Sunday Readings: 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8-12, 14-16; Romans 16.25-27; Luke 1.26-38 “Here I am, God’s servant. Let it happen to me as you say.” – Luke 1.38 Mary, whose body becomes home to God, responds three times in Luke’s story of her call. Three times the angel Gabriel, God’s messenger, speaks to her. To the angel’s greeting, “Greetings, favored one, God is […]
Gospel Reflection for December 20, 2020 – 4th Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 61.1-2, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24; John 1.6-8, 19-28 John himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. “I baptize with water. Among you stand one whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” –
Gospel Reflection for December 15, 2020 – 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3.8-14; Mark 1.1-8 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare
Gospel Reflection for December 6, 2020 – 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Ezekiel 34.1-12,15-17; 1 Corinthians 15.20-26, 28; Matthew 25.31-46 “Holy One, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you were a stranger and welcome you or naked and give your clothing? When did we see you sick or in
Gospel Reflection for November 22, 2020 – Feast of Christ the King Read More »
Scripture Readings: Proverbs 31.10-13,19-20, 30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5.1-6; Matthew 25.14-30 A man going on a journey summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them, according to the abilities of each. To one, he gave five talents; to a second, he gave two talents; to a third, one talent. Immediately the servant who received five talents
Gospel Reflection for November 15, 2020 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Wisdom 6.12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18; Matthew 25.1-13 “The reign of God can be likened to ten young women who took their lamps and went out to welcome a bridegroom, five were wise and five were foolish.” – Matthew 25.1-2 For us who live in the age of electricity, Sunday’s parable doesn’t make its point
Gospel Reflection for November 8, 2020 – 32 Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Revelation 7.2-4,9-14; 1 John 3.1-3; Matthew 5.1-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit; the reign of God belongs to them.” – Matthew 5.3 The beatitudes turn our assumptions about whom God blesses upside down. The eight sayings challenge us to live in ways quite contrary to profit-motivated values. The beatitudes expand in detail what the
Gospel Reflection for November 1, 2020 – Feast of All Saints Read More »
Sunday Readings: Exodus 22.20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1.5-10; Matthew 22.34-40 “Teacher, which commandment of the law is the greatest?” – Matthew 22.36 In the gospels of the fall Sundays, Jesus inhabits the temple courts, teaching and disputing questions with other Jewish teachers and officials. The issues — tenants, taxes, and this Sunday, which commandment of the 613 is greatest? As
Gospel Reflection for October 25, 2020 – 30th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Scripture: Isaiah 45.1,4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1.1-5; Matthew 22.15-21 “Tell us, what is your opinion, is it lawful to pay the census tax to the emperor or not?” – Matthew 22.17 Pharisees and Herodians ask Jesus whether it is right to pay taxes to Caesar, the Roman emperor who claims to be divine. It’s a trick
Gospel Reflection for October 18, 2020 – 29th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 25.6-10; Philippians 4.12-14,19-20; Matthew 22.1-10 “The banquet is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out onto the main streets and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” – Matthew 22.9 The meal Jesus describes in Sunday’s gospel parable is more than the lavish dinner Luke describes in his gospel. Matthew
Gospel Reflection for October 11, 2020 – 28th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »