Sunday Readings: Deuteronomy 18.15-20; 1 Corinthians 7.32-35; Mark 1.21-28 Just then there was in the synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” (Mark 1.23-24) All of us have the work of discerning the spirits that […]
Gospel Reflection for February 1, 2015, 4th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Jonah 3.1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7.29-31; Mark 1.14-20 Jesus saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” (Mark 1.16-17) Mark writes the first gospel to call a new generation to faith in
Gospel Reflection for January 25, 2015, 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: 1 Samuel 3.3-10,19; 1 Corinthians 6.13-15,17-20; John 1.35-42 John the Baptist points out Jesus to two of his disciples, Andrew and another. They follow Jesus, who turns, sees them, and ask what they are looking for. Andrew said to him, “Teacher, where are you staying?” Jesus said to them, “Come and see.”
Gospel Reflection for January 18, 2015, 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 55.1-11; 1 John 5.1-9; Mark 1.7-11 “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.” Mark 7.11 Mark’s gospel, the first to be written, begins with Jesus the adult, God’s beloved Son and servant, one with the Father and Spirit. Baptized Christians share Jesus’ identity. We are God’s beloved, whom
Gospel Reflection for January 11, 2015, Baptism of the Lord Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.2-3,5-6; Matthew 2.1-12 “The star which they had observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the child was.” Matthew 2.9 Matthew’s stories of Jesus’ birth don’t mention the manger, the swaddling clothes, the shepherds, or angels singing in the
Gospel Reflection for January 4, 2015, Epiphany Read More »
Christmas Readings: Isaiah 9.1-6; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20 “The angel said, ‘You have nothing to fear. I bring you good news, a great joy to be shared by the whole people. For this day in David’s city a savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. Let this be a sign to
Gospel Reflection for December 25, 2014, Christmas/Holy Family Read More »
Sunday Readings: 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8-12, 14-16; Romans 16.25-27; Luke 1.26-38 “The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph of the house of David. The girl’s name was Mary.” Luke 1.26-27 In Mary, the Most High will overshadow and dwell
Gospel Reflection for December 21, 2014, 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 “Among you stands one whom you do not know.” John 1.26 John the Baptist refuses to apply people’s expectations of the messiah to himself. He anticipates one greater than he is coming. He testifies to the light. He insists that “Among you stands one whom
Gospel Reflection for December 14, 2014, 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Scripture Readings: Isaiah 40.1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3.8-14; Mark 1.1-8 “One more powerful than I will come after me.” Mark 1.7 Like the prophet Elijah, John the Baptist haunt the wilderness. Like Elijah, who discovered God speaking not in storms and lightning but in silence, the Baptist in the silence of his wilderness life
Gospel Reflection for December 7, 2014, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 63.16-17,19; 64.2-7; Corinthians 1.3-9; Mark 13.33-37 “Stay awake, for you do not know when the owner of the house will come–in the evening, or at midnight, at cockcrow or dawn.” Mark 13.35 Jesus’ tiny parable calls us to stay awake throughout the Church year. There are doorways all the time
Gospel Reflection for November 30, 2014, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »