Sunday Readings: Zephaniah 3.14-18; Philippians 4.4-7; Luke 3.10-18 The crowd asks John the Baptist, “What should we do?” Let people with two coats give to people who have none. People who have lots of food should do the same.” – Luke 3.10-11 Crowds are listening to John the Baptist scold his hearers because they come seeking baptism, […]
Gospel Reflection for December 16, 2018, 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Baruch 5.1-9; Philippians 1.4-6, 8-11; Luke 3.1-6 “A herald’s voice in the desert cries out: ‘Make ready a road for God. Clear a straight path for God. Every valley shall be filled; every mountain and hill shall be leveled.’” – Luke 3.4-5 John the Baptist heralds the turning point in history by which much of the
Gospel Reflection for December 9, 2018, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Gospel Reflection for December 2, 2018, 1st Sunday of Advent Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 33.14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3.12-4.2; Luke 21.25-28, 34-36 “Stay watchful, praying for strength to escape what will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21.36 Advent begins the Church year with a gospel that fairly froths with frightful images. The gospel
Gospel Reflection for December 2, 2018, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
Gospel Reflection for June 24, 2018, Birth of John the Baptist Sunday Readings: Isaiah 49.1-6; Acts 13.22-26; Luke 1.57-66, 80 On the eighth day Elizabeth and Zachariah came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after Zachariah after his father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.”
Gospel Reflection for June 24, 2018, Birth of John the Baptist Read More »
Scripture Readings: Acts 3.13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2.1-5; Luke 24.35-48 “Thus it was written and so it happened that the Messiah is to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. In his name repentance and forgiveness of sins are to be preached to the nations.” – Luke 24.46 Jesus’ crucifixion ends the
Gospel Reflection for April 15, 2018, 3rd Sunday of Easter Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9.1-6; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20 “Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2.7 Jesus’ birth story in Luke’s gospel anticipates Jesus’ whole life and emphasizes his mission to
Gospel Reflection for December 25th, Christmas Read More »
Sunday Readings: 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8-12, 14-16; Romans 26.25-27; Luke 1.26-38 “Nothing is impossible with God.” – Luke 1.37 In Mary, the Most High overshadows and dwells in a human person, intensifying God’s presence among us. The same God who created all that is makes the impossible come to be in Mary, who is young
Gospel Reflection for December 24, 2017, 4th Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 25.6-10; Philippians 4.12-14,19-20; Matthew 22.1-10 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have
Gospel Reflection for October 15, 2017, 28th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Acts 2.14,22-23; 1 Peter 1.17-21; Luke 24.13-35 “Stay with us.” – Luke 24.29 The walk to Emmaus in Sunday’s gospel becomes a liturgy on foot for two of Jesus’ disciples. They talk about the scriptures (liturgy of the word) and break bread together (liturgy of the Eucharist). As they tell how Jesus took
Gospel Reflection for April 30, 2017, 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
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 »