Sunday Readings: Numbers 6.2-27; Galatians 4.4-7; Luke 2.16-21 “Mary pondered all these words in her heart.” – Luke 2.19 Sunday’s gospel about the shepherds visit to Mary’s child and offers only a single sentence about her. That sentence turns on the word pondered, in Greek the word if symballein. Ballein means to throw. Literally the
Gospel Reflection for January 1, 2017, Mary, Mother of God Read More »
Christmas Readings: Isaiah 9.1-6; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20 “While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have to child. Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.” – Luke
Gospel Reflection for December 25, 2016, Christmas Read More »
When The Shelters’ sing out about rebel hearts, they are describing the theme of this week’s Spirit. This theme is about caring for others, being a caregiver and showing compassion for those around you. Whether you care for an elderly person, a child, or someone with a disability, People have remarkable ways of living that
Music and the Gospel: “Rebel Heart,” The Shelters, 4th Sunday Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 7.10-14; Romans 1.1-7; Matthew 1.18-24 “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother was engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, an upright man unwilling to expose her to
Gospel Reflection for December 18, 2016, 4th Sunday Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 35.1-6,10; James 5.7-10; Matthew 11.2-11 John the Baptist sends messengers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one to come or should we expect someone else?” Jesus answers, “Tell John what you hear and see: the blind can see; the lame can walk; lepers are cured; the deaf hear; the dead are raised
Gospel Reflection for December 11, 2016, 3rd Sunday Advent Read More »
This week’s Spirit focuses on open-mindedness and communication, on discovering what we have in common with people who hold different beliefs, come from different cultures, and have life experiences unlike our own. We live in a global world with social media and the internet at our fingertips. We need to learn how to build bridges
Music and the Gospel: “Million Reasons,” Lady Gaga, 3rd Sunday Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 11.1-10; Romans 15.4-9; Matthew 3.1-12 Two family trees figure in Sunday’s readings: the children of Abraham and Sarah hear God’s call, go to a new land, and await a child who will be the first of descendants as countless as the stars. Faith in God’s promise is their DNA. The descendants of
Gospel Reflection for December 4, 2016, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
The holidays pull us in many directions. Sometimes we don’t recognize the people most important to us who love us, shelter us, feed us until something forces us to slow down. Waiting can give us time to remember what and who we count on and how fortunate we really are. Tim McGraw’s song “Humble and
Music and the Gospel: “Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 2.1-5, Romans 13.11-14, Matthew 24.37-44 Thanksgiving gatherings are troubling many folks after the election. The gospel that begins the church year wakes us up to love one another. The gospel is about Jesus’ coming again, an event that seems far off, but the gospel uses the flood in the time of Noah
Gospel Reflection for November 27, 2016, 1st Sunday Advent Read More »
Anger is a powerful emotion. Sometimes it turns a negative situation into a positive. It can give us strength to push through a difficult or painful situation. On the other hand, anger and resentment can lead us to lash out and say or do things we don’t mean, inflicting our own pain on someone else.
Music and the Gospel: “Fire,” Barns Courtney, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »