Scripture Readings: Revelation 7.2-4,9-14; 1 John 3.1-3; Matthew 5.1-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit; the reign of God belongs to them.” – Matthew 5.3 The beatitudes turn our assumptions about whom God blesses upside down. The eight sayings challenge us to live in ways quite contrary to profit-motivated values. The beatitudes expand in detail what the […]
Gospel Reflection for November 1, 2020 – Feast of All Saints Read More »
This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of All Saints. This means that “…we are one with all believers.” In other words, God blesses everyone, including those we don’t agree with, people of different cultures and beliefs, the poor, and the persecuted. We have the ability to create a culture of compassion and empathy, and the
Music and the Gospel: “Stand By You,” Rachel Platten – Feast of All Saints Read More »
Sunday Readings: Exodus 22.20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1.5-10; Matthew 22.34-40 “Teacher, which commandment of the law is the greatest?” – Matthew 22.36 In the gospels of the fall Sundays, Jesus inhabits the temple courts, teaching and disputing questions with other Jewish teachers and officials. The issues — tenants, taxes, and this Sunday, which commandment of the 613 is greatest? As
Gospel Reflection for October 25, 2020 – 30th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus teaches us the way to love God is to love one another. It doesn’t matter who we love, what religion we adhere to, what color our skin is, where we are on the economic scale. What matters the most is that we treat each other with respect, fairness, and
Music and the Gospel: “You Need To Calm Down,” Taylor Swift – 27th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Not all the people in our communities and nation have the same access to education, healthcare, and justice. This week’s SPIRIT spotlights Appalachia and the effects of mountaintop mining. The song “Truth to Power” was written from the viewpoint of Mother Earth, how she sees us and how our actions affect each other and the
Music and the Gospel: “Truth To Power,” OneRepublic Read More »
Sunday Scripture: Isaiah 45.1,4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1.1-5; Matthew 22.15-21 “Tell us, what is your opinion, is it lawful to pay the census tax to the emperor or not?” – Matthew 22.17 Pharisees and Herodians ask Jesus whether it is right to pay taxes to Caesar, the Roman emperor who claims to be divine. It’s a trick
Gospel Reflection for October 18, 2020 – 29th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 25.6-10; Philippians 4.12-14,19-20; Matthew 22.1-10 “The banquet is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out onto the main streets and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” – Matthew 22.9 The meal Jesus describes in Sunday’s gospel parable is more than the lavish dinner Luke describes in his gospel. Matthew
Gospel Reflection for October 11, 2020 – 28th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Immigration is a fiery topic today. Some people welcome immigrants; some resist others different from them. This week’s SPIRIT explores how accepting new people and cultures can benefit our communities and schools and expand our relationships with those around us. Prince Royce’s cover of the song “Stand By Me” is about coming together as friends, family, and neighbors,
Music and the Gospel: “Stand by Me,” Prince Royce Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 5.1-7; Philippians 4.6-9; Matthew 21.33-43 “With that the tenants seized the son, dragged him outside the vineyard, and killed him. When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” – Matthew 21.40 The vineyard workers in Sunday’s gospel are tenants. Like them, my family lived on someone
Gospel Reflection for October 4, 2020 – 27th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
This week’s SPIRIT is about stereotypes, how they influence our behavior and how we treat those who are different from us. It is also about how our prejudices and choices can harm others. Occasionally, someone (a friend, a parent) will insist that we don’t have a choice. But don’t we always have a choice? The
Current Music and the Gospel: “Be a Rebel,” New Order – 27th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »