Scripture Readings: Jeremiah 1.4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 13.4-13; Luke 4.21-30 “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4.21) These words begin Jesus’ inaugural sermon in Luke’s gospel. In last Sunday’s gospel Jesus read a passage from Isaiah that describes a prophet whom the Spirit anoints and appoints to bring good news to the […]
Gospel Reflection for January 31, 2016, 4th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Nehemiah 8.2-4, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12.12-30; Luke 1.1-4, 4.14-21 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; God has anointed and sent me to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty for captives, sight for the blind, release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord.” (Luke
Gospel Reflection for January 24, 2016, 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 62.1-5; 1 Corinthians 12.4-11; John 2.1-11 “His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever Jesus tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding 20 or 30 gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’” (John 2.5-7) The wedding setting in
Gospel Reflection for January 17, 2016, 2nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Scripture Readings: Isaiah 40.1-5, 9-11; Titus 2.11-14, 3.4-7; Luke 3.15-16, 21-22 “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3.16) After the exile in Babylon many people return to the land of Israel, rebuild their city and temple, and revive their worship. Then Greek and Roman conquerors arrive, threatening the temple
Gospel Reflection for January 10, 2016, Baptism of the Lord Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2.1-12 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We observe his star at its rising and have come to pay him h0mage.” (Matthew 2.2) The three kings stand for all of us who do not share the Jewish identity of Jesus and his first followers. Jesus
Gospel Reflection for January 3, 2016, Epiphany Read More »
Christmas Gospel Readings: Luke 2.1-14; Holy Family Readings: 1 Samuel 1.20-22,24-28; 1 John 3.1-2,21-24; Luke 2.41-52 “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 in.” (Luke 2.7) The child who is God’s joy for the
Gospel Reflection for December 25 & 27, 2015, Christmas/Holy Family Read More »
Sunday Readings: Micah 5.1-4; Hebrews 10.5-10; Luke 1.39-45 “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child of your womb.’” (Luke 1.41-42) The encounter between Mary and her kinswoman Elizabeth is spiritually electric. Each woman has responded to God alone.
Gospel Reflection for December 20, 2015, 4th Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Zephaniah 3.14-18; Philippians 4.4-7; Luke 3.10-18 “Crowds of people came to hear John the Baptist and seek the baptism of repentance he proclaimed. They asked ‘What shall we do?’ In reply John said, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’” (Luke 3.10-11)
Gospel Reflection for December 13, 2015, 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Baruch 5.1-9; Philippians 1.4-6, 8-11; Luke 3.1-6 When people heard John, they remembered what was written in the book of the prophet Isaiah. 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
Gospel Reflection for December 6, 2015, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 33.14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3.12-4.2; Luke 21.25-28, 34-36 “Stay watchful.” (Luke 21.36) Advent begins with a gospel that imagines Jesus coming in glory. The gospel fairly froths with frightening images. Scary gospels can hardly worry us more than our everyday headlines and breaking news. Refugees swarm north across border after border, seeking a
Gospel Reflection for November 29, 2015, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »