday’s gospel parable Jesus teaches his followers both to be more forgiving and to ask for forgiveness when they make a mistake. The gardener in the parable gives the fig tree one more chance to bear fruit, but it can be much harder to give
Current Music & The Gospel: “Second Chance,” Tristan Prettyman Read More »
In the gospel for the 1st Sunday of Lent the Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, where he duels with the devil. The Spirit fills Mary, Elizabeth, Zachariah, and Simeon before descending upon Jesus at his baptism and leading him into the desert. All these activities culminate in Jesus’ first preaching, his inaugural address
Gospel Reflection for Lent: How does the Holy Spirit work in our world? Read More »
Gospel Reflection for February 24, 2nd Sunday of Lent: When Jesus’ friends follow him up the mountain to pray, they are able to see his true self. By spending time with Jesus in prayer, we too can get to know who Jesus truly is. Even though life can be very busy, this time spent with
Current Music and the Gospel: “I Will Wait,” Mumford and Sons Read More »
The devil had been tempting Jesus in the desert. Jesus said, “Scripture says, ‘You shall not put the Holy One your God to the test.’” Luke 4.9 In their theological duel Jesus and his antagonist express two very different interpretations of the role and mission of the messiah. The devil tempts Jesus to display his
Gospel Reflection for February 17, 1st Sunday of Lent Read More »
Gospel Reflection for February 17, 1st Sunday of Lent: Carrie Underwood’s song “Good Girl” is about how tempting even a bad relationship can be. In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus faces his own temptations at the hands of the devil. The temptations we face are different for each person, but the resolve to remain strong is
Current Music and the Gospel: “Good Girl,” Carrie Underwood Read More »