Gospel Reflection for September 9, 2018, 23rd Sunday Ordinary Time Sunday Readings: Isaiah 35.4-7, James 2.1-5, Mark 7.31-37 “Ephphatha, Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus order them to tell no one, but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.” – […]
Gospel Reflection for September 9, 2018, 23rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 4.1-2,6-8; James 1.17-18,21-22,27; Mark 7.1-8,14-15, 21-23 “You forsake the commandment of God and hold to human tradition…It is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come.” – Mark 7.8, 21 Rules tend to multiply, and traditions accumulate. The Pharisees in Sunday’s gospel question why Jesus’ disciples do not follow Jewish
Gospel Reflection for September 2, 2018, 22nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Joshua 24.1-2, 15-17, 18; Ephesians 5.21-32; john 6.60-69 “The words I have spoken are spirit and life. But there are some among you who do not believe,” Jesus says. Many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said the the twelve: “Do you also want to leave?” Simon
Gospel Reflection for August 26, 2018, 21st Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Proverbs 9.1-6; Ephesians 5.15-20; John 6.56-57 “Those who eat this bread and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”
Gospel Reflection for August 18, 2018, 20th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: 1 Kings 19. 4-8; Ephesians 4.30-5.2, John 6.41-51 “The Jews began to murmur about Jesus because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven” – John 6.41 Within the crowd following Jesus is a group whom the gospel writer calls “the Jews.” They murmur. They question how Jesus can be from
Gospel Reflection for August 12, 2018, 19th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Exodus 16.2-4, 12-15; Ephesians 4.17,20-24; John 6.24-35 “What must we do to perform the works of God?” – John 6.28 Jesus interests the crowd that he fed the day before in working for the food that endures for eternal life. Eternal life is the lure. That is why they ask, “What must we
Gospel Reflection for August 5, 2018, 18th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Gospel Reflection for July 29, 2018, 17th Sunday Ordinary Time Sunday Readings: 2 Kings 4.42-44; Ephesians 4.1-6; John 6.1-15 Jesus saw a large crowd coming toward him and said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat? He said this to test him, for he knew what he was going
Gospel Reflection for July 29, 2018, 17th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 23.1-6; Ephesians 2.13-18; Mark 6.30-34 “As he went ashore, Jesus saw a great crowd. His heart is moved with pity for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many things.” – Mark 6.34 In Sunday’s gospel the twelve return from the mission to preach and
Gospel Reflection for July 22, 2018, 16th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Amos 7.12-15; Ephesians 1.2-14; Mark 6.7-13 “So the twelve went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” – Mark 6.12-13 Jesus sends the twelve men disciples out to become one with the people in villages near Nazareth, to
Gospel Reflection for July 15, 2018, 15th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Ezekiel 2.2-5; 2 Corinthians 12.7-10; Mark 6.1-6 “Jesus was amazed at their unbelief.” – Mark 6.6 When Jesus preaches in his hometown synagogue, his neighbors experience his astonishing wisdom but quickly dismiss his gifts. Their certainty and cynicism quickly tame their amazement at his preaching and healing. Jesus is a carpenter and no
Gospel Reflection for July 8, 2018, 14th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »