In 2006, a small, one-room schoolhouse was the center of a major tragedy. A lone gunman entered the school and killed five students, injured five more, and forever changed the lives of many others. Tragedies such as this happen too often. What is sometimes surprising are the number of voices that call out for compassion, […]
Music and the Gospel: “Love Wins,” Carrie Underwood, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 45.1,4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1.1-5; Matthew 22.15-21 “Whose image is on the coin and whose inscription?” – Matthew 22.20 In Sunday’s gospel Jesus confronts a worldview about who images God. Jesus insists that we cannot keep separate our obligations to God and those to government. God blesses and calls us to integrate
Gospel Reflection for October 22, 2017, 29th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Sirach 27.30-28.7; Romans 14.7-9; Matthew 18.21-35 Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” – Matthew 18.21 We know Jesus’ answer to Peter’s question. Seventy times seven times. That’s always. In the Our Father we ask God to
Gospel Reflection for September 17, 2017, 24th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Acts 2.42-47; 1 Peter 1.3-9; John 20.19-31 Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” – John 20.21-22 On the evening of the first Easter,
Gospel Reflection for April 23, 2017, 2nd Sunday of Easter Read More »
Sometimes we make risky decisions. I don’t need to study for a test. I stay out a little later than I tell my parents. I decide that one drink at a party won’t hurt anything. Then I get busted and have two explain myself to those I respect and care about. Or, on the other
Music and the Gospel: “Beamish Boy,” Daunt, Christ the King Read More »
Sunday Readings: Exodus 32.7-11, 13-14; 1 Timothy 1.12-17; Luke 15.1-32 “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep…..Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.” (Luke 15.6, 9) Losing, finding, rejoicing — that is the pattern in each of the three parables Jesus tells in chapter 15. Who doesn’t bother to
Gospel Reflection for September 11, 2016, 24th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Acts 5.12-16; Revelation 1.9-11, 12-13, 17-19; John 20.19-31 Jesus breathed on his disciples and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20.22-23) Bible scholar Sandra Schneiders observes that the Greek word translated as retained above or sometimes bound
Gospel Reflection for April 3, 2016, 2nd Sunday of Easter Read More »
What’s more Catholic than fish dinners? Did you know the fish is an ancient Christian symbol? The word for fish in Greek is ichtus, pronounced ick-toose. The word fish in Greek letters look like: The first Christians, who were sometimes persecuted for their faith in Jesus, made an acrostic out of this word. In an
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 43.16-21; Philippians 3.8-14; John 8.1-11 “Woman, where are they all? Has no one condemned you?” (John 8.10) Only John’s gospel tells the story of the hypocrites who use a woman they catch in adultery to trap Jesus. He can reject the law of Moses that requires stoning or break the Roman law
Gospel Reflection for March 13, 2016, 5th Sunday of Lent Read More »
All relationships start out on a foundation of trust. We have a right to feel safe and secure. If we don’t, the relationship becomes toxic. Breaking trust changes not only how we view ourselves and others, but it can also leave permanent scars. Sometimes we have people we can turn to, people who will support
Music and the Gospel: “Elastic Heart,” Sia, 5th Sunday of Lent Read More »