Gospel Reflection for March 22, 2015, 5th Sunday of Lent
Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 31.31-34; Hebrews 5.7-9; John 12.22-33 “The hour has come in which the Son of Man will be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it will be bear much fruit.” (John 12.23-24) In John’s
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Music and the Gospel: ” Beyond Me,” TobyMac; 5th Sunday of Lent
It may seem like just yesterday we received ashes on our foreheads. Now we are nearing the end of Lent. We hear Jesus utters the words: “I am troubled now. Yet what should I say, save me from this hour?” Even in this moment of inner turmoil, Jesus understands his clarity of purpose; he prays
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Gospel Reflection for March 15, 2015, 4th Sunday of Lent
Sunday Readings: 2 Chronicles 36.14-16, 19-23; Ephesians 2.4-10; John 3.14-21 “For God so loved the world that God gave God’s only begotten Son that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have life forever.” (John 3.16) Jesus’ mission is not to condemn the world but to save it. He calls us who
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Music and the Gospel: “Greater,” MercyMe; 4th Sunday of Lent
One of the most recognizable verses from the Bible is central to Sunday’s gospel. “For God so loved the world that God gave the only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3.16). After this hope-filled declaration, the gospel contrasts light and darkness. The song
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Music and the Gospel: “Messengers” Lecrae feat. For King & Country; 3rd Sunday of Lent
When we hear about the life and ministry of Jesus, we hear that he healed sick people, spent time with children, and exuded love and mercy toward his disciples. Perhaps that is why the gospel for the third Sunday of Lent is jarring. After all, it shows Jesus denouncing what is unjust and throwing out
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Gospel Reflection for March 8, 2015, 3rd Sunday of Lent
Sunday Readings: Exodus 20.1-17; 1 Corinthians 1.22-25; John 2.13-25 “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” (John 2.16) Jesus’ cleansing the temple calls us to clean our houses this Lent — to examine our hearts. Our fast-paced, productive lives can erode our relationships with God, make us feel like cogs in the wheels of commerce
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Music and the Gospel: “Heart Like You,” Love & The Outcome; 2nd Sunday of Lent
Imagine you are alongside Peter, James, and John. When you enter into the Gospel reading for this Sunday, you are about to follow Jesus up the mountain. What does it mean to you to witness Jesus transfigured, brilliant, dazzling? In this time of Lent, we can sometimes be so consumed by somber, penitential reverence that
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Gospel Reflection for March 1, 2015, 2nd Sunday of Lent
Sunday Readings: Genesis 22.1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18; Romans 8.31-34; Mark 9.2-10 “Suddenly looking around, Peter, James, and John no longer saw anyone with them — only Jesus.” (Mark 9.8) The Orthodox Church sees in the transfiguration what the whole of Christian life is about — transformation into Christ. Prayer leads to transforming communion with God.
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Gospel Reflection for February 22, 2015, 1st Sunday of Lent
Sunday Readings: Genesis 9.8-15; 1 Peter 3.18-22; Mark 1.12-15 “Immediately after his baptism the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert.” (Mark 1.12) Every Lent we tend to own up to our self-destructive habits and recommit to become more kind, loving, and prayerful, to say nothing of healthier. What if it is our affections that pull
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