Sunday Readings: Wisdom 11.22—12.2; 2 Thessalonians 1.11—2.2; Luke 19.1-10 Murmurers in the crowd said, “Jesus has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus spoke to Jesus. “I will give half my possessions, Lord, to the poor. If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as […]
Gospel Reflection for October 30, 2022 – 31st Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Sirach 35.12-14,16-18; 2 Timothy 4.6-8,16-18; Luke 18.9-14 Jesus told this parable to his disciples. Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed these things concerning himself—”I give you thanks, O God, that I am not like other people—
Gospel Reflection for October 23, 2022 – 30th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
In Flannel Graph’s “Five Foot Three,” the singer reflects on her lack of material wealth. She knows the only gift she can give her loved one is the gift of her authentic self. Is the singer merely self-deprecating, or is her humility something deeper? According to St. Teresa of Avila, “to be humble is to
Music and the Gospel: ” Five Foot Three,” Flannel Graph Read More »
Sunday Readings: Exodus 17.8-13; 2 Timothy 3.14—4.2; Luke 18.1-8 Jesus told his disciples a parable with a point—to pray always and not lose heart. There was a judge in a certain city who neither feared God nor respected human beings. A widow in that same city kept coming to him and saying, “Take up my
Gospel Reflection for October 16, 2022 – 29th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Despairing is easy. Hoping is harder. Working and praying for justice in today’s world can be an arduous task, just as it was for the widow in Jesus’s parable. However, we are called to persist in hope like she did, even against all odds. Andra Day’s song “Rise Up” is an anthem for those who
Music and the Gospel: “Rise Up,” Andra Day Read More »
Sunday Readings: 2 Kings 14-17 2 Timothy 2.8-13 Luke 17.11-19 On their way the lepers found they were cleansed. One of them seeing that he had been healed, turned back, praising God in a loud voice. He fell at Jesus’ feet, thanking him. This man was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are
Gospel Reflection for October 9, 2022 – 28th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
The song “Eustace Scrubb” is inspired by the character of the same name in C.S. Lewis’s novel Voyage of the Dawn Treader. In the book, Eustace repels others with a prickly and snobbish exterior out of his fear of being vulnerable. With the help of kindness and acceptance from a few unexpected friends, he is
Music and the Gospel: “Eustice Scrubb,” by Sarah Sparks Read More »
Sunday Readings: Habakkuk 1.2-3; 2.2-4 2 Timothy 1.6-8,13-14 Luke 17.5-10 His disciples said to Jesus, “Increase our faith, Lord.” Jesus answered, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.” Luke groups four wise Christian
Gospel Reflection for October 2, 2022 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Amos 6.1,4-7, 1 Timothy 6.11-16, Luke 16.19-31 Jesus told his friends a story about a beggar and a rich man. Once there was a rich man who dressed in royal purple and fine linen. He ate splendidly every day. At the rich man’s gate lay a beggar, a man named Lazarus, who was
Gospel Reflection for September 25, 2022 – 26th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Amos 8.4-7, 1 Timothy 2.1-8, Luke 16.1-13 A wealthy man had a business manager. He heard reports that the manager was embezzling, so he called the manager in and said, “What’s this I hear about you? Give me your account books and get out—you’re fired!” The business manager thought this over to himself.
Gospel Reflection for September 18, 2022 -25th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »