People react to grief in different ways. Some people distance themselves and internalize their grief. Others may express their grief and adapt quickly to their loss. The loss of a loved one can shake up any family and environment. The song “Unsteady” is an expression of this shake up, what we feel when solid ground […]
Music and the Gospel: “Unsteady,” X Ambassadors, 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
The song “The Sound of Silence” is about people being unable to bridge the gaps between them and communicate or understand one another. Often times, we take one look at someone and think we know all about them based on where they are from, how they speak, how they dress, even their skin color. These
Music and the Gospel: “Sound of Silence,” Disturbed, 31st Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
“All who make little of themselves will be lifted up, but all who make much of themselves will be brought down (Luke 18.14).” It can be difficult to work hard achieving a goal or be part of a team only to find out we’ve been “benched.” Our pride and sense of self-righteousness can make us
Music and the Gospel: “All I Need,” Cape Cub, 30th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Wisdom 11.22–12.2; 2 Thessalonians 1.11–2.2; Luke 19.1-10 “When he reached the sycamore tree, Jesus looked up and said, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry down, I must stay at your house today.’” – Luke 19.5 The tax collector Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus. He is a seeker. When Jesus notices him in the tree, he
Gospel Reflection for October 23, 2016, 30th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Exodus 17.8-13; 2 Timothy 3.14-4.2; Luke 18.18 “Take up my case. Give me my just rights against my opponent.” – Luke 18.3 The widow in Jesus’ parable this Sunday is not asking for food and basic necessities. She is seeking her “just rights.” The word in Greek, ekdikeo, is not the usual term
Gospel Reflection for October 16, 2016, 29th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
As of 2013, roughly 65 million children (over half of them girls) were unable to continue school beyond an elementary grade level. This is especially common in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Many of the girls in these countries are actually expected to get married and start families at very young ages. Schools like the
Music and the Gospel: “Just Like Fire,” Pink, 29th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: 2 Kings 5.14-17; 2 Timothy 2.8-13; Luke 17.11-17 Jesus asked, “Weren’t ten lepers cleansed? Where are the other nine?” – Luke 17.17 In Sunday’s gospel only one of the ten lepers Jesus heals returns to thank Jesus. The passage prompts us to practice gratitude to God and to one another. Being alive calls
Gospel Reflection for October 9, 2016, 28th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
This Sunday’s gospel talks about Jesus’ encounter with ten lepers. They call to Jesus, ask him for compassion, and Jesus grants it. There is often more to a person than meets the eye. Sometimes a person doesn’t look or act “normal” by our standards, and we allow that to blind us to the beauty and
Sunday Readings: Wisdom 9.13-28; Philomen 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14.25-33 “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, spouse and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even life itself, cannot be my follower; whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14.26-27 Jesus continues on his journey
Gospel Reflection for October 2, 2016, 27th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
When Justin Timberlake sings out that he has sunshine in his pocket and a good song in his feet, he is speaking about what makes him move and feel. Like songs that help us share our feelings, our faith connects us to the people in our lives and the world around us. Faith in ourselves